Okay, so I haven't posted for a while. But folks, you ain't seen nothing yet. I have been traveling nearly all of last week, to GenCon in Indianapolis for a few days and hung out with ABS and his Gay-mer friends, and then to DC for a whirlwind visit with Dickie (long time no see!) and shopped 'til we dropped.
AND, this Wednesday I'm flying to Scandinavia with Boyfriend, for three weeks! We are flying through London, which is a little scary.
Ever since I came back Sunday evening, I have been packing furiously. Today Boyfriend and I went out and got a lot of provisions for our trip, including comfy sneakers, snacks, eyemasks, and little bottles that I can put my lotions and creams and shampoos.
Words on the street is that Scandinavia is pretty modern and there are many wireless hotspots, so perhaps I would be able to post every once in a while, but don't be surprised if you don't see me very often.
Here's my approximate itinerary:
Aug 17-20: Stockholm, Sweden
Aug 20-22: Helsinki, Finnland
Aug 22-26: Copenhagen, Denmark
Aug 26-27: Danish countryside
Aug 27-29: Oslo, Norway
Aug 29-31: Bergen, Norway
Sept 1-2: fjords
Sept 3: Bergen - Oslo
Sept 4: Oslo
Sept 5: departure.
School starts on Sept 5, so I'd have to call the registrar and beg them to let me come in a day late, or change my flight. Here's to crossing my fingers.
:D Europe, I missed you!
:( too much to do before I leave!!
8/14/2006
8/08/2006
In Shock
Ned Lamont defeated Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut democratic primary! I'm not sure what to say, except that I'm kind of shocked.
Ending. Beginning.
My internship officially ended yesterday. Actually it officially ended last Friday, and I kind of sat in mourning of that this weekend, feeling listless and vaguely sad. But I still had a few things to wrap up -- memos that an attorney assigned to me about 5 weeks ago that had not been finished. So I stayed for one more day.
Saying goodbye to everyone was a bit sad. Thankfully, most of the interns who still remained went to NYC to see an attorney from our office argue in front of the Second Circuit, so I was spared the hugs and the pang of sadness that always came when I had to take my leave. What do you say to people that you'd very much like to see again, but may not, ever? When JG, one of the interns, left us on Thursday, we jokingly said: "Have a good life." But it really wasn't that in appropriate, when you think about it. Would any of us ever see JG again? The chances are slim, though of course not impossible. I suppose if we wanted to we could, but then the currents of life sweeps you along, and you lose the desire to seek out old friends (or acquaintances in this case). Or you forget about them.
But of course, there is always the possiiblity of a chance encounter, on the street, or in court. (Heh.) Someone looked vaguely familiar, but you can't place him. You begin hesitatingly, then "Oh my God! It's you!" "How have you been all these years?" "I'm doing very well too!" Perhaps a real surge of warmth. The guy I hung out with for a summer when I was in my mid-twenties! But more likely awkwardness.
So I said goodbyes to a few attorneys when I left the office at 6. They tried to give me advice. "What do you want to do after law school?" "Yes, it really is a great sacrifice to go into a firm." "Make sure you go into it with your eyes open." "Follow your heart." I spoke to KS and EG and TK and JM. Some of the attorneys had already left, so I was spared of having to say goodbye to them.
I really liked them all -- I would like to see them again someday, but I really am just so bad at goodbyes. They grip me with fear. I am so conscious of a stage of my life ending. Of course this means another stage is beginning, but at least before I settle into it, I approach it with apprehension. I'm not sure what the future will bring. Will I like my 2L year? WIll it be disappointing, now that I'm not on Law Review? Will ABS and I remain close? Will I be at a good firm? Will I make new friends and find new passions and still feel good about myself? Will I finally reach clarity on what I want to do with my life, now that I have advanced inexorably another year towards -- well, death really, but let's call it middle age for now...?
So, that was an ending. Not very dramatic. Anti-climactic really. I gave my ID back to EG. I'm sorry to part with it, because using it to open our super-securitized office doors every morning made me feel proud, that I am a member of this organization fighting crime and immorality. I will miss it here. Perhaps I will return one day.
:D Indianapolis for GenCon tomorrow!
:( Feeling reflective.
Saying goodbye to everyone was a bit sad. Thankfully, most of the interns who still remained went to NYC to see an attorney from our office argue in front of the Second Circuit, so I was spared the hugs and the pang of sadness that always came when I had to take my leave. What do you say to people that you'd very much like to see again, but may not, ever? When JG, one of the interns, left us on Thursday, we jokingly said: "Have a good life." But it really wasn't that in appropriate, when you think about it. Would any of us ever see JG again? The chances are slim, though of course not impossible. I suppose if we wanted to we could, but then the currents of life sweeps you along, and you lose the desire to seek out old friends (or acquaintances in this case). Or you forget about them.
But of course, there is always the possiiblity of a chance encounter, on the street, or in court. (Heh.) Someone looked vaguely familiar, but you can't place him. You begin hesitatingly, then "Oh my God! It's you!" "How have you been all these years?" "I'm doing very well too!" Perhaps a real surge of warmth. The guy I hung out with for a summer when I was in my mid-twenties! But more likely awkwardness.
So I said goodbyes to a few attorneys when I left the office at 6. They tried to give me advice. "What do you want to do after law school?" "Yes, it really is a great sacrifice to go into a firm." "Make sure you go into it with your eyes open." "Follow your heart." I spoke to KS and EG and TK and JM. Some of the attorneys had already left, so I was spared of having to say goodbye to them.
