Wasting Time

JOSH KELLEY, "Amazing"

You paint a picture on the wall
Cause you've got a lot to tell me
But you don't think you could say it better oh baby

You're bringing up times I can't recall
And I'm sure they made your point
But I just can't seem to remember yeah

And I know you've got the feeling
And I can't say I'm agreeing
With your topic of conversation
So just listen to the reasons
And the hints I've been giving
To the thoughts of my imagination

[Chorus]
So come on let me see
I say baby you are amazing
I want to let you see
That you are everything and more to me
I will let you be I will I will

Cause I saw you walking down the hall
And I had a lot to tell you
But I didn't think you could say it better oh baby

You're good at makin me feel so small
And I know you made your point
But I just don't want to remember yeah

And I know you've got the feelin
And I cant say I'm agreein with your topic of conversation
So just listen to the reasons
And the hints that I've been giving
To the thoughts of my imagination

[Chorus]

Cause I'm dancing around
In your world of play
I'm takin my time to make sure you stay
I would give my life to make it okay yeah

So come on let me see...

Its not the meaning of life...
its the feeling of it.

"Two wrongs don't make one civil right."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/27/jena.six/index.html

1L does not equate to give me your advice

Quick rant.

Why is it that every upper class men feels obliged to provide me with her take on how I should be taking 1L life. I understand constructive criticism, I understand helpful insight, I do not under any circumstances appreciate, respect, yet have certainly come to EXPECT having  my colleagues and I to be told apparently "to suck it up"....

This is not high school. You are not the kool kidz. I am over it, I am over you, and I'm done with the BS. Uh.....One day, I may truly be forced to share with the Upperclassmen, that despite popular belief, I made it through two baccalaureate programs with 2 degrees, and have two masters diplomas waiting to be framed....and surprise surprise, I did in-fact, make it to the SAME Law School. All without being told how to do it.

That aside...I was having a GREAT DAY and NOT TALKING TO THE UPPER CLASSMEN WHO GAVE HER UNINVITED, UNWELCOME, RAIN ON MY PARADE, Comment that ruined my colleagues day. In the shortest: How Rude.

All aside. Getting 5 hours of sleep is starting to seem normal, not getting text messages in lecture hall, on the metro, or pretty much when my phone doesn't wanna still weird.

Other oddity. I'm in law school, I should know what bombast means without having to look it up. Really.

Night :)

Today

Today started off well enough.

Late as usual, but awake, and prepared to hop on my 9am rail to school.
For those that caught that, yes, it's Sunday, a weekend, and I'm going to school--Library, Study Group, Legal Methods to be exact, .
Just like Next Saturday, I will be going to school, Writing Lab, 4 hours, grammar.
Life as a 1L.

I've learned, we're not graded on the curve that hinges on "imaginary competition, amongst colleagues." Undoubtedly that curve is their. As phrased by a 2L,
"Everyone fails, you just want to fail the least..."

No--the curve in law school is not about how you're doing compared to your neighbor. Its about how good "you" as an individual are doing at keeping up with the "learning curve."
Sure it starts off rough,....30 pages a night, 5 classes a week, week one.
the increments steadily increase. 40 pages a night, week two. 45 pages week 3.
Week 4, you are reading 50 a night and not blinking. In addition to reading you now have "Memo's due" and Cases to "shepardize." You have in fact stopped briefing all your cases for all your classes, and are realizing, "hey, I read."
***
But Lets catch up.

My Friday night

My FIRST Friday night out in weeks, maybe months? A baseball game, that one of the Law-clubs on campus sponsored. Being a would-be member of this organization, I thought it choice to attend.

Straight from school, I am picked up at 4:30 to arrive at the tail-gate at 5ish. I have not changed from my "conservative" school clothes, but have tried to "blend" and opted to wear a baseball cap that has my "School" name on it. (woo-hoo)
As I am being handed a wine-cooler, to my mentors astonishment, she acknowledges and admonishes, that still in my hand is my reading for Legal Methods along with five beautiful highlighters, for the ever revered multi-highlighting book brief shortcuts discussed in Law School Confidential-which indeed I have never read.

