| Tomorrow- The Illinois BAR EXAM |
[Jul. 27th, 2009|12:34 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  anxious | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Europe- The Final Countdown | ] |
Tomorrow I take day one of the Illinois Bar exam. A morning of Illinois essays, then a multistate performance test (practical lawyering stuff), and an afternoon of multistate essays. This stuff is going to be hard, very hard. The next day, MBE, Multistate multiple-choice portion, I'm not so worried about.
Today, I am doing nothing. No point studying, I'm burned out, nothing more will stick, I know it, or I don't.
2 days of hell. I can't even believe I'm at this point. I can barely believe I graduated University, nevermind having gone through Lawschool, gotten a J.D., and now have myself poised to take the ILLINOIS BAR EXAMINATION, which, if I pass, ensures a PROFESSIONAL LICENSE to practice LAW in the state of Illinois (and then by fee, Federal Court when I need to).
I already took and passed the MPRE ethics exam, I seem to have passed the CHARACTER AND FITNESS background check, it's just this test, this one HUGE, MONSTER, EVIL test.
I can't wait for it to be over, the mental stress, as well as the physical (really let myself go recently) is a lot, I can't wait to think like a normal person again, go to the gym, salvage myself.
It's just hard to believe not only that I'm at this point where I can take this exam, It's hard to believe what this exam means. It means:
1) I'm an adult, at least in the eyes of the world. I feel like a kid still. Can you believe, someone who feels like a kid is about to take a test in order to be conferred a professional license?
2) It's Law, it means a lot of responsibility. This is the kind of license that means I can open special bank accounts for clients, am held to a higher standard of care in just about anything with any legal significance whatsoever. People are supposed to trust me, with pretty much everything. This means I can show up in court, a person's life in my hands, their future completely in my control. I am competent to handle anything, even if I don't have immediate knowledge, I am (theoretically) able to learn anything I need to learn for any legal/business matter.
I am taking a test, to be a LAWYER. Holy shit, Highschool doesn't even seem THAT long ago, and now I'm (hopefully) about to be a LAWYER?
Contracts, Torts, Constitutional Law, Evidence, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Corporations, Agency, Partnership, Commercial Paper, Secured Transactions, Federal Jurisdiction and Procedure, Illinois Procedure, Equity, Conflict of Laws, Sales, Real Property, Personal Property, Tax, all stuff I could be tested on, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.
Well, here goes.
What the fuck am I doiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing? |
|
|
| Blogging again/Dan and Annie's Wedding |
[Feb. 27th, 2009|04:17 pm] |
I decided to start blogging again. Today's subject is Dan and Annie's wedding:
The original blog entry can be found at http://absconditusamaritudo.blogspot.com/ , this one has photos.
Two dear friends of Mine got Married the weekend before last, Daniel Krug and Annie Mahoney. I've known them both about a decade, I played Waterpolo with Dan in highschool, and lived with Annie for two years (one in college, one in law school).
We did a wedding shower/bachelor(ette) party a few weeks ago, and it involved some epic times at Medieval Times. Annie got me some cool gifts: 1) A set of foot cleaners (probably because she has always complained my feet smell), and 2) A set of Pez dispensers which are the full cast of Star Trek the original series, including the Starship enterprise.
Today I will recount the wedding itself:
The day of, I went with David and Fiona to pick up some presents and David's tux. The tux was really nice, Dan picked out a good one for all the guys (we all had the same tux on, just with some different colours). If I had to make one criticism about the tux, however, it is that it didn't have the crotch enhancement sock included. There were suspenders, regular socks, pretty much everything... but nothing to make my package look totally sweet. Unfortunately I had to fashion my own; Dan didn't account for us not all already having beautiful bulges naturally (like he has), but I'm pretty pleased with the fake crotch I fashioned. The grapefruit was quite edible and delicious the next day.
We then went to Bed Bath and Beyond (BBB) to get some wedding presents. Unfortunately there was none of the plates Annie specifically requested in stock, but there was something that caught my eye. When I saw that they requested a "Dutch Oven", I just had to get it for them. I can not think of a better present to show my affection for the wonderful couple than an entendre to fart torture. Dan and I have happily farted on each other countless times, and I've farted on Annie (to her dismay/hatred) for about a decade straight. I'm hoping they will both enjoy the "Dutch Oven" I gave them, and that Annie will realize that my gaseous assaults on her were playful and out of love.