I really liked them all -- I would like to see them again someday, but I really am just so bad at goodbyes. They grip me with fear. I am so conscious of a stage of my life ending. Of course this means another stage is beginning, but at least before I settle into it, I approach it with apprehension. I'm not sure what the future will bring. Will I like my 2L year? WIll it be disappointing, now that I'm not on Law Review? Will ABS and I remain close? Will I be at a good firm? Will I make new friends and find new passions and still feel good about myself? Will I finally reach clarity on what I want to do with my life, now that I have advanced inexorably another year towards -- well, death really, but let's call it middle age for now...?
So, that was an ending. Not very dramatic. Anti-climactic really. I gave my ID back to EG. I'm sorry to part with it, because using it to open our super-securitized office doors every morning made me feel proud, that I am a member of this organization fighting crime and immorality. I will miss it here. Perhaps I will return one day.
:D Indianapolis for GenCon tomorrow!
:( Feeling reflective.
8/05/2006
8/02/2006
Scattergories
Co-intern N hosted a party for the other interns at her house tonight. I showed up about 2 hours late, but brought my game Scattergories, so no one was mad at me.
Here are a few memorable plays for the night:
Category: tools. Letter: G
"Guns"
Category: bad habits. Letter: A
"Abstinence"
(Co-intern JB had some interesting explanation for why he came up with that one, which I shall not repeat here. :) )
Category: bad personality traits. Letter: A.
"Aggressive, passive-"
Category: terms of endearment. Letter: J.
"Jew"
(This last one was dreamt up by N, who is Jewish herself. Otherwise it would have been mildly offensive.)
Category: terms of endearment. Letter: J.
"Ju-ju bean"
There were more than a few iffy ones in there, so just imagine how chaotic it was, with 6 would-be and very much drunk lawyers arguing over whether a word should or should not count in that category. It was a ton of fun.
:D Party, and dropping another pound
:( There are actually two things today:
1). 99 degrees today, with 60% humidity. Holy crap...
2). hung jury in TK's trial! Very surprising.
Here are a few memorable plays for the night:
Category: tools. Letter: G
"Guns"
Category: bad habits. Letter: A
"Abstinence"
(Co-intern JB had some interesting explanation for why he came up with that one, which I shall not repeat here. :) )
Category: bad personality traits. Letter: A.
"Aggressive, passive-"
Category: terms of endearment. Letter: J.
"Jew"
(This last one was dreamt up by N, who is Jewish herself. Otherwise it would have been mildly offensive.)
Category: terms of endearment. Letter: J.
"Ju-ju bean"
There were more than a few iffy ones in there, so just imagine how chaotic it was, with 6 would-be and very much drunk lawyers arguing over whether a word should or should not count in that category. It was a ton of fun.
:D Party, and dropping another pound
:( There are actually two things today:
1). 99 degrees today, with 60% humidity. Holy crap...
2). hung jury in TK's trial! Very surprising.
8/01/2006
Last Week at Work
This week is my last week at the internship. I feel a little sad because I will have to say goodbye to all the nice attorneys and co-interns who I have come to be very fond of. Today was actually the first time I've been in office because yesterday all the interns drove to the State Capital for TK's trial. This is the first time TK is first-chairing a criminal trial, I think, and he did a really good job. Looking at him, I could hardly believe that this was the same boy who was my freshman counselor.
Today I rode in CC's truck to the State Capital again, to hear TK's closing arguments. TK was phenomenal, and afterwards all the interns agreed that the jury would definitely find the defendant guilty. On the way there and back, CC and I had really nice conversations. We found out that we had a lot in common. CC continues to be my favorite person at work (though JS comes in a close second, and MM close behind - oh me and my obsession with ranking things). I really hope I keep in touch with him after the internship (and with the others as well, of course).
After work the interns went to a little Mexican place, and I had a little margarita. The rest of the day I ate only fruits. The weather was brutal today -- 96 degrees. I nearly died when I ran the mile around the W-Square this morning. Near the evening there was a violent thunderstorm, and it cooled down, but only a bit. Nearly died again when I ran my mile in the evening, but very proud of myself. :)
I thought I would feel sadder about my last week at work, but I think I'm still adjusting to the idea - and tired. I'll sort everything out when I have my energy. For now, it'll be an early night in for me.
Also, booked my flight to Indianapolis for GenCon this weekend. I'll be hanging out with ABS and his "gaymers" for 4 days! Then flying over to DC to visit Dickie. Yay.
:D laughing and talking with CC
:( Nothing, really, just tired.
Today I rode in CC's truck to the State Capital again, to hear TK's closing arguments. TK was phenomenal, and afterwards all the interns agreed that the jury would definitely find the defendant guilty. On the way there and back, CC and I had really nice conversations. We found out that we had a lot in common. CC continues to be my favorite person at work (though JS comes in a close second, and MM close behind - oh me and my obsession with ranking things). I really hope I keep in touch with him after the internship (and with the others as well, of course).
After work the interns went to a little Mexican place, and I had a little margarita. The rest of the day I ate only fruits. The weather was brutal today -- 96 degrees. I nearly died when I ran the mile around the W-Square this morning. Near the evening there was a violent thunderstorm, and it cooled down, but only a bit. Nearly died again when I ran my mile in the evening, but very proud of myself. :)
I thought I would feel sadder about my last week at work, but I think I'm still adjusting to the idea - and tired. I'll sort everything out when I have my energy. For now, it'll be an early night in for me.
Also, booked my flight to Indianapolis for GenCon this weekend. I'll be hanging out with ABS and his "gaymers" for 4 days! Then flying over to DC to visit Dickie. Yay.
