Legal Lane

Twitter!

2010-07-12T14:39:00.003-05:00

It has been a month of Sundays since I have last updated this blog, and the only reason I even thought about it again was because my new company “forced” (read: asked politely) me to sign up for Twitter – which is something I had been avoiding like the plague. After a few dozen tweets, I thought, “Hey, I wonder what ever happened to LegalLane?” So, I logged in, and it was like coming home after being away for a really long time. The look, the feel, the unbridled ability to say whatever is on my mind – all came flooding back to me … as did all of the memories from law school, old friends who I have not seen in ages, studying for the Florida Bar Exam, getting my first legal job, winning my first trial, getting my second legal job, etc. I am not sure if I will be writing anything anytime soon, but I might. Who knows? It could be just what the doctor ordered. In the meantime, if you have stumbled into this site, feel free to check out my twitter account: @vanessajennings ….

Summertime in the Magic City

2008-09-16T18:44:00.004-05:00

Email Exchange

2008-09-15T19:28:00.004-05:00

A dear friend and I had the following "Email Exchange" today because we are in a HOT debate over whether or not free range is the way to go. Personally, I like the idea of my cow wandering around the open field grazing at will before the farmer sends him "packing." But Randy seems to believe that I am a little too soft. So, when I came across the following cartoon about boycotting "factor farmed" animals in the Onion, I thought immediately of Ran (because that would be his reaction). So I sent him the cartoon, and he send me his reply.

Me: Can fix stupid ...

Randy: *Here is Napoleon Dynamite sporting your theory ... because you can't fix stupid.

Customer Service

2008-09-06T13:22:00.001-05:00

A few weekends ago I had to run all around North Miami finding party supplies for work (why, because I lost the World’s fastest game of “Not It” ever played, but that is a story for another day). As I was running out the door to find decorations for the themed Welcome Party for the new lawyers, my friend Seth called to see if I could watch his four-year-old daughter, Emma. Being completely in love with Emma, I said sure – but she would need to accompany me on my sojourn. And seeing as how Emma loves shopping, it was a match made in heaven.

As we were driving into the depths of Hialeah to a party store, Emma spots a Mc Donald’s and being the headstrong and determined child that she is, she asks, or rather demands in a sweet voice, that we stop for a “Nila Take,” or in non-four-year-old English, a vanilla shake. Being overly accommodating, I pull into the parking and start to steer into the drive thru line, but, no, Emma wants to go inside. So, inside we go.

Emma walks boldly up to the counter and places her order, which I have to translate to the half-dead person behind the counter. The guy walks over to the shake machine and dispenses the vanilla yummyness into a small cup. But then before he hands it to me, he places a McFlurry top (the plastic top with a HUGE hole in the middle) and spoon into the cup. As he hands it to me, the following conversation takes place:

Me: can I please have a flat lid and a straw?
Worker:
Me: It is for the little girl (pointing at Emma)
Worker: Um …
Me: You know the lid for the cokes??? May I please have one?
Worker: But I gave you a spoon.
Me: Yes, but she is too little to have the spoon – she will make a mess.
Emma: Will not! I want da take, Peeezzze.
Me: Please, may I just have a flat lid and straw.
Worker: … Whatever …
Me: Thank you and have a good day
Worker:

As Princess Emma and I walked out, hand-in-hand, I looked back at the worker and wondered whether this was pure apathy, or if he truly had no idea what I was asking for because he was stoned/mentally challenged/didn’t speak English, or if he was just F**king with me. I honestly hope it was the last one, but something tells me that is not the case. Thank the Lord for the EEOC.

Pitbull

2008-08-30T15:46:00.002-05:00

The other weekend a couple of friends and I went to South Beach for drinks at the Delano, and after a few drinks we decided to take a walk and people watch (or, as we predicted, see a few of the PD’s defendants before the made their way to our courtroom the following Monday). And as usual, we ended up seeing someone famous (other than Brooke Hogan).

We saw Pitbull and his entourage leaving one of the myriad of clubs SOBCH has to offer, and I was slightly shocked that of the five of us, only two had actually heard of him. Though I am not a huge fan, I do like Pitbull and his music, but this might have something to do with my cousin being a huge fan (growing up in Dade, she actually knows him and has hung out with him before and after he made it big outside of the 3-0-5). So, to introduce Pitbull to some who have not had the pleasure of the MIA Rapper, I have included a few Youtube videos for ya'll (because I am nice like that).

Fatherly Advice:

2008-08-10T00:53:00.008-05:00

This time last week, a lovely friend extended an extraordinary proposal my way – a job in Vegas. Yes, VEGAS! The job was at highly reputable West Coast firm that has a small Vegas outfit. As he began telling about all of the jobs “perks,” I began to get very excited: I would make quite a bit more than I do now, yearly bonuses are real – not just a fictional probability, I would be a heartbeat away from the Strip, and there was the constant possibility of endless new adventures. These notions added a little spring in my step, while dollar signs were dancing in my head. The opportunity sounded too good to be true.

So, I took a step back and reexamined the situation – and I became excited all over again (even with the prospect of taking another state’s bar exam). It was then that I knew I had to call the Father for some real-world advice. I picked up the phone and called my dad at work, and told his secretary (a.k.a., my mom) that I needed to speak with the boss.

It took all of ten minutes to tell my dad all of the information I was given about the opportunity, plus some additional information that I gathered about the job and the firm itself. Then, for the next hour, my father proceeded to give me the best advice I have been given to date. Here is the gist of what he said:

1. Know your plan and follow it: I was taught from a young age that in life long-term goals and plans are needed. For the last few years my plan has been to work for the State Attorney’s Office for the three-year-commitment period, then become a Federal Prosecutor or a work for a police department practicing forfeiture law, and then eventual open up my own criminal defense practice. Now, my dad has never been a huge fan of the plan (mostly because he had his own plans for me), but he understood them and supported it to the best of his ability. So when I told him about working for a law firm in Vegas that practices civil law – he said, “Does this further your plan or does it frustrate your plan? It seems to me that this is taking what you have said you wanted from your second day of law school and quintessentially throwing it out the window because something better and shinier came along.” He went on to conclude that just because the path you are on is difficult and rocky, does not mean that you abandon it for the first “seemingly” better opportunity that comes your way.

2. Work hard, do the right thing, and be a good person, and the money will follow: this ties in with the first piece of advice seamlessly. For even though the path to your goals/plan are difficult, by working hard, choosing to do the right thing even if it is not the easiest option, and being a good person (in general) you will find success. And when you find success, the money will find you.

3. If you are not having sex, you aren’t doing anything: funnily enough, this was actually the first piece of advice that he gave me, and when he proffered it, he told me that my great-grandmother gave him this worldly piece of advice on the same day that she offered him the two other morsels of truth mentioned about. Needless to say, Dad said this advice is as true today as it was back in my great-grandmother’s day, and with that, he quickly moved on to another topic.

After the long, yet motivational, discussion – I began to see the Vegas opportunity in a whole new light. So, though it was fun for a few short days to picture the fun and excitement of moving to the Sin City – I am staying in the Magic City for a little while longer.

Redhead Quotes

2008-07-31T00:36:00.005-05:00

"Of course, part of the problem with redheads is that there aren't enough of them. They make up just two percent of the population. So they're pretty extraordinary. Redheads are too numerous to be ignored, too rare to be accepted." Grant McCracken

"I love being a redhead. It's a rare thing, so I think there's a bond between redheads." Laura Prepon

"Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead." Lucille Ball

"If you want trouble... find yourself a redhead."

"You'd find it easier to be bad than good if you had red hair," said Anne reproachfully. "People who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is." -Anne to Marilla in Anne of Green Gables

"Blondes are noticed but redheads are never forgotten."-Unknown

"Please just call me red-headed and forgive me."-Anne to Gilbert in Anne's House of Dreams

"Nobody who has known a redhead can say that redheads are tame. Even shy redheads have a burning spark of adventure inside them. Opinionated, hotheaded, logical, loyal, friendly, reserved, whatever the redheads' personality, you can bet they'll have SCADS of it!"-Review of The Redhead Encyclopedia

"I do believe my redheadedness plays a huge part in who I am. If I were a blonde or brunette, I would be an entirely different person."

"We redheads are a minority, we tend to notice each other - you know, and notice our identity."-Juliann Moore, actress

"All throughout history, from Reuben to Robbins, redheads have been recognized as a rare breed. Blondes may have more fun, brunettes may be brainier, but when it comes down to raw energy, creativity, and personality ... you just can't beat a redhead well, you can, but beware ... she'll probably beat you back!"-Redheads Unlimited

"While the rest of the species is descended from apes, redheads are descended from cats."-Mark Twain

"Ruadh gu brath!"Scots gaelic for "Red heads forever!"

"It's not the hair that turns men on, it's the spirit that redheads exude."

"When a fellow has a home and a dear, little, red-haired wife in it what more need he ask of life?"-Gilbert in Anne's House of Dreams

"Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but it takes a real man to handle a redhead."

"Out of the ash I rise with my red hair, and eat men like air." -Sylvia Plath

"I used to hate my red hair, but now I love the attention I get with it. I think that very smart, daring men love red hair, and I love that in a man."

"Redheads have been nicknamed demons by my associates and I because of what they can do to the human heart. Best thing that's hit the Earth, ever. Never had too much luck with them though. Advice is accepted...."

"The attraction to redheads is a lot like being addicted to drugs."

"Redheaded people are highly intelligent. They have many admiers, and marry young." - unnamed London scientist

**thanks to another Red for the quotes!**

Love my TiVo, but hate the Oxygen Channel

2008-07-26T04:22:00.004-05:00

After a hellish day of reading way too much law-related nonsense, I was positively elated to discover TiVo, the love of my life, had recorded an old episode of Absolutely Fabulous (just for me) last night.

TiVo, my love, how did you know what I needed after such a long day?

So, with a bowl of freshly popped, air-popped popcorn in hand, I stretch out on my new cozy loveseat to watch one of my favorite shows displaying British humor laced with drunken debauchery. I press the play button and am almost giddy with delight when all of a sudden … the utter ridiculousness of Torri & Dean fills my TV screen. SERIOUSLY??? Tori Spelling??? WHY???

Damn you Oxygen Channel! Not only does of your programming blow chunks, but you mislabel an episode of Torri & Dean talking about dog poop with Absolutely Fabulous? How is that possible, they are not even in the same league? Seriously, Oxygen, I hate you. You hear me? HATE!

Personal To-Do List

2008-07-24T00:35:00.000-05:00

Okay, to say that I have slacked at updating this lovely blog is akin to saying that Pol Pot killed a few people – well, maybe not exactly, but you get the idea. So, what have I been doing? Honestly, the list is so long and tediously boring that it is not worth mentioning because mostly my absence is due to work – and that is just not a fun topic to talk about.

Thus, I have decided to tell you a conclusion that I have come to over the past three or four months: it is critical to not only know what you want to achieve in your career – but you must also know what you would like to achieve in your personal life as well.

After a few months of being (back) in the work force, I have come to the realization that life cannot be all about work-related goals because that does not create a well-balanced life, and thus, personal goals are also needed. For without dreams and desires, life is stagnate and uninteresting and who wants to live that way willingly? Not I. So the question then became, what the hell do I want to achieve in my personal life besides building a family one day? After days, weeks, and months I came up with a list of things that I would like to achieve before I shuffle off this mortal coil (and there is nothing an organization freak loves more than a good to-do list).

My list is in no particular order and it reflects a gambit of activities and goals I desire to accomplish throughout my life:

Skydive
Learn to sail
Learn to knit
Buy my own house
Run for elected office
Own a condo on the beach
Learn to shoot a cross-bow
Teach someone illiterate to read
Travel across the country in an RV
Obtain a concealed weapons permit
Learn to play a decent game of golf
Spend a month or more in a second or third-world country volunteering
Travel the world – stepping foot on at least six contents (I will let you guess which one I am willing to forgo visiting – though if I ever get the chance to go to Antarctica, I would go)

Granted, most of this are non-altruistic in nature and I am aware that I might need to work on that, but for now, I like my little list. And I am even excited to start ticking them off one-by-one.