I met up with the girls (Bride's Party) for lunch at noodles, and they all looked hilarious. They were wearing plastic hair protectors a la old British Lady. Lunch was good, and I ensured that I would have enough pesto breath for Annie to smell from me while she was trying to enjoy the most beautiful moment of her life. We broke from lunch, I wished Annie good luck, and we went our respective ways.
...Until we met up again in Joliet at the Mansion. The Mansion Annie and Dan had their wedding reception in is next to the Chapel in which they got married. It's actually a really cool place, theres a real feeling of intimacy and awe that the beautiful old building creates. To make a point of honesty, when Annie told me that they had decided to switch from the Naper Settlement chapel to this place in Joliet... I thought this stuffy old mansion sounded pretty lame. I looked online, and I was only moderately impressed with the place. Once I stepped in the place on the day of the wedding, I instantly felt like an idiot. Henry Jacob Mansion really is an awesome place to have a wedding reception. There's a wonderful feeling to the place- but not too serious (the Jackaloupe... rabbit with antlers, mounted by the bar is evidence enough of that). Really Annie made a terrific call, and Val was right (Val and Dave got married at the same place), I can't think of a cooler place to get married really.
David and I (running late) quickly ran to a bathroom and changed into our tuxes. There was a creepy painting of a man staring at us in there. I'm pretty sure his eyes and mouth moved, Viggo style from Ghostbusters II, minus the world domination, plus creepy rape stare. I found Mike and Emily, both of them looked pretty awesome. I noted that they had both taken care to ensure their crotches looked totally bangin' for the great cerimony. David and Mike looked really good as the "goon squad"/ushers. They went around threatening people in mob voices, which was pretty sweet. I found Dan and his guys, got a beer, and headed upstairs to make contact with the Bride's Party.
They were being girly and fixing stuff up, specifically setting Annie's dress/veil thing properly. One thing I will admit, is that Annie looked absolutely stunning. I had seen her in the dress before when she got it, and thought it was pretty good. I don't think I'm big on texture/lacing, but I thought it was a good dress on her back then. Seeing the dress on her after it had been tailored was something else entirely. She made a really good decision, it was really classy without being frumpy. Kind of modern/chic, but not obnoxious. Basically, she balanced out everything really well, and ended up looking like the kind of bride I imagine a lot of girls fantasize about being. Kudos to her. I have a long history of verbally and psychologically crapping on Annie, for my own amusement, but I can find nothing to dig her on here. She really did look amazing, but don't tell her that.
Dan also managed to look like a wedding magazine model. Like I said, he picked out a very good lucking tux design for us all. It looked extra good on him. He had a vest/tie colour called "Bisque", something that I figured might look kind of silly. I was wrong, he had the same kind of thing going as Annie- classy but not frumpy. He made that thing look awesome, really like someone in one of the David's Bridal magazines. The groomsmen also looked really good, I had figured that their colour scheme would look a little weird, but it also turned out to be really cool. The theme of this story is that I am stupid and shouldn't have doubted anything, because Dan and Annie pretty much engineered a perfect wedding.
There were a lot of professional pictures taken, with every possible combination of everyone in the wedding party- Groomsmen, Bridesmaids/men, Fathers, Mother, Ushers, and the couple. I feel like a lot of the pictures with the Bride's party that would have been otherwise cute were made creepy with a guy (me) in them. For example, when Annie lifted her dress to show her garter and we all looked to give a "that's hot" expression... pretty cute for a bunch of bridesmaids to do... maybe a little creepy with a guy in it. In any case, a lot of pictures were taken, and I can't wait to see them/order some. One of the things that was revealed to everyone during these pictures is that Annie was wearing punky sneakers with skull designs on them. This is a very subtle but very Annie touch to the wedding. Underneath it all, she's still Annie, and that's always there. I get it, pretty clever/cool. However, maybe I'm reading too much in to it and she just wanted to be comfortable.