:D laughing and talking with CC
:( Nothing, really, just tired.
7/31/2006
Fall Courses
Almost forgot to post my fall semester courses, courtesy of the (semi-incompetent) registrar:
- Con Law (5 credits)
- Citizenship: Seminar (2 credits)
- Comparative Con Law (3 credits)
- Globalization (4 credits - maybe)
- Another Seminar or Independent Writing (1 or 2 credits - maybe).
So I got my top three choices, though thinking of dropping globalization, even though it's taught by a super-famous and genius prof, and instead take a few seminars or independent writing course.
My spring semester courses are still a bit up in the air, other than a few "multi-section" courses like corps and admin law. Still not sure whether I really want to take corps.
:D TK's trial today, including his cross-examination of the defendant.
:( still working to take off those 4 lbs.
- Con Law (5 credits)
- Citizenship: Seminar (2 credits)
- Comparative Con Law (3 credits)
- Globalization (4 credits - maybe)
- Another Seminar or Independent Writing (1 or 2 credits - maybe).
So I got my top three choices, though thinking of dropping globalization, even though it's taught by a super-famous and genius prof, and instead take a few seminars or independent writing course.
My spring semester courses are still a bit up in the air, other than a few "multi-section" courses like corps and admin law. Still not sure whether I really want to take corps.
:D TK's trial today, including his cross-examination of the defendant.
:( still working to take off those 4 lbs.
7/30/2006
Weekend with Parents
My parents came to visit me and Boyfriend this weekend. On Friday and Satureday, Boyfriend spent a long time cleaning up the unit next to our apartment, and I spent the evening shopping for groceries, marinating shredded porks, and making a big pot of soup in the small pot. I also tried to make meringue, which turned into the World's Worst Dessert, but we won't go into that. :)
On Satureday, parents arrived around 1 in the afternoon, after a big traffic jam. I had already worked all morning and whipped up 8 dishes on the table, and we proceeded to have a very big and yummy meal. Afterwards, Boyfriend, who wasn't feeling too well, went upstairs to take a nap while I directed my parents to a premium outlet mall in the area, and shopped to our heart's content. I bought a pair of sunglasses; my mom got some shirts, and my dad bought some shoes. All was happy.
We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and brought fresh salad ingredients. I then made a big salad for the four of us, and we had wine with dinner. Parents and I then talked about law school plans sans law review, what I want to do with my life after law school, what firms I want to interview at, etc You know, the perrenial topics. Around 11:00 we called grandma in China and spoke to her briefly.
Boyfriend is really so sweet. Parents and I sometimes speak in Chinese, just because it is the easiest for us. And he just listens patiently, even though he doesn't understand, and sometimes even guesses what we are talking about and chimes in. I found that very amusing. I'm so glad that he gets along with my parents.
Today my parents left around early afternoon, after a lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant and driving around for a bit at the beach. Boyfriend and I drove to a nearby mall and bought a bunch of beach novels, then came back and relaxed.
Some thoughts on reading: I haven't read any fiction for quite some time. Last time I really read was on the vacation to Vermont, when I devoured three books by David Sedaris, which, while funny, were not exactly serious literature. I used to like reading fiction so much, but nowadays I find it hard to really immerse myself in the worlds. If it came too close to my life, it gives me anxiety; if it's too far apart, then it's hard for me to really follow the narrative and to enjoy the plot.
The last "serious" fiction I enjoyed reading was Ishugoro's "Never Let Me Go", and that was a loooong time ago. I liked Jonathan Franzen too, because his books are well-written and easy to read, but he hasn't done anything in recent years. The books I bought today were mostly trashy easy readings, but I included a few serious ones in there too.
I think my inability to enjoy fiction is a sign of my ADD and the fact that I lack much of an "inner life" these days other than thinking about law and my career. This is not good, and I want to change that. By starting to read serious fiction. As soon as I'm done with the trashy novel that I'm reading right now. :)
:D quality time with parents!
:( gained 4 lbs over the weekend. Is this possible?!??!
On Satureday, parents arrived around 1 in the afternoon, after a big traffic jam. I had already worked all morning and whipped up 8 dishes on the table, and we proceeded to have a very big and yummy meal. Afterwards, Boyfriend, who wasn't feeling too well, went upstairs to take a nap while I directed my parents to a premium outlet mall in the area, and shopped to our heart's content. I bought a pair of sunglasses; my mom got some shirts, and my dad bought some shoes. All was happy.
We stopped at the grocery store on the way home and brought fresh salad ingredients. I then made a big salad for the four of us, and we had wine with dinner. Parents and I then talked about law school plans sans law review, what I want to do with my life after law school, what firms I want to interview at, etc You know, the perrenial topics. Around 11:00 we called grandma in China and spoke to her briefly.
Boyfriend is really so sweet. Parents and I sometimes speak in Chinese, just because it is the easiest for us. And he just listens patiently, even though he doesn't understand, and sometimes even guesses what we are talking about and chimes in. I found that very amusing. I'm so glad that he gets along with my parents.
Today my parents left around early afternoon, after a lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant and driving around for a bit at the beach. Boyfriend and I drove to a nearby mall and bought a bunch of beach novels, then came back and relaxed.
Some thoughts on reading: I haven't read any fiction for quite some time. Last time I really read was on the vacation to Vermont, when I devoured three books by David Sedaris, which, while funny, were not exactly serious literature. I used to like reading fiction so much, but nowadays I find it hard to really immerse myself in the worlds. If it came too close to my life, it gives me anxiety; if it's too far apart, then it's hard for me to really follow the narrative and to enjoy the plot.