The Start of Something New – means the end of something older.

2008-03-09T23:21:00.000-05:00

Sigh. I have had an interesting few weeks, and over these past weeks I have come to a few conclusions. One of these oh-so-grand conclusions is that I am going to be posting very limitedly on Legal Lane for now on. There are several important reasons for this (well, really one). But do not be disheartened fellow readers because I have already started a new and exciting (okay, just new) blog somewhere in the nether reaches of the Internet.

So, if you are a loyal reader and would like to know where to find me, please email me at lanejennings@gmail.com and I will forward you the address. Otherwise, check back every few weeks for a new and interesting post about the working life of a new lawyer.

Valentine’s Day!

2008-02-15T10:47:00.011-05:00

Today was a 100% study free day, and not by choice. The morning started off on the wrong foot and proceeded to get worse until about 4:30pm. Basically, anything that could go wrong did: I some how slept through my alarm and did not get up until 11am, I woke to find five emails in my inbox that required instant attention and some form of affirmative action on my part, broke a dish as I was cleaning up from “brunch,” deleted an important phone message, and realized that I had forgotten to email about my parking decal for work next month and now I might not get one.

However, around 4:30, as I gave up all hopes of getting anything accomplished, the doorbell rang with a flower delivery. Adam had sent me a bouquet of flowers, and this brought a smile to my face.

Adam's Flowers!

Then, the mailman came up the walk a few minutes later with a card and package from my parents – this was also when I noticed that it was a breathtakingly beautiful day outside.

Gifts from my entire family: a Tiffany's ring from mom, and then chocolate, a spa-day package, & a Victoria's Secert gift card from Aunt Susie and Uncle Hector!

Sunshine and Blue Skies!

After opening up my sweet card from my mommy and the gift in an infamous blue box, I got ready for dinner with my family, which turned out to be a completely amazing meal. My Aunt pulled out all of the stops … Grandma’s china, the family pasta sauce receipt, homemade stuffed shells, antipasti salad, freshly made garlic rolls, homemade bruschetta, William-Soma red velvet cakes with homemade icing, and hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Very yummy indeed!

Of course, after dinner, the family spent at least an hour chatting and telling random stories from the past week - which is always an amusing adventure. Then, Brianna let out the new puppy, Hero. Being a puppy, he likes to run around and cause havoic, all in the name of fun. She then proceeded to take my camera and take random shots of him, her, the cat, the other dogs, the house - basically anything and everything that would stand still.

Hero before and after being let loose.

(Her impression of "Flavor Flav" ... scary, very scary)

Though the day started off poorly, my family and loved ones quickly made it turn around. And this is why I love them so – no matter what, they let us know how special and blessed we are to have one another.

Monsoon Season:

2008-02-13T13:21:00.008-05:00

Um, someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that this is the “sunshine state” and that Miami does not get monsoons: hurricanes, yes; monsoons, no.

The wind and rain has been CRAZY here for the last two days. We are talking gusts that are equal to those of some tropical storms and heavy downpours. Granted, other than the last few days we have had an idyllic winter (highs in the upper seventies, low in the low seventies), so I should not be complaining. However, driving the 30 minutes to Barbri on I-75 and I-595 is dreadful. The gusts are strong enough to cause smaller cars to be “pushed” into the neighboring lanes. Plus, all of the out-of-staters are driving in the center lane at very slow speeds, which causes the crazy Florida drives to have to swerve around them (because rain or no rain, we here like to go fast at all times) – which makes for an eventful and slightly stressing time during the rush-hour commute.

BUT even worse – all of the rain means no golfers on the golf course, and this means I have to wake up to an alarm clock instead of men yelling “FOUR” and hearing a golf ball slam onto the roof above my head at 7:30 in the morning. Which I found annoying at first, but now I look forward to it because it makes me laugh that no matter how many times Mr. G or his son, who have a standing first Tee reservation, tries, his shot always veers too far to the left.

ANYWAY, here are some photos of the Florida “monsoon.”

Notice all of the standing water on the course.

You can't really tell in this picture, but it is raining so hard that it is beating down the leaves of the tree. Normally the tree is perkier.

Flooded Front Walk.

The sand trap has turned into a sand bath ... there is about two inches of standing water in it.

Water POURING off the roof

Running Away!

2008-02-08T12:11:00.000-05:00

Below is a link to a British short film (3.5 mins) called, "Goodbye to the Normals." It portrays a young boy, Magnus, who has decided to run away to America. It appears that his mom has left it to his father to try and talk him out of leaving, but, like most redhead children, there is no changing his mind. And it is because of this that I am in love with "Magnus." I picture my future children doing very much the same thing, except I imagine them running off to Europe instead.

I love the short film even more because I can relate to Magnus. I tried to run away once when I was six. I was going to Canada to see snow and make a snowman. I packed my bags, made a snack, and told my mom I was off. She said, "okay" and let me waltz right out the front door. So off I went.

I made it the mile it took to get to the entrance of my subdivision, and by the time I got there I was totally rethinking the whole running away idea. Right as I was about to turn around and walk back home, I saw my mom was already parked on the other side of the large, gated entrance with a sign the read, "Welcome to Canada Ms. Jennings." So I decided maybe home was not too bad after all, and climbed into my mom's jeep. Granted, after a getting me a snowcone and promising that I would be able to see snow sometime soon, she took away my TV privileges for the rest of the weekend. But it was almost worth it ...

Just Call Me "Legal Lane, J.D."

2008-01-25T02:08:00.000-05:00

I honestly cannot believe it. I am graduating law school in two days. Holy Shit!

I can recall all too clearly both orientation and my first day of law school. I remember walking into the “Classroom Building” (now called the Temple Building) with my two new roommates and finding three seats together in Inner Temple, plugging in our laptops, sipping our Beaner’s Coffee, and chatting with the guys behind us (both of whom transferred out by the Summer term). Then in walked a short little man, a man who would change my life by causing me to fall in love with criminal law and created this strong and deep desire to become a Judge in felony court – Judge Tavhonnen, I will forever love you.

Now, three years later I am about to say my good-byes to law school, Lansing, and Cooley. While what is waiting on the other side of the Bar Exam is brilliantly exciting, I am shocked to find myself sad to put an end to three of the best (and most daunting) years of my life.

Thankfully, I will not only take away a wonderful and practical legal education, but I am walking away with some of the best friends a girl, and future lawyer, could ever ask for.

Time

2008-01-02T12:18:00.000-05:00

Time, as per usual, has gotten away from me – and I have no idea where the time has gone. And now it seems that a new subchapter of my life is about to begin. But, before I open up that can of worms, I will give you the run down of the last few months:

Person distracting me from posting: Adam
School: complete … It is now Legal Lane, J.D.
Internship: Amazing
Positions Interviewed for: 1
Job Offers: 2
Christmas: Interesting
New Years: Unexpected

ALIVE and Kicking: a massive update

2007-10-21T19:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I am alive. So, I cannot blame the Grim Reaper for my lack posting, so I blame the craziness because it has been a wild and crazy couple of months.

As you know, I moved from lovely Lansing, MI to sunny Florida on August 25, 2007. And I arrived in Miami safe and sound after a 25 hour and two-and-a-half day road trip down I-75 with one of my best friends, N. Believe it or not, after a rocky start (thanks to weather, my slacking in packing, and slow driving) we had a pretty good time. N defiantly kept me sane and I made sure she had some reason to shake her head in bewilderment.

Some photos from the migration: (note that this are very random pictures ... all of the good ones are on N's camera. Eventually, I will post a few of them whenever I get my hands on them.)

Once back in the sunshine state, I had all of one day to unwind before beginning my first week of my internship at the Miami-Dade SAO. After a day of relaxing, I got to wake up at 5:30am and get ready for my first day "on the job." Though I needed to be at work at 8:45am and I live only 18 miles away – I need to leave the house by 7:25am. Can you say bumper-to-bumper traffic? I can!

My new morning friends.

Miami: a little on the hot side.AHHH ... morning traffic!

I was assigned to the Juvenile Justice division, and let me tell you … these little children are horrible, horrible, horrible little demonic creatures, but they do make for the best stories. Picture seven-year-old children stabbing their siblings, teenage girls beating up their mother, and pre-teens taking guns/machetes/knives/tire irons/sledge hammers and beating up other preteens because they are from rival gangs – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Photos from the office:

A little on the "ghetto" side, but that is the way it is in the juvie system.

Breakfast!

During my second week on the job, I was given my first case to try. It was a misdemeanor resisting arrest without violence case. I did every aspect of the case from opening statement to closing statement – and believe it or not, I won! The case, though only a misdemeanor took over four hours because there was a question as to what the law really said. After much debating, and recalling what I had learned two summers before in criminal procedure, I out debated a practicing lawyer of three years! Haha!

Since then, I have been given four more cases and have written a motion. I won my second and third case, ordered a pick-up order for the defendant how did not appear on the fourth, and offered a plea on the fifth. Ah, the glamorous life of a trial lawyer.

To add to the glamour, I am working 9 to 10 hour days – not to mention work that I do on the weekends and at night. Most of the night and weekend work is researching and drafting answers to motions. The reason? The public defenders believe that they should earn their pay check. They file motion after motion after motion. And who better to answer the motion than an intern? But, sadly, I enjoy am enjoying it all.

Personality DNA Test:

2007-08-20T18:44:00.000-05:00

SO, finals are over. I might be retaking wills ... but then again, you never know. But being done with finals means that I now have to focus on packing and moving. And because moving sucks, I decided to feed into my facebook addiction. I added the DNA Personality "application."

Basically, it asks you a bunch of "seemingly" random questions (do you like parties or not so much) and tells you what your personality type is. I am a dynamic creator. Hmm, okay. I might buy that, but what is a dynamic creator?

After much careful thinking, I realized that being a dynamic creator translates into me being a god. God is pretty dynamic and He is THE creator. Who knew? Me a god!

Okay, I might have taken that a little further than was ever intended, but what else would you expect from me? I am still not all too such what a dynamic creator is, or if it is remotely even close to being true. But, nonetheless, the test was a fun waste of 20 minutes that I should have spent packing.

If you take the test, let me know how you fair.

I HAVE TO HAVE IT!

2007-08-08T22:46:00.000-05:00

I found my summer home! Okay, I am not even in the market for an everyday home yet, but never the less, this is my future summer home. It is in NH, and it is on "Legal Lane." Seriously, I have to have it. And, while it needs a "splash" of color on the inside, all of the wood work is breathe taking. The entire second floor master bath is planked. I am in love. So, I now need to find a job that will allow me to live in NH from May until Sep. Hmmmm??? Anyone know what the NH Bar Exam is like?

I am a Ginger Kid!

2007-07-31T00:42:00.001-05:00

July 3 - July 20

2007-07-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

Lansing Pride Day

(Whit and Erkia)

Board Games at Erika's

(Tracy and Whit cheating somehow)

(Tracy having too much fun un the car)

(Cleo ... Queen of the Hightower household.)

(Whit's "stop taking pictures or I will start hurting you" look.)

Doug's Party

(looking at the fireworks)

(Miller time!)

(Doug and the bottomless margarita)

(finally a cute picture of both of us)

(how many drinks did I have?)

(yum! nothing like cookout food)

(seriously, do not ask)

Fourth of July - on the River Front

(yes, we are all adults)

(fireworks)

(Whit and I)

June 19 - July 2

2007-07-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Lauren and Josh's Birthday!

Random Bar Nights

Where the Hell have you been?

2007-07-19T12:26:00.000-05:00

That was the question a “lovely” reader sent to me about a week ago. So, where have I been? Well, not in front of the computer updating my blog – obviously. But I have a great excuse I swear: life is happening at a break-neck speed.

Okay, that is neither a valid nor decent excuse, but it is none the less true. The last month has flown by, and in 29 more days I will be DONE with law school classes. Well, I am done with all forms of class until Bar prep in January 2008. I am very excited about this, not the Bar, but being done with school. Even more exciting is the fact that I am moving home in T-minus 33 days. Woo-hoo!

As per usual, there is no way that I can bring the blog up-to-date with just one entry. Therefore, the next few entries will be a photojournalistic attempt at bring Legal Lane somewhat current.

