No Money, Mo' Problems

Today was the first day I can remember where I spent literally no money. I didn't have time during the work day to take my usual break to Dunkin Donuts in the morning. Or the afternoon. I didn't go out for dinner. I didn't buy something crazy online, or see a movie, or go out for a drink. Nothing. I need to start having more days like this. Or surrender all my worldly possessions and head out on my own into nature, Siddhartha-style. That sounds terrible, though I wouldn't have to worry about spending money. These days Siddhartha would be mistaken for just some other crazy homeless guy. And you know what, I'm not sure that the people mistaking him would be entirely incorrect.

There was a story on abovethelaw.com about all the summer associates at Akin Gump (a big law firm, for those of you who are lucky enough not to have just gone through OCI or just don't know) icing a bunch of full-time associates (actual lawyers). If you don't know what icing is yet, you might be better off. Though it is a wholly amusing idea. But summer associates getting ballsy enough to ice people who hold future job opportunities in their hands? That takes true bro-ish courage. My pre-ripped American Eagle baseball cap is off to them. Apparently all the summers called a meeting with the associates under the cover of saying they were unhappy with the way work was going. The summers all had matching "Ice Storm" (or something) t-shirts and iced all the associates. Coming up next: none of these summers get offers.

I know that this is a bit condescending, but as (if) you read this (which you are clearly under no obligation to do, in fact I'm not sure I recommend) please remember that I did not actually do anything, even though I would have liked to. The woman running trivia last night pronounced some things in ways which...were incorrect (read: pissed me off, made me consider correcting her to her face, and certainly prompted me to have small fits of rage in my seat). I'll try to type what she said phonetically. First, in answering a question about houses at Hogwarts, she pronounced two of the houses Sly-therin (as in sly, like a fox), and Gry-findor (again, with the 'y' sound rather than sounding like an 'i'). Come on, Harry Potter references have permeated the culture pretty deeply. I don't think it is unheard of to be able to pronounce those names correctly.
Then she asked the question: "The Cure's first hit song, 'Killing an Arab' is based on what novella by Albert Camus" - pronounced "Cam-Us." Wowza. That's pretty atrocious. And I haven't even read "The Stranger." To reiterate, I understand that it is condescending to want to correct her. But she has to learn some time! Arggggg. So bad. It's not nice of me, I know. But I want to help her learn!
Anyways, none of this is as bad as "subsequently." Or sub-see-quently, depending on who you are talking to.

I spent a good 3 hours today searching for an attorney to ask him a question about whether we were proceeding with a case or not. A question which he asked me to ask him earlier in the day. Then poof, he disappeared for the entire afternoon. Frustration. Or magic attorney, you decide.

School's In

The first day of law school came and went. Which is good, because that's how days are supposed to go. If it went without ever coming then we would have a problem. I'm particularly happy about the day leaving. Because it was not the best day that ever happened. Nothing was specifically wrong with it per se, but I am not exactly having the easiest time settling into school, life in DC, not having all my friends here, etc. But that's alright, hopefully it will get better. If it doesn't then I will have to change this blog's title to Will's drop-out Law Blog, which isn't as catchy.

Law school is an awful lot like high school I can't help but notice. There are a bunch of similarities. One is that we have lockers. Luckily the 2L and 3L's aren't at school yet, so they can't shove me into the lockers until someone hears my cries for help. Another reason that probably won't happen is that the lockers could not possibly fit the volume of my body. I am far too big. I think these lockers could barely house a squirrel. Another reason law school is high school is that we have a zillion (read: 5) classes, sometimes half a zillion (read: 4) a day. Who does that? We also have the same people in every class. And homework for every class every night that you pretty much have to do. I feel like I'm regressing. Particularly because it takes me about an hour to do a 15 page homework assignment. But at least that's because it usually requires briefing cases and complex legal ideas, not because I'm an extraordinarily slow reader.

In true high school fashion, I present a math problem that is totally useless:
Law School = High School - (Jocks + Preps + Other Cliques) + (Vocational Training - Shop Class) + [(Paying attention in class) x (Teachers liking you)] - Gym.

Here's a thing that sucks: the school automatically takes an additional $50 from your tuition as a voluntary library fee and you have to specifically request that they not do it. That's not ok. They are relying on my laziness or lack of reading comprehension to take my $50 away from me. A fool and his money are soon parted. But I'm not a fool, at least not about this. This is a ridiculous policy. It's like if I come to your house and take smuggle out a trophy from your youth, like your security blanket, but I leave an unsigned note on your nightstand telling you I've done so and that I'll be happy to give it back to you pending your arrival at my front door. It's more than a little inconvenient to find out who I'm supposed to talk to, where financial aid is, wait in line, and present the letter showing your attempt to rip me off. The things I do for $50. But you would too...if you noticed they took it.