Unlike my group members, not present for said function, I realize I must play catch-up, and knowing I have NO Interest in Baseball, That I will be reading at this game.....
I'm let off the social "party-foul" hook, as I take my first drink.

3 and a half hours, 2 more drinks, and after witnessing my mentor do a Keg-stand, I am realizing that I desperately need to leave.

Of course, once again, I'm admonished and praised for being the better and yet most boring student of the lot.

***
Saturday

I ignore the social calls once more to go out for lunch, and settle for something "boxed" as take-out, only by promising to meet for dinner, I brought my highlighters and reading to dinner.

***
Today, Sunday.
I woke up. (I've learned, "that counts.")

I'm ready to leave, when, "where is the cat?" comes into my head, and out of my mouth.

"Kitty" "Time to come home"

-she didn't come...I walked for a block, looked up and down tree's and she didn't come. I missed my rail. I of course have 5 hours to make the next rail. (As study group isn't til 2:30 this afternoon. But, after my ride had left, of course, on my steps, is my beautiful blue cat. She's grounded. But relieved as I was, I let her curl up next to me, and was just happy to have her safe. The things that matter, right?

Speaking of which, I've decided to share some encouragement, before I delete most:
Here are the things (some of the text) that are currently in my phone, that get me through my day: [edited of course for readability and protection of identity]

"Improvise, adapt, overcome, and kill someone if you have to!" --Marine 5/3/05
"There comes a point in your life where you realize who really matters, who never did, and who never will. Send this to those who matter" -Mom 9/28/06
"A person you dislike is like a slinky. Useless until you push them down the stairs and it brings a smile to your face."-John Doe. 12/14/06
From my mother, asking me to send a msg to my father, after a divorce of 20 years, "Happy 28th Anniversary; I'm still happy because I got you" Mom, 6/16/07
"I love you too" My Favorite Sister 7/31/07
"All work and no fun makes..." S 8/1/07
"I am out in Texas now...Like I said baby just try and remember how you have pulled out of worse situations before. You're a soldier, remember beautiful." 8/7/07 -"Dirk"
"Good luck with everything out there. I know you will rock it" 8/10/07
"You need to know that it is about you now.  Honey, this entire struggle is your investment in YOUR life....If someone ins in your life now and they are not helping, they are in the way. Seriously, you have worked way to hard to let anyone bring you down. Just so you know, I am proud to know  someone that knows what they want, and that has the drive and stick-tu-a-tiveness.  Thats you honey. One amazing woman that has everything anyone couldask for. Be strong like I know you are. Soon enough you will be through school and your struggle now will pay off for the rest of your life. With love honey" "Dirk" 8/20/07
"Sounds like you're fighting your way to greatness. " S 8/24/07
"Good luck. I'm sure its hard to gauge any progress at this point, but in the long term you will do great. Just remember to take a second to look around" 9/4/07
After the posting of "Law School Musical" -"I know that you would make a hott mess compared to the guy in the video in that situation" S 9/11/07
"I read your latest blog..."  S 9/18/07

I guess my letters to No One do reach Someone, and maybe the "ideas" will reach everyone.

Time to purge the phone in hopes, that someone will fill it up again with an equal amount of encouragement. Wishing my little universe some hope...


http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-22-jena-tensions_N.htm

Torts 101. You tell me?

Torts 101. Battery. Assault. False imprisonment. Violation of the USC 1983...yeah you can go there. ....
How about trespass, self-defense, right to arrest, resisting arrest?
Reasonable force.

Taken directly from the kids website, I'm left wondering what the outcome could be....

Andrew Meyer is currently incarcerated in Alachua County.  While asking U.S. Senator John Kerry a question during a question and answer period following Kerry's speech at the University of Florida, Meyer was attacked by five police officers, manhandled and tasered.  Fortunately there are videos and many witnesses to this injustice.  Some articles and videos are linked below.  Please show your support by educating yourselves and raising awareness by letting others know what has happened.  Continue checking back to this website for updates. http://www.theandrewmeyer.com/

 

NBC Video

http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250

 

Video on Digg (Please digg this!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag

Keep DIGGING!  This is currently number one on DIGG!!!