Childhood Television

2007-06-19T01:05:00.000-05:00

You Tube is addictive, especially at two in the morning. After searching for the most random topics under the sun, I ended up finding a thirty minute video dedicated to the intros to the top 25 cartoons of the 1980s. Seeing as how a lot of the shows I watched were not on the intro (mostly because they were from ’86 – ’92 and the video focused on early 80s stuff), I came up with my own list of both cartoons and regular shows (coming tomorrow) that I loved back in the day.

Cartoons:

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Bettlejuice

Bernstein Bears

(no video)

Babar

Captain Planet

Care Bears

Gummi Bears

Duck Tails

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Inspector Gadget

Jem!

The Little Prince

The Littles

My Little Ponies

Pound Puppies

Rainbow Brite

Rescue Rangers

She-Ra: Princess of Power

Smurfs

Snorks

TaleSpin

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Thundercats

Legal Lane's Soundtrack

2007-06-17T13:48:00.000-05:00

The other day at work (okay, like two weeks ago), I was having a conversation with one of my co-workers. And somewhere in that conversation I made the comment that every morning I wake up with a different song in my head - and the song usually sets the tone of my morning.

Intrigued, my co-worker asked me about my "sound track" that week, but I could only recall a few of the songs. So, I decided to keep track - and I thought I would share. In retrospect, I think I must have a personality disorder because these songs are all over the place. Welcome to the wacky world that is Legal Lane Land.

Week before last:

Monday: Little Houses, Weeds Theme Song

Tuesday: 1983, John Mayer

Wednesday: Glamorous, Fergie

Thursday: Matchmaker, Fiddler on the Roof

Friday: Watching You, Rodney Atkins

Saturday: Up!, Shania Twain

Sunday: Make Me Wonder, Maroon 5

This past week:

Monday: Summer Girls, LFO

Tuesday: Cat's in the Cradle, Harry Chapin

Wednesday: Walking Her Home, Mark Schultz

Thursday: Landslide, Fleetwood Mac

Friday: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Mary Poppins

Saturday: Bitch I am from Dade County, Pit Bull

Sunday: This is Your Life, Switchfoot

Summer Fun: Law Student Style

2007-06-09T00:32:00.000-05:00

What has Legal Lane has been up to these past few weeks? Well, see for yourselves.

Cheese & Wine Nights

Poster Children for Wine Night!

Stay away from deep fried manchego cheese.

The Red Head Club (plus Tracy).

Thirsty Thursdays at the Lansing Lugnuts

We have spirit, yes we do!

The heart of Thirsty Thursdays: Miller Time!

Hell yah, a Grand Slam!

The boys, on their phones during the game ...

Random Other Nights

drunk drinking can be messy...

We are still trying to figure out what the heck I am doing in the next photo. I think I am sticking my tounge out at someone across the bar, or mkaing out with the back of Tracy's head ... or ...

Sushi ... ummm.

The Gator Nation's Prayers were Answered

2007-06-07T23:24:00.000-05:00

June 07, 2007

Dear alumni and friends,

Less than a week after we all said our goodbyes to the winningest coach in UF's history, we're in the happy position of welcoming him back to The Gator Nation.I know this has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for Gator fans everywhere. In the end, Billy followed his heart, and his heart is in college basketball and at the University of Florida. It was a hard decision but a courageous one, and I respect him tremendously for that.

So it turns out Thomas Wolfe was wrong - you can go home again.

We're glad you're here, Billy.

Bernie Machen

More Chicago Pictures:

2007-06-04T22:46:00.001-05:00

I am the queen of taking one too many photos, but what is the use of taking them if I do not share them with someone who does not want to see them? Answer: there would be no point. And because I loath partaking in activities that would have no point - I shall post them here for your viewing pleasure.

Photos from the River Boat Tour:

(tickets for the Sea Dog Arch. Tour)

(our tour guide, Ryan)

(entering the Chicago River Lock System)*

*encase you wanted to know, this is only river to be successful reverse engineered - meaning it now flows in the opposite direction than it is supposed too. it used to flow into Lake MI, now it flows into the Des Plaines River.

(our tour guide pointing something important out)

(wow, it is going up, but will it come back down?)

(notice the spelling of "building" - apparently this was pre-spell check)

(hard to take a bad picture in Chicago)

(a view of the city while on the lake)

Navy Pier:

(have to love fun house mirrors)

(Sara looking at a crazed sea gull)

(Sea Gull looking at some crazy person)

(there's a party going on in there)

(a horrid picture of Sara and I taken at the Children Museum's gift shop)

Around the City:

(navigating the "EL")

(the transfer tunnel from blue to red line)

(Millennium Park - the multi-million dollar bean)

(view from the Signature Lounge at cocktail hour)

(had to take a picture of lego darth!)

On the Train Home:

(you would never know we were facing backwards)

(bad hair day, or just being silly? the world will never know.)

(where the Sox play)

The Chicken and the Plastic Egg:

2007-06-01T22:45:00.000-05:00

Oh my word, I totally forgot, while on break I saw the best thing EVER: the chicken and egg machine. A friend and I went to the SWAP SHOP and there it was, the most delightful arcade machine from my childhood.

The machine was the best of the lot at Chucky Cheese because it not only gave you a prize, but it did a song and “dance” routine as well. Talk about pure joy for a kid – this machine was ALL about instant gratification.

I remember begging mom for a quarter, then placing the quarter in the slot, and then watching the chicken go-to-town: it would start to spin, bock, set all of the lights off, and then lay an egg. Then I would reach in to see what I had “won.” The fact that I had just paid for it was totally beyond the point – all that matter was that I now had me some loot! Yah!

What ever happened to these machines? They used to be all over the place, and now, I cannot remember the last time that I have seen one (other at the Swap Shop). Apparently, they are not sophisticated enough for today's youth. Even though there used to be a very cool one that played the Flintstone’s theme song and gave out eggs filled with Hanna-Barbera prizes: figurines, stamp pads, and stickers with Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, Scooby, Smurfs, Pound Puppies, The Snorks, and the Great Ape. Man, the good ‘ole days! Today's youth are sooo missing out.

Of course, I forgot my camera and was unable to take a picture of the coolest machine ever (and the prize I got). But I found this one on the internet – it will have to do. Enjoy.

The Shorter Route:

2007-05-30T00:08:00.000-05:00

In Exodus, God leads His people to the Promised Land, but the route that God had Moses follow was not the shortest. While it took forty years for Moses and the Israelites to get to the edge of the Promise Land – there was actually a more direct route. However, that was not part of God’s plan. Instead, God wanted His people to take a path that would not only test, teach, and shape them, but that would also delver them to the land He had promised Abraham in His own time and way.

It seems that this is the MO for all of our lives. Each one of us could easily say “ my life could have been so much easier if …” However, life has a way of twisting, turning, and curving and going ways you could never have planned. Which leads to dreams fading, friendships ending, and finding new passions that you never knew existed. But in the end, it is all f the twists and turns in life that shapes you into the ultimate person that you become.

Personally, I know that there was a much shorter router for me getting to law school, but I took the longer one. My senior year of high school I had the opportunity to attend Roger Williams University for pre-law. Did I take it? No, I went to University of Florida instead. And when I went to UF, I found new passions and dreams to follow and left behind in the dusty corners of my mind was the notion of law school. It was until almost two years after my graduation from UF that I became to toy with the law school notion once again. But at this point in life, there was no denying that I was a completely different person than I would have been if I had gone straight from undergrad to law school without stepping foot into the real world first – because much of my personal evolution had to do with my all of my post-collegiate job and life experiences.

Thus at the end of the day, it is all of the twist and turns in life that have shaped me into the person that I have become. This is because there are some things in life we can only learn from the bends, twists, and turns. Being perfect and not experiencing the twists could cause us to become shallow and trite because we lack the depth of character that is produced from taking the long way.

(can you tell (1) who went to bible study this week and (2) what book was read during bible study?)

Miss Universe 2007:

2007-05-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

While I was working on pretrial documents for my fake client, I decided to watch Miss Universe because my TiVo thought I might like to watch it and recorded it for me (isn’t TiVo very thoughtful?!). The pageant was co-hosted by Mario Lopez and Vanessa Minnillo (1998 Miss Teen USA), and let’s just say that they boarder on dull. Seriously, Trump needs to fire whoever selected those two.

My personal fave Japan's Riyo Mori won the title of Ms. Universe 2007. She wore a breathe-taking black, red, and purple Japanese-style gown. It was something that I would wear - very classy and tasteful. Anyway … while I was sort of watching, these are some things that I noticed:

Only two of the top fifteen had blonde hair, but one was bald (this just seems like a statistical anomaly);
Only one of the girls had a gown with sleeves;
Ms. USA slipped and fell during the evening gown portion (but she made it to the top five anyway);
Ms. USA was also jeered (loudly) during the interview process;
Ms. Korea and Japan spoke English at various parts of the pageant, but Ms. Mexico did not (I am not sure why I find this amusing – but I do);
Most photogenic did not make the top 15 (so, she is pretty on film but not in person???);

Ms. Mexico did not make it to the top five (only the top 10);

Would you rather have a relationship with a man who is spontaneous and wild or safe and tame? This was the questions asked by "Judge" Dave Narvarro;

Prizes for Miss Universe include (a 30k watch, a NYC apartment for a year, a new shoe and swimsuit collection, CHI hair care products, and a 100K scholarship to an acting school (for some reason it is the shoe collection and acting scholarship that throw me off)

Fairy Tales:

2007-05-28T13:25:00.000-05:00

Last night I was on the phone with André, and he was telling me about a conversation that he had with his sister, Maria. Maria is four months pregnant with twin girls, and she told André that she has been looking for all of her favorite fairy tales from her childhood because she would like to read them to her daughters. Somehow they got on the topic of which stories were her favorite, and Maria told him that she loved both Goose Girl and Twelve Dancing Princesses equally.

Now, André had never heard of these particular stories and thought Maria was nuts. So after he finished relaying the story, he asked me is I have heard of theses “obscure” stories. My replay: Oh my word. Those are my favorites too. But, personally, I love Goose Girl more.

Let’s just say that was not the reaction André was looking for – to say the least.

This got me thinking (scary, I know): how many girls have actually read these stories? Both stories are Brothers Grimm classics, but neither of those stories are as prevalent as Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty. So, I asked a few of my best friends here in law-school-land if they had ever heard of these particular fairy tails, and while some had heard of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, almost none of them had every heard of Goose Girl. I was, and am, utterly shocked by this fact.

How could one of the best fairy tales go unread by so many young girls? Goose Girl is a classic story of mistaken identity, endurance, and the triumph of virtue through honorable means (with some magic powers and talking horses thrown in for good measure). A great story to read or be read when you are a little girl.

**So, to all of my friends and family with little girls … guess what Legal Lane is getting them for Christmas this year??? But if you would like to beat me to the punch, just keep in mind that you want to get the version where the queen cuts off a locket of her hair and not cuts her finger for three droplets of blood (it is simply a better version of the story). **

Call the CDC

2007-05-26T18:17:00.000-05:00

I think I have the bird flu. It is either that or the bubonic plague because I feel like death warmed over. Which, in case you are wondering, is not too happy of a feeling. What makes it worse is the fact that I thought it would be a "smart move" to have three front loaded writing classes in the same summer term - apparently, I was smoking some good crack that day. So though sick, I have a mountain of research to wade through. Not to mention the forty SW papers I have to read for Journal. I love law school.

It Lives:

2007-05-24T14:11:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness, a new post. What is the world coming to?

The past two months have been a whirlwind of craziness. Between finals, vacations, school, finalizing my externship for the fall, law journal, work, and the random other things life throws at you … I have almost no Legal Lane time. However, I would rather have my plate full than not have anything to do but laze around.

So instead of telling you at noisome what I have been up to, I will just post all of the pictures.

Hope all is well with each of you.

Sarasota, Florida

Captain Dad

Two of the Six Fish we Caught:

Brush Fires in S. Florida:

Venice Budget: the worst customer service in the state

Chicago!

Took the Trian Back to MI w/ Sara.

Who knew they had outlets on a trian?

Yah!