The last "serious" fiction I enjoyed reading was Ishugoro's "Never Let Me Go", and that was a loooong time ago. I liked Jonathan Franzen too, because his books are well-written and easy to read, but he hasn't done anything in recent years. The books I bought today were mostly trashy easy readings, but I included a few serious ones in there too.
I think my inability to enjoy fiction is a sign of my ADD and the fact that I lack much of an "inner life" these days other than thinking about law and my career. This is not good, and I want to change that. By starting to read serious fiction. As soon as I'm done with the trashy novel that I'm reading right now. :)
:D quality time with parents!
:( gained 4 lbs over the weekend. Is this possible?!??!
7/27/2006
The Defeat of Article III People
Today was the first of three softball games between my office and the office of the court clerks, or whom I affectionately call the Article III people, as opposed to the Article II people, which is us.
About 8-9 attorneys showed up from our office, with their wives and kids. All of the interns from our office except for one showed up. The attendance from the Article III people were much more spotty.
Even though I wasn't going to play, I ended up being the catcher, and swung the bat a few times. Despite not having played softball since Eighth Grade, I managed not to embarass myself terribly and actually hit a few balls. The rest of the time I clumsily caught the balls clumsily to me by the pitcher, and cheered for my teammates.
Some of the attorneys from my office were very athletic and quite impressive. In the end, we defeated the Article III people 21:13. Yes, Article II clearly rocks more than Article III.
The weather was super-humid today. But everyone seemed to have a great time.
:D winning, of course!
:( treked dirt all over the livingroom floor and earning the wrath of Boyfriend.
About 8-9 attorneys showed up from our office, with their wives and kids. All of the interns from our office except for one showed up. The attendance from the Article III people were much more spotty.
Even though I wasn't going to play, I ended up being the catcher, and swung the bat a few times. Despite not having played softball since Eighth Grade, I managed not to embarass myself terribly and actually hit a few balls. The rest of the time I clumsily caught the balls clumsily to me by the pitcher, and cheered for my teammates.
Some of the attorneys from my office were very athletic and quite impressive. In the end, we defeated the Article III people 21:13. Yes, Article II clearly rocks more than Article III.
The weather was super-humid today. But everyone seemed to have a great time.
:D winning, of course!
:( treked dirt all over the livingroom floor and earning the wrath of Boyfriend.
7/25/2006
News
Well, I didn't make law review. I'm disappointed, but have already begun to plan what I'm going to do with my free time for the rest of this summer and next year.
Went on a fieldtrip to a medium-security Federal Correctional Institution today. It was a women's facility, and the inmates actually seemed quite content inside.
:D sashimi
:( Law Review
Went on a fieldtrip to a medium-security Federal Correctional Institution today. It was a women's facility, and the inmates actually seemed quite content inside.
:D sashimi
:( Law Review
7/23/2006
Excellent Weekend
Boyfriend and I had a lot of good food. We ate at an excellent Indian restaurant on Friday evening, and we also cooked a lot on Saturday and Sunday I approximated some Thai recipes (with low-carb twists of my own, of course) and we both had very good food for both of the days. Perhaps in the next few days, when I have time, I'll post some of them here.
We also went shopping both yesterday and today, and I got a very cute Ralph Lauren Polo bikini that was on unbelievable sale, and a pair of gold hoops that was also on sale. Yoohoo for shopohaliism!
Today, there was rain forecasted, but we went to the beach anyway, and the weather actually stayed excellent right until the end. Perhaps because of the fear for rain, the beach was quite empty, and we walked along the sand for a long time, then read my stash of New Yorkers that we haven't had a chance to read. Afterwards, we went to a nearby Starbucks where we read some more, and I sipped a Earl Grey tea.
Felt very at peace with myself today. Hopefully this feeling will stay in the next few days...
:D running to "Survivor" by Destiny's Child.
:( work tomorrow (and I actually do have a lot of work! Yikes.)
We also went shopping both yesterday and today, and I got a very cute Ralph Lauren Polo bikini that was on unbelievable sale, and a pair of gold hoops that was also on sale. Yoohoo for shopohaliism!
Today, there was rain forecasted, but we went to the beach anyway, and the weather actually stayed excellent right until the end. Perhaps because of the fear for rain, the beach was quite empty, and we walked along the sand for a long time, then read my stash of New Yorkers that we haven't had a chance to read. Afterwards, we went to a nearby Starbucks where we read some more, and I sipped a Earl Grey tea.
Felt very at peace with myself today. Hopefully this feeling will stay in the next few days...
:D running to "Survivor" by Destiny's Child.
:( work tomorrow (and I actually do have a lot of work! Yikes.)
7/22/2006
Cure for Insomnia?
Those of you who have read Petite Bourgeoisie long enough know that I am an insomniac. But lately, I have begun running every day for about a mile, and my sleep problem has pretty much gone away on its own. I now feel really tired around 10:00 at night, and go to sleep by about 10:15, and wake up 9 or even 10 hours later. Could it be that exercising has cured my insomnia? Who knows? But it's lovely not waking up feeling tired.
7/20/2006
Deja vu
So, voir dire was really interesting, though it did little to make me more confident in our jury system.
I woke up bright and early yesterday morning (6:30!) to get to the office by 7:30 so TK could give me a ride to the state capitol. He showed up in a sweet little Mercedes two-seater, "spoils from his law firm days," he called it. Ride both there and back was very pleasant, and we talked about alma maters (he went to the same undergrad and law school as me), gossiped about professors, talked about law firms and firm life, and practicing law for the government.
