changes

Wow, shocking how much law school has changed me already. Something I used to LOVE doing (I'll leave out the details), is just ok now. It's certainly not as fun as I used to think it was. Or is it because I have something on my mind? Eh, who knows.

Sadly, winter break has already become a little boring, with nothing much to do, I almost want to be reading or working or something just so I have something to do. Maybe it's because I get to see all my friends every day when we're in school or maybe it really gives me something to do. I shiver at the thought if it being the latter, but I still can't discount its possibility. God, law school, how have you taken my life over so quickly?? It is nice to be able to just relax, but there's just too much of it now. Scary. At least to me.

Time for some ranting and venting. The technology at USD SUCKS. It doesn't kind of suck, it doesn't suck, it SUCKS. How can students not find their professors' e-mail addresses on the net? Seriously, why would you remove that info? We can't get adequate internet connection at school and now you've taken away our easiest way to contact our professors??? Why would you do that? Seriously??

Now, I know we're friends. I know we used to be more. I know I said I'd always be there for you. But why the hell should it remain this way when you've NEVER been and NEVER will be there for me? Maybe as a friend I should feel bad for your situation, but as an ex, why the hell should I feel bad because the guy you most likely cheated on me with broke up with you??? As a friend, I should feel bad, but I don't. I really don't. Not anymore. There are good people, there are bad people and there are those in between. You're not a bad person, you're not a good person. You are in between with a tilt towards the bad. I mean, you're not a god awful person, there are just some qualities that I think a human being should have that you lack. Not only am I over it, I'm GLAD it's over. It took me a while to see all this, but damn am I glad I see it now. Act like a bitch all you want, just don't BE one. I know, you don't act like THAT big of a bitch, but I know you. I was there when you had no one else to talk to, I know what you're really like. Your "friends" don't know, you hide it well. And I helped you hide it. I didn't tell people about the ugliness that I saw. I just don't get why it took me so long to SEE. I guess my good friend was right. Love blinds.

Other people act and talk bitchy but a person's true nature will shine through. I guess that's what makes the difference. You can act how you want, but people can tell whether or not you truly have a heart. I'm glad the people I met are, for the most part, people with hearts. It took me a while, but I can tell the difference now. Hopefully.

But seriously, what is wrong with knowing a girl cut her hair? I don't get it. I didn't ask, I was told. I don't get what's wrong with that and I don't get why it's a bigger deal just because she's taken. Maybe that's because I don't get what is wrong with it in the first place. Whatever, maybe I (and the 2 other guys in the car) just don't get it. Maybe there's nothing to get. I don't know, whatever.

Argh, have to get my car worked on. Need to call the dentist to set up a time to come in before I leave for SD again. I don't think that leaves me too much time, I don't know. We'll find out. I think I want to go to Vegas enough now that I'd pick Vegas over the dental appointment. But I really don't think I should. I mean, the dentist is kind of important. But at the same time, Vegas could be sooooooooooooo much fun. Either way, I think I can get away without Vegas getting in the way of the dental appointment. They don't overlap all that much. I guess the real issue is having to actually BE in SD before the Vegas trip, knocking out a few days. But I will DEFINITELY go to SD earlier. That one's non-optional. Argh, whatever. Back to relaxing. And perhaps reading more of my all so exciting "USD International Law Journal." God this is sad, I'm a total law-geek.

it's over

Finals are over, I'm officially 1/6 of the way through law school. How did I do? I guess we'll find out in a month or two. Either way, it's true, the two weeks before finals are hell. I've never spent so much time studying in my life, and sadly, I didn't spend nearly as much time as others.

So after the last final, it was drinking all day. Literally. Now that I'm home, it feels wierd not to have to read anything and I actually feel bad for not reading anything law-related. It's like I'm supposed to or something, so I'm actually reading some opinions posted by one of my profs. on his blog. I have to admit, I've become a nerd. No, I've become a law-nerd. I might have to go in the corner and cry later.

It is, however, REALLY REALLY nice to be able to go back to doing what I love best. Sitting at home all day with nothing to worry about watching TV/DVDs and just relaxing. I've not been able to do that since, well, forever. Reality? Since school started. It just seems like forever.

Sadly even that's not enough, certainly missing some people at school. One specifically, which is not good at all since I'm not supposed to. I certainly wasn't planning on it. Oh well, whatever happens happens. Yes, I miss others too, but just this one in particular bugs me the most. Well, I guess I shouldn't say it bugs me since it doesn't bug me all THAT much, but I do find myself thinking about her more often than I should (or would like to).

It's nice to see old friends again though, but it's wierd since I feel like I don't have much to talk to them about anymore since, well, I don't want to bore them with law school stuff and that's pretty much all I got. Again, I think I'll have to go and cry in the corner over the fact that I'm a total law-nerd now. Eh, whatever. All's good.

saw this and had to share

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS in Legalese (Author unknown)

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.

A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter. The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.

Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as ("I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the party of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g., kerchief and cap.

Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e., the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.

At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.

Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (hereinafter "the Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co- conspirator named "Rudolph" may have been involved.)

The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney.

Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations.

Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.)

Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.

However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or excl.. "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect.

no time

Since I've not had much time to update this, I decided to just cheat a little and quote from my Civ Pro professor's blog:

Carson v. Billings (9th Cir. - Dec. 8, 2006)
Did you know that the reasonable rate for the typical, very experienced civil rights lawyer in Montana is a mere $150/hour? Indeed, that extremely experienced employment attorneys in Big Sky Country typically charge only $125, $130, and $140/hour? I definitely did not.

That's nonetheless what I learned from this case. Which affirmed a decision by the district court that rejected the effort by plaintiff's counsel to obtain a reasonable hourly fee of between $195-$205/hour after successful prosecution of a federal sex discrimination claim against the Billings, Montana Police Department.

I know many lawyers in Southern California who wouldn't take a dump for $150/hour. Much less for $125/hour. Indeed, I know several paralegals who are billed out at more.

Surprising. But I guess markets are markets. You learn something new every day.

Montana ain't California. 'Nuff said.
- posted by Shaun Martin @ 1:29 PM

Maybe I'm just a lowly 1L right now, but I think I'd be HAPPY to work for $150 /hour.

On a quick side note, torts is done and so is civ pro. Now it's just a matter of failing property.