2007-04-10T23:58:00.000-05:00

Your Vocabulary Score: A

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary!You must be quite an erudite person.

How's" Your Vocabulary?

*Let me just explain that I love the word erudite so much that I use it in my resume AND cover letter. It makes me smile. Yes, I am a nerd, and I am okay with that.

Panic Attacks: The Good Ole Days

2007-04-04T13:14:00.000-05:00

The law school library, around finals time, is not a place you would want to visit. Presently, we are approximately twelve days away from finals hell, and this means that just by stepping foot into the library you can actually feel the winds of change brewing: folks have gone from mid-level paranoia to full-on panic attack.

Now, I'm not one to criticize because I have been one of those students in a full-on panic attack mode. But for the last three or four terms (now in my 8th term) I could have cared less about finals. Granted, my GPA hovering at right below the 3.0 mark reflects this complacency – but I am now okay with this fact. Mostly because I have at least one real j-o-b lined up at I graduate this coming December. So why stress out?

So yes, I get the crazy thing, or better yet, I got the crazy thing. This year, however, I'm getting the complacent thing. And thanks to my TiVo – I am doing everything but stressing out. I have come up with the perfect study schedule: two hours of secured transactions and then one hour of TiVo bliss … then repeat. This is much better than 15 hour days in the dimly lit basement of the law library … much, MUCH, much better.

2007-04-03T21:41:00.000-05:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Who is Gatorbait?

2007-04-02T23:50:00.000-05:00

Ohio State! Again!

For those of you not in the know, MY silly Florida Gators beat OSU last night to take the NCAA basketball championship, much like they beat OSU a few months ago for the national title in football. I much, much prefer football to basketball, but for UF to be the reigning champs in both sports is awesome. For me. And if you don’t like it, then suck on it.

To be a Godly Woman:

2007-04-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

Growing up Batholic (a combination of Southern Baptist and Catholic) , I have always thought I “knew” what it meant to be a woman of faith – someone who was meek, mild-mannered, soft spoken, and a heart of gold. The problem with this being the image that I associated as an idea Christian woman created a huge internal struggle – because each these qualities have almost never been used in a sentence regarding me. Thus, I have always envisioned myself as being far away from the ideal Christian woman as possible while still being Christian. But after reading through Proverbs 31 recently, I have come to a different understanding of what it means to be a woman of God and faith.

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. See Proverbs 31: 13-18.

Reading the passages above, I came to the conclusion that being a Christian woman is not about being a “church mouse.” It is about being savvy, frugal, possessing inner-strength and endurance, being well-rounded, business-minded, and hard working. These are qualities are that closer to my own personality than my previous notion of a church mouse.

This passage also shows me that a Godly woman can be career orientated. This is not to mean that she puts her career above her family, but that she does not have to give it up either. And this makes me happier than I can express.

Internship “Plus”

2007-03-31T16:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it is official. I will be taking part in a clinical program for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. I am very excited about this – very excited. As I was filling out applications for associate positions at various firms in South Florida and in the Tampa market, I kept thinking of them all as fallback positions. As professor Miller said … I want my Perry Mason moment.

Though I am on cloud nine, the folks are on cloud five. They are pleased that I received the position that I really wanted – but they are nifted that I said yes so quickly. I think they were hoping on of the tax or construction law firms would “make me an offer I could not refuse.” Apparently, I aim to disappoint. Oy vey. Granted, most third-year law students would prefer a summer associate position at a larger firm where they know that they will be hired. But for me, it is all about gaining courtroom experience.

And experience I will get. I have been assigned to the felony division with the guarantee of endless hours of trial preparation and courtroom experience. In the felony division I will be second counsel on most cases which go to trial; but on certain cases, I will be able to serve as lead counsel on certain cases. I am stoked about this fact.

Good to Know:

2007-03-28T17:40:00.000-05:00

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Extreme
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	High
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very Low
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Very Low

Take the Dante's" Inferno Hell Test

Moot is now Moot:

2007-03-27T00:47:00.001-05:00

Moot Court is OVER. And all I have to say is “thank the Lord for small miracles.” I have been asked if I am disheartened that I did not advance. The simple answer is “hell no.” But for some reason, people do not buy this answer. SO, the somewhat longer answer is that I am about 12 weeks behind in Secured Transactions and Remedies thanks to Advanced and Moot Court. Thus I need the next two weeks to get my ducks in a row for finals. Advancing would put me even further behind – because then I would care if I wasn’t 100% prepared for anything that the three “justices” could possibly ask us … (i.e., if everyone become an atheist overnight – is violating the Establishment Clause still a compelling governmental interest under strict scrutiny for Maine … ). Time for bed b/c tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Finals are almost HERE!

2007-03-26T23:25:00.000-05:00

Final are just around the corner. Therefore, it is THAT time of year once again: time to actually think about all of the subtle nuances that make up each of my classes. As per usual, I am not entirely appreciative of the fact that the semester is over in two weeks, and that I will be sitting for exams in three weeks. I am not even close to being ready, and yet, I do not feel stressed about it. It better set in soon. Real soon. I so do not want to have to stick around another semester just because I failed secured. Plus, secured is the LAST class I would want to have to retake – it is bad enough the first time. Not sure I could manage it twice.

Guess I better get cracking!

Close ... very close ...

2007-03-18T04:14:00.000-05:00

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ESTJ)

Your personality type is serious, fair, independent, and competent.
Only about 9% of all people have your personality, including 7% of all women and 11% of all menYou are Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging.

*** According to the real MBTI test that I took at work, I am borderline ESTJ/ESTP. Either way, both are very popular among law students. But apparently not so popular with the rest of society. Hmmm. Maybe I should be worried .... nahhh! ***

... interesting ...

2007-03-10T00:53:00.000-05:00

Your Driving Is is: 68% Male, 32% Female

According to studies, you generally drive like a typical male.You're confident in your driving skills, and hardly any situation gets the better of you.And while you may have a few tickets under your belt, you're still a very good driver.

Happy Woman's Day!

2007-03-08T10:44:00.000-05:00

International Women's Day is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for "liberty, equality, fraternity" marched on Versailles to demand women's suffrage.

See http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womday97.htm

Birthday Girl

2007-03-06T19:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I am one of those annoying people who LOVE to celebrate the turning of another year: going out to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert with different people and making the entire celebration last an entire week (from pedicures, manicures, coffee dates, to the weekend bar-blow-out). This year because it falls on a Monday, festivities have been planned all week long – for the ease of everyone’s schedule. Granted, all of these festivities are because of my lovely mother. Seeing as how it was she who did all of the manual labor twenty-seven years ago, but I still like to credit for it apparently. However, school has decided to get in the way of me slacking off too much this week. Fun, fun. Oh well, off to write a brief that is due this Friday at mid-night – yah me.

The Dixie is still stronger than the Yankee!

2007-03-02T19:07:00.000-05:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

40% General American English

30% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

10% Yankee

5% Midwestern

Lenten Resolution ’07:

2007-02-16T11:33:00.000-05:00

On the verge of Lent, I decide to actually think about what it is that I am going to forgo. I have no clue – but this is mostly because I refuse to recycle anything that I have given up in the past (so out is caffeine, chocolate, dessert products, fast food, new clothes, shoe shopping, etc.)

So I thought, hey … why not use the New Year’s Resolution generator.

For the last two years instead of coming up with my own New Year’s resolution, I have had one randomly generated for me. Last year it was “procrastinate at being a modern day Johnny Appleseed,” and the year before that it was “be nice as you point and laugh.”

Both of which are not really challenges, but I went with it.

This year I am not sure that I will be able to combine the two because the first one was “I will stop checking my email at 3am” and the second one was “I will tip a cow.” Granted, I could make it … “I will stop checking my email at 3am while cow tipping,” but everyone who has ever gone cow tipping knows (and yes, I have gone cow tipping before) – it is near impossible to tip a cow while checking email. In fact, it is near impossible to do anything other concentrate on not giggling while cow tipping.

Deciding that this is not really what God had in mind when asking us to sacrifice the 40-days before Easter, I need to get cracking with some legitimate ideas – otherwise, I will be forced to give up something I have already lived 40-days without (and this seems like cheating).

...

2007-02-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

I LOVE Justice Posner, and this is why ... he forever defined the legal meaning of the word "bitch."

"The word "bitch" is sometimes used as a label for women who possess such 'woman faults' as 'ill-temper, selfishness, malice, cruelty, and spite,' and latterly as a label for women considered by some men to be too aggressive or careerist." Galloway v.Genral Motors Sev. Parts, 78 F.3d 1164 (7th Cir. 1996).

I love his definition for two reasons: (1) he defined me, but never met me, and (2) it was written on my birthday!

BANG, Bang:

2007-02-13T10:50:00.001-05:00

I want to know how to kill a person. Okay, that was for dramatic effect. In truth, I have decided that I want to learn how to shoot a handgun. The reasons behind this are many and varied, but there are two main reasons that are compelling me forward with this desire: (1) all of the men in family (on both sides) are brilliant with all type of fire arms – ranging from FBI grandpa to WV country boy grandpa – and (2) I think it would be a great stress reliever – and with practicing law, I will be surrounded by stress at all times.

Plus, something tells me that I would enjoy a good day at the range.

Having all the men in my family in love with firepower, I am no stranger to guns. As a child, my father taught me and my sisters how to use a shotgun. He would make a pyramid out of grab apples and have us aim for the apple right in the middle. If we were dead on, you made “applesauce.” And when he was not teaching, I had my own BB gun to go out and about in the wooded area and cause all sorts of mayhem – which I did on numerous occasions.

One of my best friends told me to take up golf instead, and while this is another hobby I would like to take up in the next two years, I think my first adult hobby shall be shooting.

Because I Said So ...

2007-02-10T20:10:00.000-05:00

Let me preface this by saying that I love Romantic Comedies, and although some of my close friends chastise me, I will continue to love them. It is for this reason that I really, really wanted to see “Because I said so,” and you could probably add another really to the mix because this is my mother’s favorite line. That being said, I have some serious issues with this movie.

Diane Keaton plays an old single mother named Daphne, who can’t keep herself from meddling in her daughter’s non-existent love life. Mandy Moore plays Milly, a young woman who has the worst luck in the romance department. And we’re supposed to believe that someone who looks like Mandy Moore can’t find a faithful guy (yeah right). Daphne writes a personal ad in hopes of finding a good man for her daughter, and sets her up unknowingly. Milly suddenly becomes involved with two men, and she is unsure of which one she likes more. And we all know that the guys will eventually find out about each other, and Milly will eventually discover her Mother’s set-up. Havoc will ensure, everyone will have words. But fear not, in the end we’ll have a formulaic Jerry Maguire moment where the guy she wanted takes her back after a big fight in an impromptu group scene.

So, I guess my basic complaint is that it is too scripted. However, the one part that is totally unscripted is where Moore and Keaton discuss orgasms (do Mother and daughter really talk like this to each other … or did I just luck out by not having to deal a mom like that one) is more disgusting than funny.