Back to voir dire, apparently, each judge does his jury selection differently, and our particular judge summoned a bunch of jurors (we had 45) to the courtroom, asked them to talk about themselves for 45 seconds, and then the prosecutions and the defense must make their decision about whom to strike and whom to keep based on the little information that they received.
Apparently, this judge is known to be quick among the bar in this state, to the detriment of the selection process, I thought. Other federal judges take more time to ask jurors relevant questions and to feel them out a bit more. In fact, both the prosecution and the defense submitted questions they requested the judge to aks the prospective jurors before voir dire began. But apparently, in this judge's hurry, only one of these questions was asked.
So no one was happy. Both the defense and the prosecution complained privately about the judge afterwards. They thought that his questions were irrelevant and did not at all give them a good idea about the jurors. "Who cares about their personal interests?" TK said to me afterwards. "What we need to know is their attitude towards crime, whether they or anyone they know have ever been a crime victim, whether their friends or close relatives are law enforcement officers or victims."
But, the whole thing was done in about 2.5 hours, much faster than I thought. I was back in N-Town by the middle of the afternoon.
The best part of the day was talking to TK about his former life as a private attorney in a famous New York firm C, S, & M, and his reflections on practicing law as an associate in a big law firm versus being a prosecutor for the government. Both lives have their advantages and disadvantages, although he is definitely enjoying his life and freedom now. We talked on the way there, during lunch, and on the way back. I had a lot of chance to ask my burning questions about a life in law, and I definitely have a better idea about what to expect, and what I want for myself as a lawyer.
I was of course the envy of the interns when I got back -- how lucky was I to see something so cool!
Today, we had a brownbag lunch with a really, really funny FBI agent talk about biochemical weapons (the talk was enough to make me queasy about eating any kind of processed food for a while). He was full of interesting anecdotes and stories, unfortunately not all pleasant.
This affternoon, one of the trials that two of the attorneys from our office worked on had the closing arguments, and I heard one of the best orators I have perhaps heard in my life - attorney DR from our office was just spellbinding. He is normally such a quiet and unassumign man, a bit aloof, that I had never thought he could be such an eloquent speaker. But he was. For 45 minutes, he kept me, the jury, the judge, and everyone else in the court -- even the defendant -- breathless and spellbound. And at the end of the impassioned speech, I was ready to vote whatever way he wanted me to vote. Heck, I was a little in love with the man. Wow, did I ever want to be a litigator like him.
So - perhaps this summer was useful for this. I want to be a litigator -- a trial attorney.
After work today, at my suggestion, 6 of the interns, and one of the other attorney who was working on the same case with the orator DR, came to this neat little bar near my alma mater, and we drank to our internship, the cool weather, the end of the trial, and anything else we could think of. I walked home with MR, a new intern who just joined our office this week and who lives quite close to my house. She split her summer and worked first for a firm in N-Town for 7 weeks, and will now work in my office for another 7 weeks. So she'll be working long after the rest of us are gone.
Lucky her. :)
:D Two glasses of pinot grigio after work. First time I've drunk wine in a week!
:( not much work done today, since I was trial-spectating.
I woke up bright and early yesterday morning (6:30!) to get to the office by 7:30 so TK could give me a ride to the state capitol. He showed up in a sweet little Mercedes two-seater, "spoils from his law firm days," he called it. Ride both there and back was very pleasant, and we talked about alma maters (he went to the same undergrad and law school as me), gossiped about professors, talked about law firms and firm life, and practicing law for the government.
Back to voir dire, apparently, each judge does his jury selection differently, and our particular judge summoned a bunch of jurors (we had 45) to the courtroom, asked them to talk about themselves for 45 seconds, and then the prosecutions and the defense must make their decision about whom to strike and whom to keep based on the little information that they received.
Apparently, this judge is known to be quick among the bar in this state, to the detriment of the selection process, I thought. Other federal judges take more time to ask jurors relevant questions and to feel them out a bit more. In fact, both the prosecution and the defense submitted questions they requested the judge to aks the prospective jurors before voir dire began. But apparently, in this judge's hurry, only one of these questions was asked.
So no one was happy. Both the defense and the prosecution complained privately about the judge afterwards. They thought that his questions were irrelevant and did not at all give them a good idea about the jurors. "Who cares about their personal interests?" TK said to me afterwards. "What we need to know is their attitude towards crime, whether they or anyone they know have ever been a crime victim, whether their friends or close relatives are law enforcement officers or victims."
But, the whole thing was done in about 2.5 hours, much faster than I thought. I was back in N-Town by the middle of the afternoon.
The best part of the day was talking to TK about his former life as a private attorney in a famous New York firm C, S, & M, and his reflections on practicing law as an associate in a big law firm versus being a prosecutor for the government. Both lives have their advantages and disadvantages, although he is definitely enjoying his life and freedom now. We talked on the way there, during lunch, and on the way back. I had a lot of chance to ask my burning questions about a life in law, and I definitely have a better idea about what to expect, and what I want for myself as a lawyer.
I was of course the envy of the interns when I got back -- how lucky was I to see something so cool!
Today, we had a brownbag lunch with a really, really funny FBI agent talk about biochemical weapons (the talk was enough to make me queasy about eating any kind of processed food for a while). He was full of interesting anecdotes and stories, unfortunately not all pleasant.
