Oil. Imperialism. Retaliation. The real reason we're still at war: To keep prostitutes paid.
Well played ladies, almost pulled a fast one... uh, I feel like I need to thoroughly sanitize my hands after typing that...
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
New Answer to 'Why PD'
I took a class awhile ago called "Literature and the Occult". We covered potent topics like Plato's mirror, Schrodinger's box, Jung's archetypes, Bram Stroker's Dracula, Cristobal, and of course, Messages from Michael (of course, of course). My professor was a brilliant woman who also led me through Literature of the South and Late Shakespeare, and wrote me what I can only assume was a fantastic LOR. She studied earned her PhD at Cal, and still knew some people there who had led the forefront in and were still deeply involved in studying the essences and spirituality of Michael. I don't feel like explaining it, read about it there.
These Occult specialists were allegedly able to gather your essence - possibly a past life if your essence was strong enough- just by knowing your first, last and middle names, along with your DOB. Sounds like a ponzi scheme, right? Well, the small class trusted the professor and her cohorts enough to see what this stuff was all about. We were familiar with the material, had already discussed which Goal, Modes, and Attitudes we thought applied, so why not see if those checked out?
Everyone's pre-conception about themselves was eerily spot on. Being the skeptic I am, I wrote that off as quasi-psuedo-hackery.
But then I read my past life. I was the only one in the class who had one:
You were once the bold leader of an audacious band of thieves, and you now make an effort to avoid that lifestyle, possibly even attempting to atone for the recklessness of your actions.
That's my new "Why PD" answer: "I was a thief in a past life, so a lawyer in this one felt right".
These Occult specialists were allegedly able to gather your essence - possibly a past life if your essence was strong enough- just by knowing your first, last and middle names, along with your DOB. Sounds like a ponzi scheme, right? Well, the small class trusted the professor and her cohorts enough to see what this stuff was all about. We were familiar with the material, had already discussed which Goal, Modes, and Attitudes we thought applied, so why not see if those checked out?
Everyone's pre-conception about themselves was eerily spot on. Being the skeptic I am, I wrote that off as quasi-psuedo-hackery.
But then I read my past life. I was the only one in the class who had one:
You were once the bold leader of an audacious band of thieves, and you now make an effort to avoid that lifestyle, possibly even attempting to atone for the recklessness of your actions.
That's my new "Why PD" answer: "I was a thief in a past life, so a lawyer in this one felt right".
Monday, February 8, 2010
Today, and tomorrow?
Have I ever mentioned I have a love/hate relationship with absolutes? Well, I do.
Being guaranteed something is a doubled edgedword sword. Both. For instance, it's nice to know you're guaranteed to receive a large sum of money, no strings attached. That would be great. On the other hand, you could be promised years in jail for said betrothed money; an absolute that absolutely blows.
As a result, I live most of my life flying-by-night. The exception has been the whole law school thing (for awhile my answer to the PD question was "it feels right", and on the nights when it's not something witty or snarky, sometimes it still is).
Now the law school thing has actually helped direct my transient life.
I've mentioned the non-profit I volunteer for a few times. Last week I put myself in touch with the director and put myself out there; since I don't have money, and I have plenty of time, I basically said "use me" in a way that is not as poorly chosen.
As it turns out, there are a few things I can do in addition to working with the locally subjugated and marginalized, one which was offered after giving my schpeel on social justice and the "underdog".
The first thing I'm testing for on Wednesday. Where I'm from, there are a lot of homeless people that need to be accounted for, and the US Census Bureau is more than happy to send people out and about to talk to and tally them, and conduct interviews in specific neighborhoods. As fun as that sounds to do for free, they'll actually pay you. With money (I couldn't believe it either). Following that old acronym of Prior Preparedness Prevents Poor Performance, I aced a practice test (brought me back to the LSAT days...) and hope this works out.
A few reasons are selfish. I like people. I like exploring. I like ID badges.