You might be a Floridian if..." (with comments)

2007-02-08T12:03:00.000-05:00

Down South" means Key West (actually, for me it meant Miami/Ft. Lauderdale)
"Panhandling" means going to Pensacola.
You think no-one over 70 should be allowed to drive. (I voted YES for the forced driving and eye tests for persons over 75)
Flip-flops are everyday wear.Shoes are for business meetings and church.No, wait, flip flops are good for church too. (Amen. Other than work, Flip Flops are the shoe of choice)
Socks are only for bowling. (So, so true. And b/c I am not an avid bowler, I only have one pair of socks)
Orange juice from concentrate makes you vomit. (it is just plain nasty)
Tap water makes you vomit. (that is b/c it tastes like fish)
Sweet tea can be served at any meal. (and it is. I remember back in HS when all of my friends and I would go to breakfast before school at Wolfe's ... at least three of the seven would have sweet tea with their meal ... and I was diffently one of them).
An alligator once walked through your neighborhood. (more like sunbathing on their dock)
You smirk when a game show's "Grand Prize" is a trip to Florida. (naturally)
You measure distance in minutes. (this actually seems to be popular all over)
You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt. (those were the good 'ole days)
You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls. (unless they were feeding them an Alka Seltzer tablet ... someone needs to test out that urban myth)
You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes. (very true)
All the local festivals are named after a fruit. (my fav. is the Strawberry festival in Plant City ... good music, carnie rides, and everything and anything strawberry)
A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.
A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade. (naturally, otherwise you melt when you get back inside)
Your winter coat is made of denim.
You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites. (they are totally diffirent ... but both suck to have)
You're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65. (I like my "older" friends, they have much to share and teach ... and by that age in life they say the darndest things)
You know the four seasons really are: almost summer, summer,not summer but really hot, and Christmas. :)
It's not "pop." It's "soda" or "coke." (nope, everything is coke)
Anything under 70 is chilly.
You've hosted a hurricane party. (a couple actually, but only for the small ones ... )
You go to a theme park for an afternoon, and know when to get on the best rides. (I know Disney and Bush Gardens like the back of my hand)
You pass on the right and honk at the elderly. (normally passing on the rt. b/c of the elderly)
You understand the futility of exterminating cockroaches. (ugh!)
You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee, Withlacoochee, Okahumpka, Panasoffkee, and Loxahatchee. (not only can I pronounce them, I have been to each of cities/rivers/lakes)
You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat than have a boat yourself. (a boat is a whole in the middle of the ocean that you throw money into ... and then you have to clean and flsuh out everytime you go out ... so much better is you just bring the beer and tag-along)
You've driven through Yeehaw Junction. (it is the half-way point between Pompano and Ocala)
Bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include various fish, the NRA and a confederate flag. :)
You were 8 before you realized they made houses without pools. (it was shocking)
You were 12 when you first met someone who couldn't swim. (more like 19 and in college ... and the person was from out of state)
You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas. (yeap)
You know what the "stingray shuffle" is and why it's important! (something I learned before I could talk)
You could swim before you could read.
You have to drive north to get to The South.
You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix. (there is none other that can compare)
Every other house had blue roofs in 2004-2005. (even now, there are still tons of blue roofs ... not enough roofers in South FLA)
You’ve gotten out of school early on Halloween to trick or treat before it got dark.
You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking up for. (true)
You dread lovebug season. (oh God yes! nasty little creatures)
You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances...but Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.
You know what a snowbird is and you hate them. (they come during the "in season," and yes, I am not a fan)
You know why flamingos are pink. (doesn't everyone?)
You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average. (they do not make the news unless they are over 12-feet long)
You were twelve before you ever saw snow or you still haven't. (22 actually)

Why this Professor is dead wrong:

2007-02-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

Because I attend a law school that REQUIRES me to take secured transactions, I have no choice but to struggle through the driest material on Earth. A few law-student friends from back home have said that at least I will have more than the 3 hour BarBri Review under belt when it comes time to take the Bar – and therefore, I should be grateful.

They are right, I should be grateful, but I am not. I really dread this class every week. It takes me “for-freaking-ever” to get through the 25 – 40 pages of material and then a billion more hours to try to decipher the code.

Why this is the case, I do not know. Though Article 2 of the UCC does not bother me in the least, but I simply cannot stand Article 9. Contracts I and II was a blast, Sales was actually a lot of fun (the 4 weeks I was in before I realized that if I took the class I would be 3 credits over the required needed to graduate), and Construction Law (though boring as all get-out at times) was doable. But A9 is about to kill me … or me it.

Anyway, to the point of this post, while I should have been reading for class, I decided to google “I hate secured transactions.” What I stumbled across was a blog by a new law professor who was excited to be teaching his first course, secured transactions:

Since arriving in Williamsburg, one of my main tasks has been to prepare for the first class that I will be teaching: Secured Transactions. Based on the involuntary grin that comes over the face of my-former-Article-9-teaching colleagues when they hear that I have been given this, I take it that it has, perhaps, not been regarded as the coolest class to teach. For myself, I suspect that Secured Transactions is the ideal class for a new law professor. Here are my three reasons:
1. Article 9 tested is on the bar exam, so it is something that students feel they ought to actually master.
2. It is a code subject with a reputation for difficult technicality, so students are more likely to feel like they must pay attention in class to master it. (See 1 on their motivation for mastery.)
3. Students will have very low expectations about the interest of the subject matter. No 2L or 3L thinks, "Wow! Lien priorities! There is an exciting and sexy subject."

Now, while he is correct about the low expectations and no one in their right mind thinking that lien priorities are sexy, he is dead wrong about students feeling like they must pay attention in this class. I sit in the very last row of my ST class, and from this vantage point, I can assure you that people are more interested in a good game of Spider or online poker than Article 9 of the UCC. Now, maybe this is because it is require here, and at his law school it is more than likely an elective. But this is not necessarily the case either because in several of my electives people are also doing numerous “other” tasks (ranging from surfing the Net to typing out their Advanced Writing briefs).

All I k now is that I royally hate this class and cannot wait for it to be o-v-e-r.

More H2O please.

2007-02-07T00:28:00.000-05:00

After an entire weekend of eating fried everything and drinking coke like a madwoman, I vowed to actually watch what I eat. Well, today, in addition to three square meals, I had three servings of Cheetos, a bajillion Ruffles with French onion dip, and three glasses of red wine. Not so promising.

So with my latest goal already blown, I vowed yesterday to at least drink more water. I've heard that you're supposed to have a glass of water for every cup of coke or coffee you drink -- I've never really followed this rule, ever. I've also heard that drinking water helps with weight loss. Randomly, I heard that chugging cold water is particularly helpful and even burns a bunch of calories, or something.

So this week, I am making a conscious effort to drink more water. Today every time I got up I made a point of bringing back a bottle of water with me. All that water led to lots of getting up to haul myself to the ladies' room. I don't want to think about what the guy in the library whose cubcal is next to mine thinks.

Oh well. Just flushing out the impurities right? Or maybe not ... seeing as how I also had three triple-vanilla-skim lattes today.

I hereby vow not to make any more vows. Starting now.

This would have been my first guess:

2007-02-06T22:23:00.000-05:00

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it.You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less.You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way.Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

Lack of Customer Service:

2007-01-28T22:32:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, my grandmother bought me a right-hand ring (white gold with a 1.5c emerald-cut Aquamarine). Though VERY lovely, my first thought was that it looked extremely fake. Now, should I care about this – no. But nonetheless, I do. Being a wonderful grandchild that I am, I smiled and thanked her non-stop for about 2 days. When I went to see if the local Dillard’s (where she bought it from) could size it for me, I ran into the worst customer service that I hope to ever run into for the rest of my life.

With gift receipt and ring in hand, I walked up to the counter and spoke with the two older ladies lurking behind the register. Handing the closer of the two my receipt and ring, I ask if there was a way for me to have it sized for free (seeing as it was part of the original agreement). And the following conversation was had:

Grouch: I am sorry, you cannot size this.
Me: really, why is that?
Grouch: you cannot size sterling silver.
Me: well, it is a good thing that it is 14K gold
Grouch: no. I am looking at it right here (pointing to the inside of the ring), and it says sterling silver.

Grouchy Lady then hands it back over to me.

Me: um, I am reading “HB 14k”
Grouch: I am sorry young lady, you are wrong. It says sterling silver.
Me: okay. Thank you for your time.

Grouch: listen, you have a gift receipt – how much do you think that the person spent on you
Me: if past experience services me well, then I would say a pretty penny.
Grouch: let me see your receipt – I doubt this cost more than 20 dollars
Me: (hands it over knowing full well that she will be apologies soon)

Grouch: this receipt does not work – there are too many numbers on it -- it has 14 digets, and our system only needs 12.

Me: I thought all Dillard's were the same? why would it not work.

Grouch: I do not know, but it could be because it is from another city.

Me: (internally - a different city from the SAME state. why would there be a whole new system?) that is fine, I will take it elsewhere – thank you for your time

Grouch: (tosses the ring at me) that ring could be from anywhere. I would not be surprised if it came from Claire’s. I would not bother taking it anywhere else and wasting your time.

Mouth slightly agape, I walk out of the store and towards the other end of the mall where Vanessa’s jewelry is located (a store owned by friends of my parents). Once there, the lovely ladies (who helped me pick out my mom’s Christmas gift) confirmed that I was not smoking crack – the ring was real and it could be sized. After they took care of me, they informed me that I should report the ladies from the store because that was not the proper way to treat customers. At the time, I decided to drop it. However, once I got home and retold the story to my mother, she became livid enough for the both of us – and decided to handle it herself. Well, if there is anyone someone should fear (other than me) – it is her.

Here is hoping that my next shopping experience will be better. But there is one thing for sure, it will not be at Dillard's (no matter how much I love their shoe department).

putting off work again ...

2007-01-26T21:58:00.000-05:00

You Are From Saturn

You're steady, organizes, and determined to achieve your dreams.You tend to play it conservative, going by the rules (at least the practical ones).You'll likely reach the top. And when you do, you'll be honorable and responsible.Focus on happiness. Don't let your goals distract you from fun!Don't be too set in your ways, and you'll be more of a success than you ever dreamed of.

Let's Go to the Movies:

2007-01-24T00:15:00.000-05:00

YOU have been TAGGED. Mark the movies you've seen. There are 239 movies on this list. Copy this list mail, go to your own facebook account, and then paste this as a note. Then, put x's next to the movies you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom. Have fun!

SUPPOSEDLY, if you've seen over 85 movies on this list - you have no life.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane

Total: 7

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchor Man
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
(x) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Total so far: 16

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
(x) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
(x) American Pie Band Camp

Total so far: 21

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Resident Evil 1
(x) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(x) Little Black Book
(x) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch

Total so far: 30

(x) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre (THE ORIGINAL)
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x) Robots

Total so far: 38

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG

Total so far: 44

( ) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
(x) The Ring
(x) The Ring 2
(x) Surviving X-MAS
( ) Flubber

Total so far: 50

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards

Total so far: 54

( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
(x ) Coach Carter
(x) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask

Total so far: 61

(x) Bad Boys
(x) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George

Total so far: 68

( ) Cujo (read the book though)
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine (also read the book)
( ) Children of the Corn
(x) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2

Total so far: 74

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
(x) Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3

Total so far: 84

(x) X-Men
(x) X2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2

Total so far: 96

( ) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old-virgin

Total so far: 100

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Total so far: 106

( ) BASEketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander (..."it won the Academy Award for… best movie ever made"...)
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three

Total so Far: 104

( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard

Total so far: 110

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicle Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld

Total so far: 113

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
(x) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave (aka the Day of the Woman)
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness

Total so far: 116

( ) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace "star wars"
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones "star wars"
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith "star wars"
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
(x) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor

Total so far: 123

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) HannibalGrand

total: 129/239

**yes, I have seen 54% of the random 239 movies listed, and the creator of the list says that if you have seen 85 films (roughly 35%) that you have no life. Well, that might be true. However, ever single one of the movies that I have seen, I have seen with at least one other person – if not with a whole group of friends (or both of my sisters if it is a kid’s movie past 1992). In high school, I went the movies at least twice a month with my friends because there is not much to do in a back-water town after dark (other than cow tipping, drinking in the forest, going to a football game, or setting something on fire – which are activities we did on the weekends we didn’t go to the movies … ). As such, I feel somewhat justified in seeing a crap load of movies. What about you? **

Snooze Fest:

2007-01-20T19:05:00.001-05:00

I will be the first to admit that there are times that certain classes in law school (and elsewhere I am sure) get a little boring. These are usual the times that I distract myself with a few doodles of the professor (usually saying or doing some slightly inappropriate thing that is based on his or her personal characteristics – thus within the realm of possibilities and even funnier). Or, God forbid some student goes on some longwinded and impossible-to-follow hypo, I play a short game of Spider. However, the one thing I have never done is fall asleep in class.

Now, I do believe that I have had a friend or two fall asleep in class before – but something major usually occurred the night before (or they were dealing w/ bouts of insomnia). But these are exceptions based on extreme circumstances – and as such are understandable.