This affternoon, one of the trials that two of the attorneys from our office worked on had the closing arguments, and I heard one of the best orators I have perhaps heard in my life - attorney DR from our office was just spellbinding. He is normally such a quiet and unassumign man, a bit aloof, that I had never thought he could be such an eloquent speaker. But he was. For 45 minutes, he kept me, the jury, the judge, and everyone else in the court -- even the defendant -- breathless and spellbound. And at the end of the impassioned speech, I was ready to vote whatever way he wanted me to vote. Heck, I was a little in love with the man. Wow, did I ever want to be a litigator like him.
So - perhaps this summer was useful for this. I want to be a litigator -- a trial attorney.
After work today, at my suggestion, 6 of the interns, and one of the other attorney who was working on the same case with the orator DR, came to this neat little bar near my alma mater, and we drank to our internship, the cool weather, the end of the trial, and anything else we could think of. I walked home with MR, a new intern who just joined our office this week and who lives quite close to my house. She split her summer and worked first for a firm in N-Town for 7 weeks, and will now work in my office for another 7 weeks. So she'll be working long after the rest of us are gone.
Lucky her. :)
:D Two glasses of pinot grigio after work. First time I've drunk wine in a week!
:( not much work done today, since I was trial-spectating.
7/18/2006
Voir Dire
Voir Dire is a legal term that basically means "selection of jury". A case for which I have done a few research projects is going to trial, and tomorrow we are selecting the jury in the state capitol. And the attorneys who are prosecuting the case asked me to accompany them!
So, I have to get up at 6:30, and ride with TK, my former freshman counselor who also happens to be the attorney who is doing the case. I have never seen a voir dire before and can barely contain my excitement.
Otherwise my day was filled with work. I was working really hard on my research assignments and got quite a lot done, and had really good conversations with two of the attorneys about my legal research. I am still amazed that the "adults" here in the office still take us interns' opinions seriously, but they really do listen and engage with us. It's a great work environment.
In other news, apparently, our little flyer action yesterday in W-Square has triggered a bit of neighborly reaction. Boyfriend had a long conversation today with a neighbor about the assault. Apparently, the teenagers attacked not only him but also another old lady. There have also been other random acts of vandalism and theft on the rise in the square, and many are concerned and angry.
Anger is good! Anger is a great motivator and gets things done. Tonight, for example, there is a town hall meeting about exactly the problem of crime in our neighborhood. If Boyfriend and I had known about it in time, we would totally have gone too.
Yay for citizen action!
:D Knocked out two projects!
:( Lebanonese civilian casualties.
So, I have to get up at 6:30, and ride with TK, my former freshman counselor who also happens to be the attorney who is doing the case. I have never seen a voir dire before and can barely contain my excitement.
Otherwise my day was filled with work. I was working really hard on my research assignments and got quite a lot done, and had really good conversations with two of the attorneys about my legal research. I am still amazed that the "adults" here in the office still take us interns' opinions seriously, but they really do listen and engage with us. It's a great work environment.
In other news, apparently, our little flyer action yesterday in W-Square has triggered a bit of neighborly reaction. Boyfriend had a long conversation today with a neighbor about the assault. Apparently, the teenagers attacked not only him but also another old lady. There have also been other random acts of vandalism and theft on the rise in the square, and many are concerned and angry.
Anger is good! Anger is a great motivator and gets things done. Tonight, for example, there is a town hall meeting about exactly the problem of crime in our neighborhood. If Boyfriend and I had known about it in time, we would totally have gone too.
Yay for citizen action!
:D Knocked out two projects!
:( Lebanonese civilian casualties.
7/17/2006
Updates
Thanks to all of you who emailed me out of concerns about Boyfriend! He is fine, and my heart is also tres warmed.
I had the idea this morning that Boyfriend and I should post flyers around the square where he was assaulted, describing the incident and asking any witnesses to the event or anyone who can identify his attackers to step forward and contact the police. Of course the chances of anyone coming forward is remote, but there are a few reasons why I thought it's good to post the flyers.
1. The teenagers who attacked Boyfriend seem to hang out at the square after dark. This flyer would serve to let them know that their would-be victims would not be victimized lying down.
2. It would warn others who are in the square after dark to be careful.
3. It might rally the neighborhood and remind the other neighbors that we are a community and that it is up to all of us to try and make the neighborhood safe. So that next time someone is attacked or a crime is committed, perhaps the bystanders will step forward and help.
So, here is the final text of the flyer that Boyfriend and I ended up using. This evening (before dark of course), while I jogged in the 90 degree weather, Boyfriend went around the square and put them up with tacks.
"ATTACK IN W-SQUARE
On Sunday at 9:30 pm, one of our neighbors was assaulted without provocation by three or four male, African American teens. The attack occurred at the corner of A-Street and CH-Street, after which the youths were seen running up C- Street, turning right onto O- and into the entrance of the XXX Apartments. This crime has been reported to the police, who is taking the matter seriously and has opened an investigation.
If you can identify the individuals who committed the assault, or can provide any information relating to this assault or these individuals, please contact N-Town City Police Officer P--- K---, at (###) ###-####.
Those who commit crimes of violence use our fear and apathy against us. It is up to us to make our neighborhood safe and free of violence. If you are walking in W- Square after dark, please use your vigilance. If you see a crime being committed against one of our neighbors, please help!"
Consider that my little civic moment of the day.
:D Affable senior judge from the Circuit Court joined the interns for a very entertaining lunch!
:( 100 degree weather!
I had the idea this morning that Boyfriend and I should post flyers around the square where he was assaulted, describing the incident and asking any witnesses to the event or anyone who can identify his attackers to step forward and contact the police. Of course the chances of anyone coming forward is remote, but there are a few reasons why I thought it's good to post the flyers.