 

FoxNews! (Meyer made the front page of FoxNews.com)

http://www.foxnews.com/

The article is located at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297126,00.html

 

 

University of Florida Newspaper "The Alligator"

The Alligator Article

 

Gainesville Sun

Gainesville Sun Article

 

NOW... here's something else....Just a note. My two cents, and maybe just "sense". Within 24 hours this has sparked national campus wide protest. Why is it that Mychael Bell has spent 9 months in prison, with only Historically Black Universities being upset. Why is the media so eager to take up one causeand not another?

Why is Mychael treated and reported in the media like a "convicted criminal," when only "allegations" are available? Why is it that Mychael's been in prison for 9 months when prosecution  admitted had he pleaded, he should have only received a 5 month maximum sentence? Why isn't the media possibly releasing to the public that The Jenna 6 were also victims and not solely perpetrators of violence???


May I remind people that are upset about the Kerry/UF  incident, that this is 48 hours of injustice, to an adult. It's well documented, well published....and undoubtedly, will receive excellent representation.

Mychael. The judge dismissed the charges. The DA has yet to refile. The alleged "beating" was treated same day. Do I condone Mychael's behavior, IF in fact the allegations were found true and a FAIR trial were held. No. But like Andrew Myer's case....there is a thing as "reasonable force."

For that matter, there is something to be said about not allowing oneself to be scared into silence or submission.

Tomorrow, along with two metropolitan "national schools,"  I will be supporting the fight of injustice to Everyone, everywhere by wearing Black, there will probably be at least 600 of us. We've alerted the media to come. What do you think little universe?
Think they'll care? Think we might (JUST MIGHT????) get 5 minutes on the ten o'clock news? I don't know....but I'm hopeful.

Let me know your thoughts little universe.

My thoughts can't keep up with the page...

If only you knew....

Lately, that's the sentence on my mind. If only you knew.....

Well let us begin with something said weeks ago:

Prayer. Do I pray. More often then never, and even more now.
But let me qualify my statement.
I don't look to prayer as my slot machine, and a higher being as some glorious casino ready to pay out, if I just say the right magic words.
In the words and vision of  life as a 1L, I don't use Prayer, like it's an element in Contract.
quid pro quo. This for that.
I'm guessing, if there is a higher power, and I'm pretty sure there is, (s)he/the concept, is not one for wagers. I mean after all, what could I really offer?
If I'm a good hearted/spirited/[insert your choice of quality] here, I'm guessing this supreme being is well aware of my devotions, and needs no "trinkets" of my devotion....
My not eating choclate for a week is not gonna get me the "A" I need or want in a course, it won't make me thin or "prettier" (because everyone is gorgeous, and truly, I believe that I'm pretty damn hott....lol), but really, my bargaining skills aren't gonna do much for a higher power that supposably created everything right? I mean what could ya really offer? your soul? Um, hello? the words, no duh.....and weren't ya gonna do that anyway, come into play....I mean really, whats the alternative?

If you'd like a synopsis on "that particuliar" religious beliefs of mine and the irony of it all, see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AalXl2dc0Kk&mode=related&search=

Don't be offended, or do. it just makes me laugh. Vicious cycle indeed.

So yes, I pray. in fact I've been to our chapel often lately. Odd thing. Our school used to be an all girls catholic school. so right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. there it is.

Last week I had the opportunity to hear "We shall overcome"....amazing.