However, today in a late afternoon class, a fellow student dosed off. The class is a “required” elective, and because of this fact, the class has about 20 people in it. For the first half of the class the student was a gunner, answering even the most rhetorical of questions. But after the break, (s)he had seemed to go quiet. Then all of a sudden there was a loud, and unmistakable, sound of snoring coming from across the room. There the student was … head bobbing back and forth like a bobble-doll, snoring. The entire room went silent, the two professors stopped the lecture, while everyone just stared at the student. One would assume that at least one of the professors would nudge the student awake (make a loud noise … something, anything) – but no, they just shook their heads and went about the lecture.

After class was over, one of the professors said to the student, “I know this class can be snooze fest, but please wear “Breathe Right” nasal strip next time that you come – they really do work – and someone just might want to hear what we have to say.”

Have to say, that was the most enjoyable part of the entire class.

Happy 2007!

2007-01-16T15:57:00.000-05:00

I guess you can say that I have been “lacking” in the posting department – but it has been a totally crazy and down-right eventful last few months. There is no way to effectively bring the blog up to speed without boring you all to death; so, I am starting off the New Year fresh. Though, below you will find an array of photos from the three Christmases the Jennings Clan celebrated and a few from the first few weeks of the ’07. Hope you enjoy, and I also wish you and yours a Blessed year to come!

The Christmas Story '06:

Christmas Tree in Lansing before Izzy attacked it.

Christmas Round 1 - Jacksonville.

On the way to Jax.

The Jennings Compound in Jax.

The Jennings Girls at sunrise on Christmas Eve.

Sunset on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Morning sunrise.

The parents and grandparents.

The "Trash Lady" ... as protrayed by Sally.

Yah! Nintendo DS for all!

Opening presents: fun for all ages.

Steph staying out of the way while the women cook dinner.

Yum! One of several Christmas dinners!

Driving back to good 'ole SRQ via I-4.

Have to love Orlando ... where EVERYTHING is Disney (even the powerlines).

What the heck, a six-story bus station!

Christmas Round 2 - Sarasota.

Sally's gift to Mom and Dad - a class art project!

"Hurry up Steph ... "

Sally hugging her XBOX 360.

Loving the Burberry Boots!

Sally letting me know I am No. 1 (after her of course).
Steph watching her new fav. movie ... "Talladega Nights" ...

Christmas Round 3 - Ft. Lauderdale

Nikki deciding which to open first.

Caroline telling Brianna that she is getting coal.

Candy-Bella sleeping under the stocking.

Another yummy Christmas Dinner.

New Years Eve - Miami

Getting ready for the fun to begin.

Confetti ... in the shoes the morning afer.

Recovering.

Sally's 12th Birthday

Bowling with friends

New Do:

A forced smile as Sally documents the fact that I cut almost 10 inches off my hair.

Yea! Finals Are Just Around the Corner:

2006-11-11T19:08:00.000-05:00

(Please read the title with the high-level of sarcasm intended).

It seems my problem with lateness is not getting any better. Ever since I can recall, I have constantly run about five to twenty minutes late. In college my best friend and I were so late, so often, that instead of going to actually class (which there was only 45 minutes left of) we went to breakfast instead (mind you that it was an eleven o’clock class).

Thankfully, my issues with lateness only occur in the mornings. Well … I am not sure that I am “thankful,” but I know that it could be much worse. Both aunts (on different side of the family) have problems with timeliness at any point in their day – one runs on Cuban time, the other is just plain late for everything she has planned.

My problem seems to steam from the fact that I sleep thru the first 30 minutes of my alarm, and then I just cannot seem to force myself out of bed – which causes me to have to rush right out the door with little time for getting ready. This results in my being late to work every single morning. I am constantly amazed by people who can make it to work at the same time every day and shocked when they are upset that I have yet to master this “art.”

I did not realize how big of a problem it was until I showed up for work ten minutes early. You would have thought that hell had indeed frozen over or that I sprouted a second head – for all mouths were agape.

Hmm, I guess it is time to become something more than consistently late. Not sure it will actually happen, but I am sure that I need to try (I know that lateness and court do not mix – thus, I better fix it now when no one really cares that I come in at 9:15 and not 9:00).

apparently i will rise from my own ashes ...

2006-11-05T22:02:00.000-05:00

You Are a Phoenix

Driven and ambitious, you tend to acquire material success easily.
You have grand schemes - both for your own life and for changing the whole world.
You are a great leader, and you have no problem taking the reigns.
However, you aren't all business. You also have great talents for performing and visual arts.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

Enough Said:

2006-11-01T23:11:00.000-05:00

Hmmm ... the quiz is right. Sadly,I loved all of my nerdy toys as a child: "Speak & Spell," "Speak & Read,"Speak & Math," and "Alfie" - were among my favrite.

What childhood toy from the 80s are you?

You're" a Speak & Spell!! You nerd, you. Just because you were disguised as a toy doesn't mean you weren't educational, you sneaky bastard.

The Irony of it all:

2006-10-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

The Gulf Stream is responsible for keep the ocean waters of both North America and Europe warmer than they would otherwise be without the current – thus making the winters temperatures on both continents less frigid. Researchers have found that the Gulf Stream has started to weaken. It seems that global warming has caused one of the powerful currents that propels the Gulf Stream all of the way to Europe has become a quarter of its original strength – the side effect, there is a chance the Europe is going to be having some really darn cold winters in the distant future.

How would have thought that global warming would cause the EU to freeze over? Hmm.

Imperialism meets Isolationism:

2006-10-26T13:31:00.000-05:00

Today, President Bush signed a bill authorizing 700 miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. So, in a day in age where Wilsonian ideals (faith in the ability of the United States to solve all problems abroad) are abundant – are we also giving a nod towards the asinine concept of isolationism?

Not sure how I feel about this ...

Recalling Fall '90

2006-10-25T19:17:00.000-05:00

Today, Danny Rolling was executed for the gruesome murder of five University of Florida students.

I remember that in the Fall of ’90 I attended my first Gator Football game at the Swamp with my aunt, Carolyn. At the time, she had just graduated from undergrad at UF, and her husband was in his first semester of law school there. The few weeks before my aunt picked me up, I recall my grandparents getting after my aunt to be safe during her daily runs because there was a killer on the loose. Then walking back thru campus after the UF v. AU game, I picked up a copy of the Alligator (UF’s student paper). In it there were pictures of the victims of the UF-serial killer. It was then that I realized why my grandparents had called Carolyn daily; she fit the killer’s profile. And now, sixteen years later it has all come to an end. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.

Project Runway

2006-10-18T22:07:00.000-05:00

So, as most of you know, I am addicted to television, and Project Runway is one of my favorite shows. However, I am slightly niffed after tonight’s final episode. I went into the finale rooting for the final two to be Michael and Uli (I love Laura, but her designs are very limited in scope so I knew she would not make it that far). Yet, the final two were Uli and Jeffrey. Though I think that Jeffrey has extraordinary talent and foresight, Uli’s collection was both wonderfully crafted and has to potential of having a wider appeal base (meaning that the average female looking for high-end fashion would be more likely to purchase something from her collection), but it was Jeffrey who walked away with the title of winner of season 3. Nevertheless, Izzy and I are still cheering for Uli.

Apparently:

2006-10-17T11:23:00.000-05:00

Mr. Bones Jangles “hearts Michael Jackson … auo!” I walked in last night to see that our lovely Halloween-door decoration has decided to let us all know what is on his mind, and he will be sharing new thoughts with us every so often. Have to love the creative forces at work in the house.

Crabtree and Isabella

2006-09-30T19:45:00.000-05:00

Amazingly enough, each term seems to go by faster than the next. Granted, it is only week four, but it seems like yesterday was only the first day of classes – law school seems to be flying by (as is life).

Making this term going faster is all of the “stuff” that is going on: (1) Izzy, (2) 40 hour work weeks, (3) TA sessions, (4) four classes, (5) law review/law journal, and (6) job number two.

My absolute favorite of all of these is Izzy (a.k.a. Isabella). She is our wonderful new rescue puppy. She is 18 weeks old, and she lives to pee in her crate and poop on the sidewalk. Other than that, she is a complete joy. She will cuddle with you for hours, she already knows how to sit and lay down on command, comes (90% of the time) when you call her, and is able to be outside without needing to be on a leash because she will not leave the yard without a human by her side. She is also a complete spazz – which makes me love her even more. She is obsessed with people’s heads. She loves sniffing our hair and put her paws on our heads (weird, I know). She also has a love of sitting on your feet when you are cooking, doing dishes, or sitting at the computer – this is both sweet and annoying at the same time.

All in all, things are well on this end. As for the rest of the “stuff” going on in life, it seems to be never ending. But thankfully, all will calm down after week six (this is when I start working all of 10 hours a week – yes!), and until then, all of this going from one task to another is keeping me relatively out of trouble. Oh, on the grades front ... ended up with a B in both Business Orgs and Taxation, which is a plum miracle because I neither read nor studied for those classes like I should have (i.e., more than 15 days before the exam). However, I know I will not be as lucky this term with both Evidence and Construction Law on my plates (yes, CL is an elective, but take a look at the grades, they are horrid. Average was around a B/B- … not as attractive as the A- average of Estate Planning and Probate (most definitely taking that next term)). As they say, live and learn.

To all Cooley Kids, I hope your term is going well, and if you have emailed or called in the last three weeks – I promise I am not ignoring, and I will be returning the email/call ASAP.

7th Heaven and the WB

2006-09-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

Okay, I must have been on another planet for the last few months. I could have sworn that 7th Heaven had called it quits for good. However, much like George Michael and Boy George, it appear it is not truly going anywhere. 7th Heaven has been picked up for its 11th season by the CW network. Apparently, the CW is taking over where the WB will leave off – because, while on another planet I missed that the WB was calling it quits, which sucks because it is my inner child’s favorite station with all of my favorite shows (i.e., Gilmore Girls, Super Natural, Smallville, Everwood, etc.). Supposedly, the CW will be keeping the same line-up and the same producers, etc – plus they will add a few shows from the UPN. I am not a huge fan of network changes, but with luck, it will be a good one.

Off to read Construction Law.

2006-09-01T14:15:00.000-05:00

Wow, they are posting grades like crazy today. Seems like they have updated every hour and a half, which for the poster-folks is very fast. Tax came early this morning, the grade that I had dreaded all break. It seems that I did not fail. In fact, I did not come close to failing. I ended up with a B, so I am pretty please. However, what this tells me is that if I actually studied (more than the 24hrs before the exam) I could have pulled off an A. Ugh. Oh, well. I am just pleased that I have my two voids in my back pocket for future classes (i.e., Secured or Remedies). Now am just waiting on Bus Orgs (seeing as how I have known for weeks that I got my “pass” in my other class).

Random Note: if you will be in Lansing this Sat. or Sun., and would like to join about 15 Cooley students for a BBQ – shoot me an email and I will give you directions.

Pure Agony

2006-08-30T19:55:00.000-05:00

Today my father called to let me know that my uncle (mom’s brother) had unexpectedly passed away early this morning at my grandmother’s house. After talking with my mom to ensure that she was doing as well as could be expected, I tried to get some handle on what happened – why now, why so sudden. All my mom could muster was call your grandma because she will have to tell you – I just can’t.

So, I call the woman who, though small in stature, has been the pillar of my world since before I can remember. After expressing my deepest sympathy and expressing my unwavering love for her, my grandmother told the story of her last 24hrs – and each word drew new tears and deepened not only y sorrow but my love for her as well.

For the last year my uncle has been battling depression, and after the divorce a few months ago he began living with my grandmother to try and regroup. However, he has only gotten worse. In a mood, he went last night to sleep in his Explorer because he found something about his room oppressing. My grandmother went out there to try and collect him around 11pm, but his cold words and frigid mood let her know that he was bound and determined to stay put.

When my uncle failed to appear for breakfast, she went out to see if he was feeling any better this morning. As she peered in the window of the Explorer, she saw her only living son slumped over sideways with lifeless eyes gazing towards the sky. Instantaneously, she reached to open the door only to find it locked. She pleaded with God as she relentlessly banged on the window to bring her son back to her – she pleaded for Him to make everything okay. When it became clear that God was granting her this wished, she called the cops to come and help. For the 25 minutes it took them to respond, she talked to John thru the window. She told him of her love for him, how he was a 1/3 of her world for the last 49 years. The cops had to physically take her into the house while they jimmied the door open. However, she made them promise her that she could say good-bye before they took him away. When the brought her to my uncle, she cupped her hands around his cold face and kissed him good-bye, and again expressed her unwavering love for her baby boy. She then told the medics to take care of her last son because he meant the world to her.