1. The teenagers who attacked Boyfriend seem to hang out at the square after dark. This flyer would serve to let them know that their would-be victims would not be victimized lying down.
2. It would warn others who are in the square after dark to be careful.
3. It might rally the neighborhood and remind the other neighbors that we are a community and that it is up to all of us to try and make the neighborhood safe. So that next time someone is attacked or a crime is committed, perhaps the bystanders will step forward and help.
So, here is the final text of the flyer that Boyfriend and I ended up using. This evening (before dark of course), while I jogged in the 90 degree weather, Boyfriend went around the square and put them up with tacks.
"ATTACK IN W-SQUARE
On Sunday at 9:30 pm, one of our neighbors was assaulted without provocation by three or four male, African American teens. The attack occurred at the corner of A-Street and CH-Street, after which the youths were seen running up C- Street, turning right onto O- and into the entrance of the XXX Apartments. This crime has been reported to the police, who is taking the matter seriously and has opened an investigation.
If you can identify the individuals who committed the assault, or can provide any information relating to this assault or these individuals, please contact N-Town City Police Officer P--- K---, at (###) ###-####.
Those who commit crimes of violence use our fear and apathy against us. It is up to us to make our neighborhood safe and free of violence. If you are walking in W- Square after dark, please use your vigilance. If you see a crime being committed against one of our neighbors, please help!"
Consider that my little civic moment of the day.
:D Affable senior judge from the Circuit Court joined the interns for a very entertaining lunch!
:( 100 degree weather!
7/16/2006
Crime Blotter
Boyfriend was assaulted this evening around 10:00 pm by a group of black teenagers while walking in the square next to our house and talking to his nephew on the phone. He is okay, though a bit shaken up. The police was called, but did not catch the teenagers, who were apparently just doing this for sport (they didn't attempt to mug him or anything. Apparently the assault was just for sport.)
This is quite an upsetting ending to what is otherwise a very nice weekend. Perhaps a sign that crime in N-Town is on the rise again and safety down?
:D lots of cooking and eating today.
:( If you have read my post, you can guess.
This is quite an upsetting ending to what is otherwise a very nice weekend. Perhaps a sign that crime in N-Town is on the rise again and safety down?
:D lots of cooking and eating today.
:( If you have read my post, you can guess.
Lost in "Lost"
My primary activity today, other than dealing with my angst, was watching 4 episodes of Lost with Boyfriend. We just finished watching the First Season. Wow. What a great show. Can't wait to download the Second Season from iTunes and discuss with ABS!
7/15/2006
My Little Mid-Life Crisis
I've been buying a lot of clothes lately, which is usually a sign that I'm anxious about something, although I try to tell myself that it's because of "work" and "summer" (most of my clothes are in C-Town and although Boyfriend and I meant to, we haven't been back once this summer to retrieve the things that I thought I would retrive once summer began.)
The past few days I didn't sleep very well, although I felt fine at work.
I feel restless and anxious, like I have some urgent things on my mind, though I can't figure out what they are. I think it was the conversation with KS on Tuesday that affected me. KS went to exactly the same undergraduate and law school as I had, so I felt a bit of alumni kinship with him. (He also went to the same ritzy private school in DC that Dickie went to). On the way back from the polygraph test, I asked him how long it had been since he had worked in my office. He said since 1998. He started out his career working for a prominent DC firm that does primarily litigation, then decided to move with his wife to this area because they wanted to start a family. He first worked in a small practice that he started with some other folks. (This part I didn't really quite follow, but I didn't' want to interrupt his flow). I think it was his wife who first got a job in my office. He worked then for a small firm right in the city, then went over to this office too. I think his wife is no long working in the office, though once again I'm not sure.
It's how he describes his current life that struck me. He described working for the DC firm as "very lucrative, but some of the work you do is not necessarily pleasant." I had heard this before, of course. But then, he said: "and now, the money is not too bad. I can support a nice home close to the water."
(I of course immediately went and looked up his address and google-earthed it to see how close to the water it really was. And it WAS close to the water -- it was the second house down from a large public beach near N-Town.)
Then, just as we walked into our office building, he said: "Of course, now I have to decide if I want to send my kids to private school. If so, then I have to figure something out."
Perhaps it's because I feel a bit of kinship with this person that I was so struck by his concerns. I guess in a flash I looked at the stuff that I'm likely to be thinking 15, 20 years down the road, and I suddenly felt suffocated. It's like looking at a life and thinking: do I want this? What do I want? A nice house by the beach in the suburbs; 2 kids that I can send to private school; working in a small colleagial office, doing financial ligitation and winning a few cases. Isn't that a good life? A life that most people would die to have?
But why do I feel so soffocated thinking about it? Thinking: That's IT? That's what my life is going to be like? It's a view down a predictable, safe path, one that I know will make me reasonably happy, probably, but one that also terrifies me. Will I get bored? Will I be disappointed? Will I feel trapped? Will I envy those with more money or success than me? But even if I had chosen THEIR life, would I then regret not spending more time with my family, my children. Do I even want children? Would I want to be tied down like that and take over the terrifying responsibility? Would I be happy with ANY kind of life? But what kind of life do I really want? And would it be too late to change if I realized that I was wrong?
:D large dungeness crabs with vinegar, ginger, and garlic sauce
:( angst.
The past few days I didn't sleep very well, although I felt fine at work.