One is a little more accurate. I think homelessness - though I often tend to like the people affected by it - and the causes of it suck. Enumerating (one of the Census jobs) is a pain in everyones ass, especially the uneducated and ill-equipped, but can procure some real good in the way of the language everyone can speak - money. The mission, for instance, could get better funding. This is a way to help bring the adequate bling to an area stricken with addiction and financial cancer, all while volunteering there and makin' some "scrilla" from the man. The job hours are flexible, and you generally are only working for a few months.
So that's on the radar and trumping the sub-job, though freelance writing is still on the table. Apparently I'll be covering the night beat, if the dude ever gets back to me.
What then, will I do during the summer/3 months from now when I'm done enumerating/supervising/showing people how to get their Census on?
Americorp VISTA has allotted two volunteers to the mission. Haven't met them, sound like great people. Wouldn't mind being one. Well, the director extended me an opportunity to be an intern this summer through that program. Oh, and it's the best kind of internship - (poorly) PAID.
But, there's a couple of potential problems. Americorp sounded 100% on board, but still has to finalized the decision on whether or not they have the funds for extra interns (one I would be). And the internship runs through August 9th-ish. I'm not sure when I have to go to law school (since it's pretty far away and all), but if that interferes this whole thing may go away as quickly as it came... and I'll keep on a'flyin... by the way, more than absolutes, I have a love/hate with idioms.
So here's to hoping... had to get that last one out, sorry.
The daunting part of finding work is that law school is an absolute for me, and in my interviews I've had to mention that my job would have an expiration date (ok, THAT was the last one). Corporate world and conservatives love absolutes.
Today my future life as a litigator kinda helped shape offers for work. As it stands, my life is a bunch of "ifs" and interdependent relationships. I dig. It's much more exciting and life affirming to know stuff can happen just as much as it can't.
And on that note, "whatever will be, will be" (quoting Eddie Money makes it his idiom, not mine).
Being guaranteed something is a doubled edged
As a result, I live most of my life flying-by-night. The exception has been the whole law school thing (for awhile my answer to the PD question was "it feels right", and on the nights when it's not something witty or snarky, sometimes it still is).
Now the law school thing has actually helped direct my transient life.
I've mentioned the non-profit I volunteer for a few times. Last week I put myself in touch with the director and put myself out there; since I don't have money, and I have plenty of time, I basically said "use me" in a way that is not as poorly chosen.
As it turns out, there are a few things I can do in addition to working with the locally subjugated and marginalized, one which was offered after giving my schpeel on social justice and the "underdog".
The first thing I'm testing for on Wednesday. Where I'm from, there are a lot of homeless people that need to be accounted for, and the US Census Bureau is more than happy to send people out and about to talk to and tally them, and conduct interviews in specific neighborhoods. As fun as that sounds to do for free, they'll actually pay you. With money (I couldn't believe it either). Following that old acronym of Prior Preparedness Prevents Poor Performance, I aced a practice test (brought me back to the LSAT days...) and hope this works out.
A few reasons are selfish. I like people. I like exploring. I like ID badges.
One is a little more accurate. I think homelessness - though I often tend to like the people affected by it - and the causes of it suck. Enumerating (one of the Census jobs) is a pain in everyones ass, especially the uneducated and ill-equipped, but can procure some real good in the way of the language everyone can speak - money. The mission, for instance, could get better funding. This is a way to help bring the adequate bling to an area stricken with addiction and financial cancer, all while volunteering there and makin' some "scrilla" from the man. The job hours are flexible, and you generally are only working for a few months.
So that's on the radar and trumping the sub-job, though freelance writing is still on the table. Apparently I'll be covering the night beat, if the dude ever gets back to me.
What then, will I do during the summer/3 months from now when I'm done enumerating/supervising/showing people how to get their Census on?
Americorp VISTA has allotted two volunteers to the mission. Haven't met them, sound like great people. Wouldn't mind being one. Well, the director extended me an opportunity to be an intern this summer through that program. Oh, and it's the best kind of internship - (poorly) PAID.
But, there's a couple of potential problems. Americorp sounded 100% on board, but still has to finalized the decision on whether or not they have the funds for extra interns (one I would be). And the internship runs through August 9th-ish. I'm not sure when I have to go to law school (since it's pretty far away and all), but if that interferes this whole thing may go away as quickly as it came... and I'll keep on a'flyin... by the way, more than absolutes, I have a love/hate with idioms.