By this time in the phone conversation, words for once failed me. Knowing I was unable to talk, my grandmother told me how proud she was of me and how much she wanted me to succeed in school and live a happy and fulfilled life. Tears ran in streams down my face and my heart felt heavier than I could ever imagine. For at the moment I knew I was suffering two losses at once. Not only had the favorite uncle of my youth passed away, but a large part of my grandmother had passed away with him. Though my grandmother loves my mother, he boys were her whole world. She worshiped them, and they could do no wrong. My pillar, my rock here on Earth crumbled right before me – and there is nothing I can do to piece it back together. I feel lost just thinking about losing her, and even if it is only because she retreats into herself. For the better part of my youth she was the mother my mom was struggling at the time to be. I have no clue what I would do without her. The thought of such is pure agony. I now only wish I had decided to transfer - if only to be closer to her.

Forest and Trees

2006-08-29T14:46:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been forever since I have posted last. Opps. The reason: I seem to have lost the forest for the trees, as my father would say. It appears that I have forgotten the sole reason that I moved to Lansing in the first place – to obtain a law degree (with honor preferably) – because over the last few terms I have focused too much externally: hanging out with friends, going out with the girls, and doing anything and everything that did not have to do with furthering myself as a law student. So, now is the time to change this fact. Especially after I pretty much bombed (I think) my tax final, and this so should not have happened because I actually liked and understood the class as I went along; however I never actually “studied” for the final. Talk about a dumb move (can we say thank the Lord for our two voids).

Along with the revelation that I have neglected my studies came another: part of the problem with falling off the “law school path” is attributed to the fact that I have lost sight of what should be the most important aspect in my life – a solid relation with God. For the last six or seven months I have reverted back to the person I was before college: highly sarcastic, mean spirited, and more narcissistic than necessary. I have tried to pinpoint the exact moment of the switch, but it seems that it has been a gradual progression (or regression) to the angry person that I was in high school and the first year of college. Not good, not good at all. Ever since I have stepped foot in Lansing, I have slowly but surely neglected my spiritual relationship. And every time have lost sight of God and His role in my life, I turn into the bitch from Hell. Therefore, it is time for me to get my act together and get back on all tracks. I am not sure which will be harder: rebuilding my relationship with God or fixing my slowly reclining GPA (I so hate the B-.) Something tells me that school will prove to be the most difficult of all ....

School & Stuff:

2006-07-31T16:39:00.000-05:00

Word has finally come in from all schools. It seems that I have a choice to make – and it is a hard one. I can transfer to either a second tier or third tier Florida school, or I can stay at my present law school. The catch, if I move to Florida, I will not graduate law school until June 2008. However, if I stay put I can be done with school in July 2007 – and graduate after my externship in December 2007. I really do not want to be in school for an extra year. I hate school. Okay, this is not entirely true. I am just growing tired of having no spending money and not living near my family (oh, and I am sick of tests).

After much debate with the family, I think I have settled on staying in MI for the next 12-and-a-half months. It will be one big count down. But, my Mellie will be stateside for the first four months of the count-down, and that will make time fly – Vegas here we come!

HOWEVER, I do have another four weeks to change my mind. So if you know where I can get extra financing (say, approx 45K) and come with some compelling reasons to transfer … I might be willing to rethink my decision.

Fabulous Florida:

2006-07-13T23:47:00.000-05:00

I love home. I love my state. I love being with my family. I would say that I love being with my friends, but I have friends who are very dear all over the globe. In fact, most of my closest friends do not live in Florida (granted, a few still do). However, the ones whom live elsewhere seem to be more willing to visit FL as apposed to MI. Cannot say that I blame them – I would rather go to the beach and shop in Miami or JAX than I would in MI. Oh well, I will be home soon enough. August 12th cannot come soon enough!

Things I miss while away:

Private Concerts

Torturing of Animals

Car Dancing Marathons (only in my family)

Puppy Passions: an update

2006-07-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems that Karla wants me to take Max/Spartacus off her hands. The wire fox terrier puppy is presently 3 months old, and he is ready to explore the big world of Lansing, MI. However, he will have to wait until after finals. In the mean time, he will be spending the next five weeks showing in various dog shows for puppies in the Tampa – Ft. Myers area. He is one of the cutest puppies I have seen. I cannot wait to bring him home with me on break. Very exciting!

Airports Are Awesome

2006-07-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

I love airports, and at the moment, this is a good thing.

Currently, I am sitting in the Tampa/St. Pete airport. Seems the tropical storm bands that are coming through the area have postponed all of the flights in and out of the area for the next hour. Looking out the window, it does not seem bad at all. However, the wind is apparently gusting at 35-to-45 MPH a few hours north of here. Meaning turbulence would have a whole new connotation for me when (and if) we landed in Detroit. Granted, I should have already been half-way to DTW but I was bumped off of my first flight to make space for the traveling nuns. Not wanting to jeopardize my afterlife, I was happy to let them have my seat. In exchange, the airline upgraded my ticket to first-class – not too shabby. Bring on the mimosas.

The above photo was supposed to have the driver of the cart in it; however, my zooming was a little off. Anyway, the driver guy was freaking awesome. He popped wheelies and did donuts.

This is a picture of Cape Canaveral taken on my flgiht to Ft. Lauderdale. Apparently, the shuttle is visible on the launch pad (according to the piolt). I have yet to find it in the picture ... let me know if you can find it.

**Update** I am in love, L-O-V-E, with first-class flying. Endless drinks. Top-notch service. Damn airline has now ruined flying for me for a long, long while.

Florida, again.

2006-06-28T19:05:00.000-05:00

Last night, on the way to pick up the girls, I saw a man riding down Pine on a bike. He was smoking a cigarette, talking on a cell phone, and sipping out of a brown bag – talk about multi-tasking! Anyway ...

Yeah! Florida here I come. Here is to ten days in Florida. Not only do I get to spend time with the folks and sisters, I get to see my Grandpa before the chemo and radiation take too much out of him, and then I get to spend a few days on the beach with some of my favorite girls who are meeting up with me in S. FLA (nothing like a little beach, a little sun, a few umbrella drinks, and shopping). Did I mention the shopping and the beach?!? Also, it seems like Max might be coming home with me for good … more on that when I return.

As per Jill’s request, I will be posting tons of pictures of everything that is not too incriminating.

Baby J at almost 3 months!

2006-06-25T14:14:00.000-05:00

Jocelyn is now almost three-months-old! Here are some pictures of her and her parents in CO for a friend's wedding. After these pictures were taken, Baby J and family moved to their new home in Omaha. Little J is almost better travled than I am. :)

Jeff, Kell, and Joce

Momma and Lill' One

Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon

2006-06-24T13:40:00.000-05:00

Talking with a good friend last night, it came to our realization that a childhood classic has run its course: Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon.

In 1993, the John Guare film Six Degrees of Separation (based on Guare's play) inspired three students from Albright College in Reading, PA to create the game Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon, which states that any actor or actress from any movie may be linked to Kevin Bacon in six moves or less. While this may not sound as riveting as Halo 2, it is a great game to play if you're killing time, on a long road trip or just sitting around talking about movies and such (and drinking, usually).

For nearly a decade, I have played the game with countless friends; however, it has recently come to my attention that the game has lost its edge. It is no longer challenging, and, therefore, it is no longer relevant.

There are just too many movies out there with Kevin Bacon accompanied by a rash of other very popular and very busy actors. Let me put it to you this way: If you can keep in mind A Few Good Men, Apollo 13, Sleepers, Mystic River, and JFK: this links him with Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Keifer Sutherland, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, Billy Crudup, Robert De Niro, Minnie Driver, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Patrick, Brad Pitt, Bruno Kirby, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman, Sissy Spacek, Jack Lemmon, Joe Pesci, Ed Asner, John Candy and Donald Sutherland, and that's just the most popular actors from only five of the roughly fifty movies he has to his credit.

Think of all of the movies that those actors have been in and who has starred with them in those movies, and so forth and so on. It's just gotten too easy. I am here to set the record straight: Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon is hereby retired.

Church Signs

2006-06-23T14:12:00.000-05:00

I either love those sayings churches put on signs or hate them. This morning, on my way to work I saw one that just made me stop and think: "Worrying casts a big shadow over a small thing." (I think that is how it was worded)

If you think about it, it does make a lot of sense – worrying and casting oneself into darkness would make it awful hard for them to find a solution. Therefore, worrying amounts to nothing more than stumbling along in shadows, all the while flipping out.

Seeing as how I am the Queen of the Land called Worry, I might want to take this particular sign under advisement.

Wanna Buy A Duck ...

2006-06-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

Taken at the Lake this Weekend!

Word of the Day!

2006-06-14T23:01:00.000-05:00

The Word for today is PORTMANTEAU!

1: a large traveling bag made of stiff leather [syn: Gladstone, Gladstone bag]

2: a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings; "`smog' is a blend of `smoke' and `fog'"; "`motel' is a portmanteau word made by combining `motor' and `hotel'"; "`brunch' is a well-known portmanteau" [syn: blend, portmanteau word]

Pronunciation Key (pôrt-mnt, prt-, pôrtmn-t, prt-)

***P.s. Thanks Nick!***

Thanks Bill!

2006-06-14T18:13:00.000-05:00

So, my friend Shum calls me the other day to inform me that a guy named Bill had called her because I had listed her as a referral. Being savvy, she asked him what I was applying for – to better help tailor her opinion of whether she thought I would be well suited for the company (granted, no matter what she would have given a stellar report because after working for the campaign trial together, we know the definition of work). Apparently, Bill was not calling her for a reference, but he wanted to find out my most current address and phone number because some piece of literature that he send out with the latest and greatest offers for his corporation had somehow been returned to him in the mail – opps.

Anyway, Shum called to give me Bills number so I could call him to reassure him that I am in fact at the same place he has had on file for the last three years. Naturally, this put us both on the phone at the same time … and both with 90 minutes to spare. I am all caught up with the last three months of her life … let’s just say that I am very jealous and happy for her. Plus, I better get caught up on the “coconut girl’s” duties (long story).

All I can say is “You Rock Bill.”

Lane, Shum, Sen. Dick Durbin, and our Interns Danny and Pat.

How Not To Steal a Sidekick II

2006-06-10T10:22:00.000-05:00

I am easily amused while at work. If you have a few spare moments, check out this site about one friend's plight to get back a friend’s stolen side-kick.

Better Perfect my Game

2006-06-10T09:25:00.000-05:00

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
ORLANDO DIVISION
Case No. 6:05-cv-1430-Orl-31JGG

AVISTA MANAGEMENT, INC.,d/b/a Avista Plex, Inc.,Plaintiff,
-vs-
WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS INSURANCECOMPANY,
Defendant.
______________________________________

ORDER This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion to designate location of a Rule30(b)(6) deposition (Doc. 105). Upon consideration of the Motion – the latest in a series of Gordian knots that the parties have been unable to untangle without enlisting the assistance of the federal courts – it is ORDERED that said Motion is DENIED. Instead, the Court will fashion a new form of alternative dispute resolution, to wit: at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, June 30, 2006, counsel shall convene at a neutral site agreeable to both parties. If counsel cannot agree on a neutral site, they shall meet on the front steps of the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, 801 North Florida Ave., Tampa, Florida 33602. Each lawyer shall be entitled to be accompanied by one paralegal who shall act as an attendant and witness. At that time and location, counsel shall engage in one (1) game of “rock, paper, scissors.” The winner of this engagement shall be entitled to select the location for the 30(b)(6) deposition to be held somewhere in Hillsborough County during the period July 11-12, 2006. If either party disputes the outcome of this engagement, an appeal may be filed and a hearing will be held at 8:30 A.M. on Friday, July 7, 2006 before the undersigned in Courtroom 3, George C. Young United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 80 North Hughey Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801.