The Ushers were deployed to usher people in right before the wedding, and then we all headed over to the Chapel. The big moment was coming up, and I was about to crap myself with nervousness. We did our procession in, and I walked down the aisle with Liz. I had tasked Liz to watch me and make sure I did everything right that I was supposed to do, and I think she saw me right to that task. Dan was pretty much the essence of stud up at the front, possibly because he had so insidiously made sure that he would have the most amazing package. The Bride came down, and I think everyone was very impressed with the aesthetic of everything (it was a very cool chapel too).
I was kind of shaky and nervous through the cerimony, almost cried a couple times but managed not to, because crying is for girls. I was psychotically focused on the tail of Annie's dress, as I was tasked with being the "Fluffer". I guess this is something the Maid/Man of honour always does. The pastor told me I was the best fluffer that he had ever seen, and that made me proud, obvious porno reference aside. Unfortunately, I think in a lot of the pictures, everyone looks pretty distinguished, and I look like I am staring at Annie's ass...or maybe garter again. I think overall I fluffed well, I am most proud of where they are standing facing each other and Annie's dress is draped over the stairs. Pretty sweet, isn't it?
We all exited as per usual wedding, and Mike and David gooned/ushered people out. We headed over to the Mansion for the reception, and I realized something. I think weddings, as a rule, freak me out. When I was standing up there with Dan and Annie, I wasn't freaked out at all. I was nervous, but I was basically just really really really happy. It was awesome that they were getting married, and I was really happy to be there, and really proud to be part of it. I was thinking about how the two of them are basically family, and we'll be friends till we die or I fart one time too many. Was actually a really cool experience to be right there at ground zero of the vows, and I think I will always remember it very clearly. At least, I will remember every crease and ruffle of the tail of Annie's Dress...
We all got announced and came down the stairs. I was expecting one of the Groomsmen to make a speech when the couple stopped half way down the stairs. Someone poked me and I just went up instead. I toasted them, neglecting the speech I had written earlier, and just kind of said what was on my mind. I feel it was acceptable. Nate, Dan's brother gave a really good speech, and I think Dan set the proper mood with a very characteristic "thanks guys" at the end of the speeches which everyone found to be funny.
Just as the wedding had been pretty much perfect, I think the reception was pretty much perfect too. The food was awesome, and the drinks were nice and stiff. Everyone seemed to have an awesome time, and I think Dan and Annie liked it too. I didn't realize that clinking on your glass meant you were inciting the couple to kiss... for a while I was going under the assumption that many many toasts had failed to launch. When I found out that you could make them kiss by clinking, I made a point to do it, while staring, and saying "kiss...yes...kiss" in a creepy Mike Paulin voice. I think there might also be a photo of them Kissing, a professional one, that would otherwise be really sweet were it not for me giving a huge grin and thumbs up behind/inbetween them.
Later there was dancing, and as Emily noted "Neither Mike nor Ed can dance... at all... oh god it's so bad... I can't bel... it's just SO BAD". That being said, Mike and I managed to "skank", a move taught to us by Andi (mutual friend), and that was kind of cool. Dan was undoubtedly the most popular dancer of the night, but I managed to pull off a few cheesy moves like "mow the lawn", and "harpoon the Mike Paulin and drag him on to the dance floor"... that one was actually kind of awesome. David managed to restrain himself from break dancing, though I knew he wanted to. I also got to catch up with some Naperville crew, Kyle, Alyson, Lauren, Brendan, and it was nice to hang out with them a bit. Kari and Scott were also at the wedding, and it was awesome to see them- but I regret not hanging out with them more and getting some photos with them. They're really awesome people, I should have interacted with them more. Hadn't seen them sinze Liz's wedding. Oh well, next wedding?
The only dissapointment of the evening was that when David asked the DJ if he had Rick Astley's "never gonna give you up", he was told that "no, we don't, sorry". It would have been awesome for him to Rick Roll the wedding, it's really a shame it didn't happen. The night ended with a song by Avril Lavigne "Skater Boy", classic Annie planning. Everyone sang along and kicked about and looked ridiculous.
Heres a video that my brother uploaded on to youtube of everyone dancing, it's pretty ridiculous:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0
Yea, that's right.
I also managed to get the garter when it was thrown by Dan. I guess it's the male version of when the girl throws flowers. I was happy to get it, though I don't know what significance it has. The significance I do know of is... theres pictures of me oggling the garter from before the wedding, there's pictures of me staring at it (maybe) during the wedding, and then theres a picture of me showing it off after I caught it. Basically, people are going to get the idea that I am a garter fetishist based on the photographic evidence available.