So here's to hoping... had to get that last one out, sorry.
The daunting part of finding work is that law school is an absolute for me, and in my interviews I've had to mention that my job would have an expiration date (ok, THAT was the last one). Corporate world and conservatives love absolutes.
Today my future life as a litigator kinda helped shape offers for work. As it stands, my life is a bunch of "ifs" and interdependent relationships. I dig. It's much more exciting and life affirming to know stuff can happen just as much as it can't.
And on that note, "whatever will be, will be" (quoting Eddie Money makes it his idiom, not mine).
Friday, February 5, 2010
My First Rejection!
University of Illinois!
I have never been rejected to a school. Not for Ungergrad, and not even for clown school. Nothing.
That's a great way to put it: Denied. They're trying to redefine 'the bar' scene...get it? Denied at a bar? Funny right?
I think there are a couple reasons. I sent my application in at the end of December, like the 3oth or something. This explains their process.The Dean seems like a cool and straight forward dude:
I didn't go into review until the 17th. So yea, everyone with a higher GPA and the 10% or so with a higher LSAT bumped me out for the 20% of their ~14,000 applications. I think all state schools have a pretty similar MO, but similarly ranked public schools like UofIn.Bloomington, UCLA and UofTexas seem to say 'it doesn't matter when you apply'.
It was a pull to apply at UofICU or UofIn.Bloomington. Statistically, I had a better shot at Bloomington.
But I went with UofI because it was free (I even emailed Bloom petitioning for a waiver.. never heard from 'em). And I even let them know. Here's the first part of my "Why UI" essay:
Yeah, I really sent that to a law school. I went on the blather about their Supreme Court cred, solid national reach and faculty, and whatnot, but really, I was suspicious that the fee free app on their site was to boost applicants, and game the USNews ranking system. It's why schools generally waive fees.
So really, I didn't care to go to UI, I wouldn't have been exploring the Sam Adams Winter Classics variety pack (great stuff minus the lambic) when I wrote my essays if I did. But my old boss went there, it is a great school, and I figured if an hour of my time can help them topple over schools like UMinnesota,BU, USC, WUSTL, it'd be worth my time.
It feels nice to know I'm not wanted.
Ah, and in an interesting bit of irony, I may start working as a freelance writer and a substitute teacher. I posted an entry about a week ago about how I don't want to either of those things.
Life is hilarious, isn't it?
I have never been rejected to a school. Not for Ungergrad, and not even for clown school. Nothing.
That's a great way to put it: Denied. They're trying to redefine 'the bar' scene...get it? Denied at a bar? Funny right?
I think there are a couple reasons. I sent my application in at the end of December, like the 3oth or something. This explains their process.The Dean seems like a cool and straight forward dude:
"We receive a third of our total applications by Thanksgiving, and 66% by January 1st. Applying after that time makes it more difficult, even for some of the "above and beyond" candidates. We only have so much room in the class."
I didn't go into review until the 17th. So yea, everyone with a higher GPA and the 10% or so with a higher LSAT bumped me out for the 20% of their ~14,000 applications. I think all state schools have a pretty similar MO, but similarly ranked public schools like UofIn.Bloomington, UCLA and UofTexas seem to say 'it doesn't matter when you apply'.
It was a pull to apply at UofICU or UofIn.Bloomington. Statistically, I had a better shot at Bloomington.
But I went with UofI because it was free (I even emailed Bloom petitioning for a waiver.. never heard from 'em). And I even let them know. Here's the first part of my "Why UI" essay:
I’m going to be honest. I would not be applying or writing this essay if it were not for the fee waiver. But as I thought about it while I polishing my personal statement, I feel like that is a great testament to the character of the University of Illinois. It often seems like we live in a time of exclusion, and the College of Law has taken a great leap away from that segregated mentality with a fiscal gesture that ensures even working class applicants such as myself will be heard.