DONE and ORDERED in Chambers, Orlando, Florida on June 6, 2006.

GREGORY A. PRESNELL United States District Judge

Hell and God

2006-06-09T19:43:00.000-05:00

Today, a friend emailed me a question that came up in their Sunday School class a couple weeks ago, and I thought I would share the question with all of you: Is God present in Hell?

Like most Catholics, I am quick to say that Hell is the ultimate separation from God. However, God is omnipresent, everywhere at all times.

The question then becomes, could God actually be present in Hell? If so, how?

Isn't Hell designed for the pure purpose of placing unrepentant sinners away from God because God cannot be in the presence of sin (created first for Satan and his followers and then opened up to humans after the fall of Adam)? But yet, some scholars have suggested that God too has a role in Hell.

Feel free to share you thoughts on the subject, if any.

Prayers for a Friend and their Family

2006-06-08T14:20:00.000-05:00

To one of my dear friends out in blogland, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Remember, everything happens for a reason and God's timing is not our own. I have faith that everything will make sense in the end – you just have to get over this rocky mountain. You have my number … feel free to call anytime while you are away on your "sabbatical."

Ps. His life is not at all a box of chocolates ... that is apparent from his actions over the last few years.

More Photos of Baby J!

2006-06-06T14:02:00.000-05:00

Here are some more pictures of Baby Jocelyn at six weeks. I cannot wait until I get to go and see her over an upcoming break. Moreover, I thrilled at the prospect of playing catch up with her mama, my bestest friend Kelly. Granted, I would have loved to see them before they left California, but I will settle for a visit to Omaha, Nebraska (the new place they will call home in less than a month).

Little Ms. Knock Out!

Daddy J and Baby J!

Externship Search 2007!

2006-06-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the dark-side of law school: the ultimate search for a summer job that will morph itself into a real-honest-to-goodness-paying job.

So far, the search has been a complete bust, but I have only been searching for about three days now. Working at the ARC has brought many things into focus, and most of the things revolve around how little thought I have actually given to anything after law school (it has also taught me that if I actually studied the entire term, instead of the last three weeks, I might actually get something higher than my two B-s and A- from last term). Apparently, I am graduating in December of 2007. What does this mean? Well, it means that I need to find myself a summer job for this time next year – or put it off until Fall ’07 (which has it own set of ups and downs). If you had asked me a month ago when I was graduating, my answer would have been vague and led you to believe that I would in-fact be in law school forever. Sadly, my bosses decided that I needed a reality check.

This brings us full-circle to my bust of a three-day search. However, there is some good news from my extensive three-day-scavenger-hunting process – I was able to find at least five possible externships that are in stones throw of some relative's abode. This way I can live for free while I work for free (it only seems fair).

If you know anyone who works as a Criminal Prosecutor or Defense Attorney in Florida (either Miami/Ft. Lauderdale or Sarasota/Tampa areas) and is looking for a Summer Associate in ‘07, drop me a line.

How did your state score?

2006-06-03T12:05:00.000-05:00

Being from Florida, I believe that I know "how" to drive. Naturally, this translates into "I know how to speed and whip in and out of traffic at 85MPH." Nevertheless, I refuse to believe that FL drivers are so much worse than MI drivers. After two years of law school here in MI, I refuse to believe that MI ranks #17 for best drivers. Seriously, people in this state make up their own rules for driving every time you turn around. <sigh>

See how your state rank (1 = best, 51 = worst).

Rank	State	Score	Rank	State	Score
1	Oregon	90.6	27	Arkansas	83.8
2	Washington	88.2	28	Virginia	83.5
3	Vermont	87.5	29	Arizona	83.4
4	Idaho	87.3	30	Georgia	83.2
4	South Dakota	87.3	30	Louisiana	83.2
6	Montana	87.2	32	North Carolina	83.1
7	Nebraska	87	32	Maine	83.1
8	Kansas	86.8	34	Ohio	83
9	Iowa	86.7	35	Oklahoma	82.9
10	Wyoming	86.2	36	Alabama	82.8
11	Wisconsin	86.1	37	Missouri	82.7
12	Minnesota	86	37	Delaware	82.7
13	Alaska	85.8	39	Nevada	82.6
14	California	85.6	40	South Carolina	82.3
15	Indiana	85.2	40	Florida	82.3
15	Colorado	85.2	42	Pennsylvania	82.1
17	Michigan	85.1	43	New Mexico	81.5
18	North Dakota	85	44	Connecticut	80.9
19	West Virginia	84.8	45	Hawaii	80.7
20	Utah	84.5	46	Maryland	79.5
21	Mississippi	84.4	47	New York	79.4
22	Illinois	84.3	48	New Jersey	78.6
23	Tennessee	84.2	48	Massachusetts	78.6
24	Texas	84	50	District of Columbia	76.5
24	Kentucky	84	51	Rhode Island	75.1
26	New Hampshire	83.9

Source: GMAC Insurance

Eleven Answers to the Question “How Did Your Grades Turn Out?”

2006-06-01T11:40:00.000-05:00

Borrowed from BWV

“Awesome. We use a C+ curve, right?”

“Haven’t gotten ‘em yet. They’re still trying to figure out how to calculate an A-plus-plus.”

“I don’t know…everything after the congratulatory call from Justice O’Connor is pretty much a blur.”

“There are brown mice and white mice. I’m definitely a brown mouse.”

“I could totally beat you at Super Mario 3.”

“Letters, mostly.”

“To tell you the truth, I was pretty disappointed. 4.3 is kind of my unlucky number.”

“Come again? I am not from your country. Please pass the biscuits.”

“A lady never reveals her grades.” (Only works for us ladies.)

“Not so great. But at least my nose isn’t gushing blood.”

“How are my grades? Great! How’s that bedwetting thing going?”

The Grump Says ...

2006-05-25T19:15:00.000-05:00

First of all - I would like to apologize for my extended absence absence from the blogosphere. Ever since school has started back up, I have been wrapped up in my new role as high-paid and high-powered Graduate Assistant, but that is sure to be the source of many other yawns and is beyond the scope of this post.

Anyhow, I went and watched "United 93" the other day, and it was pretty good. And, by "pretty good", I mean that it was so spot-on that the realness of it made me feel sick to my stomach several times. My fear in gong to the movie was that they would try to over-dramatize the passengers--that they would try to portray Todd Beamer as some sort of airborne William Wallace (sans the face paint, buns of steel, and the kilt) screaming "Let's Roll" at the top of his lungs while brandishing a broadsword and charging at the terrorists. Fortunately, that was not the case... Go see the movie. You won't be able to quit thinking about exactly what was happening when it was all going down...

Milk and Gas

2006-05-21T18:13:00.000-05:00

After a trip to Horrocks, I came to the realization that I could fill up my tank with milk and pay less per gallon than I do for gasoline. Granted, my car performance would go down significantly. So I guess I'll stick with the gas.

Grades People, I want GRADES!!

2006-05-17T11:55:00.000-05:00

Or maybe not. I have no idea how I actually did on either final, which normally means I did only "okay" in that class. Sigh. I have only a few more days to wait, but the wait is finally getting to me (i.e., I am developing a slight twitch in my left eye). I took these stupid tests over five weeks ago, and I am still waiting. One of my Profs was real nice and looking out for us, and during the first week of classes he sent out a short email that said "... do not bother looking for my grades until sometime on the last day they are due because you will not find them until that time ...."

Oy!

Happy Mother's Day

2006-05-14T18:17:00.000-05:00

Here is wishing all mothers a very Happy Mother's Day (and a wonderful year to come) ... especailly my mom (Deb), Paula, Grandma Mary, Grandma Carol, A. Susan, A. Darlene, A. Susie, A. Kathy, Kelly, Christina, Dawn, and Rachel.

Back in the Land-O-Blogs

2006-05-12T11:55:00.000-05:00

Holy Sharkbait Batman! What a whirlwind the last few weeks have been, and from the looks of things, it is only getting started.

I guess I should recap the last few weeks as briefly as possible; however, as you can see, I am posting a ton of pictures. With luck, normal posting should resume within the next few days, but then again

Florida Trip 1: The last few days of the trip were jam-packed and well worth the lack of sleep. I saw the other side of the family in South Florida; came back and hung out with the parents; look at an eight-week old WFT puppy that I feel in love with, but decided that I would not be able to take proper care of him at this point in time … plus he was 700 bucks, and that would take a huge chunk out of my measly savings; and, finally, I was able to play catch-up with all of my favorite ladies at Century Bank, FSB – most notably, Nikki (Nikki, cannot wait for a repeat in August).

Mom and I getting ready to leave for the SRQ 'Hob-Nob'

Nikki and I at the SCC "Hob Nob"

Coconut Grove Pictures

SRQ pictures

Mom and Steph on a walk around the 'hood

Flight from Hell Part II: Well, let’s just say that it involves an unscheduled landing, an over night stay in a ghetto hotel, lost luggage, and renting the last car in all of Tampa – FUN stuff. Thankfully, my other three flight that followed were nowhere near as eventful.

Work: Well, I never realized how much time I actually wasted in law school. Now that I have given up 20-22 hours a week for my graduate/teaching assistant gig(s), 3 hours a week for law review, random task for law journal, not to mention the 6 hours that I actually have to go to class a week, I see how little time I will have over the summer to do anything fun. This is somewhat depressing.

School: Well … there is not much to report here just yet. Classes have only just started. I am taking Tax and Business Organizations, both of which are going to be F-U-N. As for grades, I only have one grade back, and it is an A-. Because it is an elective, I now officially have two GPAs like I am supposed too (my other elective was pass fail). Now it is just a waiting game. I will just have to wait and see. LOVE this part of the process. However, if worse comes to worse I can always get a job at star$.

Florida Trip 2: I love Florida: the weather, the people, family, and sunshine, which is different from the weather. I spent five days in sunny Miami for my Aunt’s 25th wedding anniversary. It was an awesome event ... see below.

(this is the bad version of this picture, but it is the only one that I have)

Home Life: Hmm. I am not sure if I could be happier. I took over Tiffany’s room, and now I have my own bathroom and tons of storage space. This translates into me never having to leave my room once I actually get home, and this is a very good thing because for the first time since I left my apartment in FL, it feels like I am able to have personal down time and I missed this, but I did. I am very, very stoked about the prospect of “quiet time”.

I am back (sort of).

2006-04-30T08:34:00.000-05:00

Michigan is still cold – belch. I was spoiled with weather in the high 80’s for two straight weeks, and I miss it dearly. Thank the Lord I will be back in Florida in 5 short days, for five days. Yah! Aunt Susie and Uncle Hector are flying me down for their 25th Wedding Anniversary party and huge, HUGE, family weekend. I am looking forward to this.

So. I guess I should post the rest of my pictures and finish the flight from hell story line … but that will have to wait because our house is having technological difficulties. It seems that our wireless router is dead, and this means that four girls are forced to use one computer until we go out and buy a new one – which hopefully is soon. If I owe you an email, phone call, TXT message, or anything else, it is forth coming. I promise.

Off to get ready for a busy Sunday, but thankfully it is a good kind of busy.

A Picture for Hunter

2006-04-20T22:24:00.000-05:00

Hi Hunter!Not sure if I can actually bring myself to catch the lizard that you requested, but I did take a picture of one for you!

Everyone else, I will post more pictures in the Morning of the last few days before I head out for Miami Beach for the weekend. Hope all is well with ya'll.

:) legal lane (vlj)

Today via Food:

2006-04-18T20:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a look of what today was like via the food that we ate. Sadly, I deleted the lunch picture by accident, and it was the most impressive (fresh scallops sautéed in garlic sauce over linguine …it very yummy).

Steph, Sall, and Jinan (Steph's BFF) Making Pancakes

Operation Pancake 2006

Not Being in a Pancake Mood, I Made Myself a Spinach & Cheese Omlet

Me Holding the Kingfish for Dad

Dad Putting the Fish on the Grill

So, the last time my dad cooked was back in 1987, and it was not eatable. However, he managed to grill us girls some fish steaks that were tender and juicy, while mom was at her Junior League meeting. I am very proud of him. I made some black-beans and rice and a side salad.

Side Salads All in a Row