It was an awesome wedding, and an awesome reception. Those two really pulled it off, and I think they had the perfect event. I was really happy to be there, and really proud to be in the wedding party. I certainly was able to appreciate how important they both are to me, and how significant they have been, are, and will be in my life. I see them as kind of a model of a married couple, and they're a great couple.
It was also really cool to have such a strong Soderberg presence there. I kind of thought of it as an old fashioned thing with several Celtic Tribes. Dan's family had a large presence of course, but the Soderberg Clan was huge...(if not in number, at least in significance) and we aren't even technically related. My mother talks about Dan and Annie (and Mike) as if we are all family, as if we are a joined clan with sweet weapons and packages (part of this might be that we don't really have extended family). Still, it was a really chest warming affirmation to have such a big presence (Me, Fiona, David, my Mother). We all sat close to the couple at the reception, 2 of us were in the wedding party (3 including Mike), 3 (4 with Mike) were announced, and I think we all feel that those two are really kind of family/family friends forever.
I can't wait for a Harry Potter-a-thon with those two, as well as watching the startrek porno. |
|
|
| Week #1 |
[Mar. 11th, 2008|11:42 pm] |
So Val and I have a little competition going. We took our current weights, and whoever can lose the most by summer- has to buy the other a burger from KUMAS (see previous post for how awesome KUMAS is). I guess this turns into competition part 2 for the summer.
Anyway, theres no way she can beat me, or is there?
So, week #1- 231 lbs. Wow, that's a lot. It's a good thing this is a competition and I have someone to beat.
Ideally i'd like to shed those 31 lbs in some reasonable time frame.
Anyway, we'll see how this goes.
Friday, Mike and I went to Laura's to have dinner with Will and RJ. It was pretty awesome.
I went to the southside irish parade on saturday (down in beverly). It was pretty interesting/drunk/crazy. I managed not to get lynched, and I actually ended up winning the day. A piece of Chicago culture that I finally availed myself to. After I got back to the North Side, I crashed and was unable to muster myself for the bowling league final game. Whoops.
The Wii is pretty freaking cool. The population of Wii Miis is growing, and each one is more entertaining than the last. Today I made Mike's Mii look less crazy, but as a compromise I made "G.R.S". I also made leprechaun. Nice.
Anyway, I'm still doing well. Spring break comes up after this week, and I suppose I should spend it working on my Appellate crap for LARC as well as figuring out future employment.
-Edward
p.s. Uberstein is a sweet german bar with awesome food. Mike and I have gone a couple times with people, it's...sweet.
p.p.s. I want Indian food, anyone want to go to standard Indian with me on Belmont sometime (soon)? |
|
|
| Revival of livejournal? |
[Mar. 4th, 2008|01:03 am] |
I think I might start posting regularly again, because I realise the value in having something like this (entertainment/self reflection looking back over several years).
There have been a string of positive changes/developments in my life recently, so as compared to the last couple years, I think I've broken out of something of a slump and things are going pretty well (supra).
I was just playing some Zelda on my new system, and that game is so freaking sweet. In the first couple minutes i was herding yak into a barn on a sweet horse... and it was so much fun. I then whistled a falcon and sent it to catch me a chicken, I then used that chicken to get some money. I just beat the shit out of some baboons with a wooden sword, and spanked a troll for good measure. I know this game is going to be lots of fun.
Last week I went to "Standard Indian" with Boyle, Mary, and Mike, and it was pretty fucking fantastic. Knowing that amazing indian buffet is a convenient train ride away (right next to the red/brown line belmont el stop) is something that enhances my life. Boyle has actually been showing me the path to many great food things in Chicago. The week before we went to the "Athenian Room", just down webster (close to me), and I had the BEST gyros I have ever had. Last night after Bowling (I'm on a team with the Depaul Law Bowling League- we're in last place and loving it) The team (Boyle, Alex, Meg, Myself, and Laura... Mary was missing) got Mexican up on Wilson by the Brown Line stop. Now, I usually don't like Mexican, but I LOVED this stuff. I've also had some amazing delivery pizza from a place called Peaquod's (sp?- I know its a Moby Dick reference) which is close to me. There is also a place which is GREAT for milkshakes just a block away (on Armitage) from where I live. Fucking Phenominal. Let's not forget the bangin' sushi next door, as well as the best Thai in Chicago up on Addison off the red line. There's a Jamaican Grill like, next door to me, which I want to try sometime.