Yeah, I really sent that to a law school. I went on the blather about their Supreme Court cred, solid national reach and faculty, and whatnot, but really, I was suspicious that the fee free app on their site was to boost applicants, and game the USNews ranking system. It's why schools generally waive fees.
So really, I didn't care to go to UI, I wouldn't have been exploring the Sam Adams Winter Classics variety pack (great stuff minus the lambic) when I wrote my essays if I did. But my old boss went there, it is a great school, and I figured if an hour of my time can help them topple over schools like UMinnesota,BU, USC, WUSTL, it'd be worth my time.
It feels nice to know I'm not wanted.
Ah, and in an interesting bit of irony, I may start working as a freelance writer and a substitute teacher. I posted an entry about a week ago about how I don't want to either of those things.
Life is hilarious, isn't it?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Quick Post
Just a couple of things:
How do you throw out a garbage can? Wouldn't the ah, "sanitation worker" just leave the empty can on your curb?
And people will actually pay you to blog and freelance write. I've already done this sort of work, but not so much exclusively writing/blogging as writing/blogging/ass saver/slave. After hearing that the bar gets curious if you spend time unemployed and not in school, I've decided it would be prudent to get a job. More to come on that. "Worst" case, I just keep volunteering a couple of times a week.
"Sarcasm" is tough to express in writing. While I think it's effective, E.B. White and W. Strunk advise against using quotations for marking differentiation in what you mean to say, because of the ambiguity it can arouse in the reader. Well, Mr. White, here's what I think of you:
Who thinks of that? A "Master of style"? Let's add that to the empty trash can.
Well, actually that would only "problematize" my trash can dilemma.
How do you throw out a garbage can? Wouldn't the ah, "sanitation worker" just leave the empty can on your curb?
And people will actually pay you to blog and freelance write. I've already done this sort of work, but not so much exclusively writing/blogging as writing/blogging/ass saver/slave. After hearing that the bar gets curious if you spend time unemployed and not in school, I've decided it would be prudent to get a job. More to come on that. "Worst" case, I just keep volunteering a couple of times a week.
"Sarcasm" is tough to express in writing. While I think it's effective, E.B. White and W. Strunk advise against using quotations for marking differentiation in what you mean to say, because of the ambiguity it can arouse in the reader. Well, Mr. White, here's what I think of you:
Who thinks of that? A "Master of style"? Let's add that to the empty trash can.
Well, actually that would only "problematize" my trash can dilemma.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
You say you wan't a revolution...
Well, you know... we all (I) want to change the world (of indigent defense).
I've been trying to avoid the law stuff, but as I approach things like seat deposit dates, orientation and losing my first case (it was only a scholarship appeal, but damnit it was air tight, and I lost on a technicality: "lack of funds, but we'll review your file as funds become available".. sure you will), it's quickly becoming the only thing I can think about.
Public Defender Revolution, a blog written by two veteran, - and from the looks of it badass- PD's, Carol D and K Moran. Carol D looks like she does most, if not all, of the posting, and this is quickly becoming my favorite site next to Asylumn and Court Toons.
It's people like Carol D and PDR (PBR, on bad nights) that remind me my heart is in the right place, and if I am completely crazy, at least I'm not alone.
I was lucky enough to speak with a federal PD who was a little surprised to hear about my PD ambition, and was curious about how I came to the decision that public defense was for me before starting law school, let alone was my reason for wanting to go law school. Long story aside, it's what I need to do.
There's the old cliche: those who can't do, teach. Well, it's a cliche because it's probably true. I'd also add that those are tired of doing wind up teaching too, people that are finished "practicing" their careers - medicine, law, accounting, sports, porn - often go on to teach or write instructional memoirs about their experiences. I think it's for that reason a lot of education systems start to fail. How can an instructor inspire a kid if they don't really need to?
So, I guess I could teach. I obviously do write. I mean, I have a degree in English. I studied the subject because I really love the language - the concrete yet the abstract nature of it. The critical theory, challenging canons and "author/authority". It's awesome.