I feel restless and anxious, like I have some urgent things on my mind, though I can't figure out what they are. I think it was the conversation with KS on Tuesday that affected me. KS went to exactly the same undergraduate and law school as I had, so I felt a bit of alumni kinship with him. (He also went to the same ritzy private school in DC that Dickie went to). On the way back from the polygraph test, I asked him how long it had been since he had worked in my office. He said since 1998. He started out his career working for a prominent DC firm that does primarily litigation, then decided to move with his wife to this area because they wanted to start a family. He first worked in a small practice that he started with some other folks. (This part I didn't really quite follow, but I didn't' want to interrupt his flow). I think it was his wife who first got a job in my office. He worked then for a small firm right in the city, then went over to this office too. I think his wife is no long working in the office, though once again I'm not sure.
It's how he describes his current life that struck me. He described working for the DC firm as "very lucrative, but some of the work you do is not necessarily pleasant." I had heard this before, of course. But then, he said: "and now, the money is not too bad. I can support a nice home close to the water."
(I of course immediately went and looked up his address and google-earthed it to see how close to the water it really was. And it WAS close to the water -- it was the second house down from a large public beach near N-Town.)
Then, just as we walked into our office building, he said: "Of course, now I have to decide if I want to send my kids to private school. If so, then I have to figure something out."
Perhaps it's because I feel a bit of kinship with this person that I was so struck by his concerns. I guess in a flash I looked at the stuff that I'm likely to be thinking 15, 20 years down the road, and I suddenly felt suffocated. It's like looking at a life and thinking: do I want this? What do I want? A nice house by the beach in the suburbs; 2 kids that I can send to private school; working in a small colleagial office, doing financial ligitation and winning a few cases. Isn't that a good life? A life that most people would die to have?
But why do I feel so soffocated thinking about it? Thinking: That's IT? That's what my life is going to be like? It's a view down a predictable, safe path, one that I know will make me reasonably happy, probably, but one that also terrifies me. Will I get bored? Will I be disappointed? Will I feel trapped? Will I envy those with more money or success than me? But even if I had chosen THEIR life, would I then regret not spending more time with my family, my children. Do I even want children? Would I want to be tied down like that and take over the terrifying responsibility? Would I be happy with ANY kind of life? But what kind of life do I really want? And would it be too late to change if I realized that I was wrong?
:D large dungeness crabs with vinegar, ginger, and garlic sauce
:( angst.
7/14/2006
Madness
Oy... What is going on at the Israel-Lebanon border? I hope this doesn't turn into a full-fledged war.
7/11/2006
Today
Today a man accused of child molestation was found guilty by 12 jurors on all counts. He is going to go away for a long, long time.
Today one of the attorneys from my office, KS, took me to the FBI building, where I saw for the first time an FBI agent performing a lie detector test. It was a very interesting experience. The agent was very charming, very authoritative, and I seriously felt that if it was me in the room, I would have told the truth immediately.
Today I submitted my course selection once again, before this Friday when the bids are all due. I won't bore you with the details once again. My top three choices are: citizenship seminar, comparative con law, and globalization of law in historical perspective. ABS commented that my course selection looks very international law and comparative law heavy.
Today I did nearly no work, once again. Between the polygraph test (4 hours) and the verdict (1 hour) I was only able to squeeze in a little bit of research and some scanning.
Today I feel slightly depressed. Perhaps it's realizing that my summer internship has only 3.5 weeks left, and that I will miss here a lot. Perhaps it's seeing so many life-changing decisions being made every day where you really get a sense of how quickly someone's life can go down the drains. Perhaps it's feeling the gravity of the decisions I'll have to make in the months ahead. What firm do I want to interview with? What kind of job do I want? This summer, after all, is just a stopping place. I thought I was sick of N-Town when I left. I never thought that I would become so fond of it again, and so filled with regret that I will leave soon.
Perhaps it's a bit early for retrospectives, but this summer I got a lot more excited about practicing law, and about associating with other lawyers. I feel pretty good that our judicial system is being run by this group of dedicated, good-hearted, (perhaps a little too morally extremely but really doing their best) and multi-talented practitioners.
:D KS
:( Feeling suddenly as if the summer is about to end.
Today one of the attorneys from my office, KS, took me to the FBI building, where I saw for the first time an FBI agent performing a lie detector test. It was a very interesting experience. The agent was very charming, very authoritative, and I seriously felt that if it was me in the room, I would have told the truth immediately.
Today I submitted my course selection once again, before this Friday when the bids are all due. I won't bore you with the details once again. My top three choices are: citizenship seminar, comparative con law, and globalization of law in historical perspective. ABS commented that my course selection looks very international law and comparative law heavy.
Today I did nearly no work, once again. Between the polygraph test (4 hours) and the verdict (1 hour) I was only able to squeeze in a little bit of research and some scanning.
Today I feel slightly depressed. Perhaps it's realizing that my summer internship has only 3.5 weeks left, and that I will miss here a lot. Perhaps it's seeing so many life-changing decisions being made every day where you really get a sense of how quickly someone's life can go down the drains. Perhaps it's feeling the gravity of the decisions I'll have to make in the months ahead. What firm do I want to interview with? What kind of job do I want? This summer, after all, is just a stopping place. I thought I was sick of N-Town when I left. I never thought that I would become so fond of it again, and so filled with regret that I will leave soon.
Perhaps it's a bit early for retrospectives, but this summer I got a lot more excited about practicing law, and about associating with other lawyers. I feel pretty good that our judicial system is being run by this group of dedicated, good-hearted, (perhaps a little too morally extremely but really doing their best) and multi-talented practitioners.
:D KS
:( Feeling suddenly as if the summer is about to end.
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