Sigh. Jenna 6.
Anyone else as excited and happy? I hope you all are keeping tabs.
REMEMBER its not over yet. Mychal Bell is still in jail.  He and his parents still need support.  I happen to know the attorneys working on this trial. and
 For up to date action I can say http://www.freethejena6.org/
is a pretty great source.
Buy a shirt, write a blog, call a politician, and end this nonsense.
You heard me nonsense.
I hardly ever go there, but if people can't get past the superficial exteriors, well what does that say about your interior. (See above)

Sigh. thats been the bulk of it. Trying to fight for justice, while keeping an A.
Oh, yeah, I got an A.
Lots of work, and little sleep, with no guarantees that the ends justify the means, but hey...the Mychal Bells of the world need my help.

I'm getting it little universe. I'm finding my place. Not in that social circle of "acceptance" but in that marginalized circle of dreamers.

Last note, before I return to Torts....
My mom sent me a picture of my baby sister the other night. I say baby, because she's still a little girl to me, but she's 17 now. Mychal Bells age.
Now, I never claimed to have much. Life of hard knocks, with a school that had security guards that were crooked enough to get me out of class.....
but....in this world I grew up. Up and out. And I'm in law school now. Two masters under my belt, and more debt then you could guess, but trying....
and when I call my mom crying and ask her why I even bother....she didn't make me believe her I needed to go on until I saw a picture of my baby sister....

Now. Please don't think. Homecoming, or Prom, or Some Great high school even.
No.... My sister was sleeping.

My sister was sleeping on a card-board box.

Please don't get me wrong, its not as bad as you may think...It's just, we don't have carpet. Actually we don't have tile either. its concrete. Foundation. But its home. Carpet is expensive, and my mom pays the morgage on the house, and when its paid off, well its will be HER home. and it just never mattered.
But weathers gotten cold, and if you ever watch TV on the floor, well, your butts gonna freeze. So my sister in all of her wisdom, brought some huge cardboard box home, and set it up on her floor.

What gets me most. Is over the summer, when I was home....she'd give up her bed and sleep on that cardboard box, just so I could have a bed.  Isn't that something?

Well anyways, that was the picture. My sister was peacefully asleep on a cardboard box.
The caption read "This is why."

"Id."short for "idem,"meaning the same. Similar to "ibid."an abbreviation for "ibidem,"latin for "the getting everything one wants, and still wanting more.

State v. Killer; Life as a 1L continues

Friday, I may have time to update...Really, I'll try, but until...

My Class Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ABhatAfsA
I don't know how the hell a 1-L had the time....but wow....so true.

I have more to say. swear. just. later. miss you universe.

A day of rememberance

I've spent the past two days in my Law Schools Chapel....and though I have much to say, on the feelings of that alone, I have no time to say it now....

Today, I dawn my "pin" for the first time under the saddest of circumstances.  Today the school will stop. From 12:15 to 1pm. A month and a day. We will remember Oliver Hill.

If you do not know who this great man is, I invite you to read a short synopsis:
http://www.naacpldf.org/content.aspx?article=1187

Amazing, how death can put life into perspective. Amazing how one life changed so many others.....

Today, it isn't about being a 1L or how much books cost, or the bureaucracy of trying to get a refund check...From 12:15 to 1pm, the school will stop.
 I will stop.
I will remember my legacy.
I will carry the torch.

No way its this easy....

Legal Methods has 22 classes, as of today I have completed 11 of those classes.

I am halfway done.  Not possible you say? Oh but it is. If you account for holidays, and the 3 days we have off (called "reading period")  to prepare for our exams. There are 11 more actual classes.

And me? I'm finally breathing. After a serious four day retreat of non-stop reading, a color coding folder and notebook OCD compulsion, plus this handy dandy calender idea I created for myself (also OCD and color coded)....I finally feel like I have things under control. well maybe....we'll see in a week.

All and all I'm relaxing. I even watched a movie today. I may regret not utilizing the time to study tomorrow, but in the moment, I'm feeling ok.

In all reality I'm leary....its like the calm before the storm. I know its gonna hit, its just a matter of when, and hoping I got no slip shoes on. :)

On another positive note. I think I may have a friend or two.
Well, nicer colleagues anyways.

Hope everyone is doing well in their own little universe., mine seems to be aligning nicely with the sun.