But it's lofty. It's romanticized. And talking about it all day wouldn't be my cup of tea. I'd get bored. I spent a good three years studying it already, and I don't really want to "practice" English. My favorite parts of English classes were the least teachable parts of the language. Logic, argument, persistence. Fuck form. Fuck the rules. Go with what feels right, and make a good case.
But why a public defender? Why not some other, more glamorous public interest law like Housing Rights or DV shelters?
Well, for the same reasons I don't want to teach. PD work is concrete and directed. It's forging ahead through a complex of tax payers, police officers, DAs, "expert" witnesses and judges that would just as soon shove poor, broken people out of sight and mind into a steel cage than take the steps to help get their lives together.. it really seems like exciting and righteous work, being on the front lines every day doing something that actually matters; acting as a bulwark between state imposed retribution and justice. Between freedom and a steel cage. Plus, I really like stories (clients), not cases (Law and Order episodes). And I couldn't imagine wasting the precious, apathetic and clueless tax payers dollars throwing people in jail.
I had a couple shitty things said to me this week, and coming across Carol D and her blog was just what I needed. It's optimistic but not naive (she's plenty experienced), funny but not insensitive, and best of all - revolutionary. She has a lot of passion for reforming this busted system, and I have a lot of respect for that.
Thanks Carol D. You're a hero in my book. Fight the good fight, I'll be on the lines with you in a couple years.
I've been trying to avoid the law stuff, but as I approach things like seat deposit dates, orientation and losing my first case (it was only a scholarship appeal, but damnit it was air tight, and I lost on a technicality: "lack of funds, but we'll review your file as funds become available".. sure you will), it's quickly becoming the only thing I can think about.
Public Defender Revolution, a blog written by two veteran, - and from the looks of it badass- PD's, Carol D and K Moran. Carol D looks like she does most, if not all, of the posting, and this is quickly becoming my favorite site next to Asylumn and Court Toons.
It's people like Carol D and PDR (PBR, on bad nights) that remind me my heart is in the right place, and if I am completely crazy, at least I'm not alone.
I was lucky enough to speak with a federal PD who was a little surprised to hear about my PD ambition, and was curious about how I came to the decision that public defense was for me before starting law school, let alone was my reason for wanting to go law school. Long story aside, it's what I need to do.
There's the old cliche: those who can't do, teach. Well, it's a cliche because it's probably true. I'd also add that those are tired of doing wind up teaching too, people that are finished "practicing" their careers - medicine, law, accounting, sports, porn - often go on to teach or write instructional memoirs about their experiences. I think it's for that reason a lot of education systems start to fail. How can an instructor inspire a kid if they don't really need to?
So, I guess I could teach. I obviously do write. I mean, I have a degree in English. I studied the subject because I really love the language - the concrete yet the abstract nature of it. The critical theory, challenging canons and "author/authority". It's awesome.
But it's lofty. It's romanticized. And talking about it all day wouldn't be my cup of tea. I'd get bored. I spent a good three years studying it already, and I don't really want to "practice" English. My favorite parts of English classes were the least teachable parts of the language. Logic, argument, persistence. Fuck form. Fuck the rules. Go with what feels right, and make a good case.
But why a public defender? Why not some other, more glamorous public interest law like Housing Rights or DV shelters?
Well, for the same reasons I don't want to teach. PD work is concrete and directed. It's forging ahead through a complex of tax payers, police officers, DAs, "expert" witnesses and judges that would just as soon shove poor, broken people out of sight and mind into a steel cage than take the steps to help get their lives together.. it really seems like exciting and righteous work, being on the front lines every day doing something that actually matters; acting as a bulwark between state imposed retribution and justice. Between freedom and a steel cage. Plus, I really like stories (clients), not cases (Law and Order episodes). And I couldn't imagine wasting the precious, apathetic and clueless tax payers dollars throwing people in jail.
I had a couple shitty things said to me this week, and coming across Carol D and her blog was just what I needed. It's optimistic but not naive (she's plenty experienced), funny but not insensitive, and best of all - revolutionary. She has a lot of passion for reforming this busted system, and I have a lot of respect for that.
Thanks Carol D. You're a hero in my book. Fight the good fight, I'll be on the lines with you in a couple years.
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