However, the most relevant food discovery of... my life... (thanks to a Boyle-led expedition) is KUMAS. KUMAS CORNER, it's a Metal/Rock Bar up on Belmont just West of California, and it has the best burgers in Chicago. Yes, I am willing to make that statement in good faith and without exaggeration. Pictures of topless women clad in leather, a bear covered in blood (KUMA= Bear in Japanese), "Die Emo, Die", and Naval Tattoos cover the wall, and the smell of delicious meat fills the air. We usually get Mac and Cheese as an appetizer (best I've ever had), and then go for one of the epic burgers. Each burger is named after a Rock or Metal band, and is phenomenal. Especially notable ones are the Judas Priest, Fu Man Chu, and Pantera. I really can't do justice to these things in words, so this is an open invite to have some of you come to KUMAS with us sometime, it's WELL worth it. I am not blowing this out of proportion, just ask Mike- or anyone who has been. FREAKING AMAZING. Trust me.
In other news, I just recently checked my last semester's grades, and fear was in my heart. However, turns out I did well. Whoops. So what have I gathered from all this? Well, given that my worst semester was my most studious, it shows me that my Han Solo approach to life works somehow.
(Han Solo Approach to life?) Example- When we had oral arguments on our first trial brief in LARC III, seems everyone prepped a lot, and choked hard, on the big donkey dick of the legal system. Pretty unprepared me did really well, looked the Judge right in the eye, and told her what was up. The flexibility of not being too prepared allowed me to do the verbal limbo gracefully and with great confidence. Any of you who are familar with Han Solo (see- original star wars character) will understand this.
"I love you"
-Leia
"I know"
-Han
*Han gets frozen in Carbonite*
One of the best movie lines/moments ever.
In any case, I'm starting to get a feel for some of my strengths and weaknesses. I am very notably not good at being bored and working in a librarian fashion. I am notably good at adaptation and verbal battling. Litigation seems like a prudent and enjoyable career path...maybe? I can't wait to take Trial Ad and blow a bunch of jittery nerds out of the water. I did a little research, and it turns out the cards are stacked in my favour as a litigator. Over 6 foot, full head of hair, not too pale, some unique vocal qualities, good with eye contact, big testicles. Turns out all of those are good for the job.
Poker/Pancake night every (most) saturday nights has also been a great success. I've gotten pretty good at making pancakes, fruit pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, rum pancakes. You gotta come try some of these badboys, I'm telling you- I'm good. Breaking down to Kareoke at 2am has also proven fun with a group of good people.
I just got a Wii and some games. It is sweet. So freaking sweet. I can't even believe it. Years(ish) of waiting, and finally I have one. Oh god it's so good. Just ask Mike.
Saw LABERYNTH (David Bowie's Crotch Movie) at this cool little weird cinema/cult place. It was cool, I want to go back there, it's one of the cool off-beat things of Chicago. You know, like most things outside of the Loop and Wrigleyville.
Basically, I've been doing a lot of cool stuff with a lot of cool people, and been having lots of (mostly clean) fun. I really feel like a part of this city, the real part, the interesting part, the part that makes me feel like a proper 23 year old living a proper and at least moderately exciting life. I know, right? I'm a law student and shouldn't have time for anything cool. But hey, turns out I do alright.
I've also taken a "fuck it" approach to some things and people in life. Fuck it, you can only get so upset about getting shit on and smeared so many times before you're callous to the experience. Fuck it. I have a Wii, and Pancakes, and an Indian place, David Bowie's crotch, and freaking KUMAS.
Oh yea, and the #1 best new development that I have... oh man. Oh, looks like Stella wants taking out, you'll just have to ask me about it sometime in person. But seriously, I'm pretty much sweet.
Looks like I'm on a challenge to get into shape. I'll probably log that here.
-Edward
p.s. ILLINI Girl's Wheelchair Basketball are National Champions. That means Fiona's cool roommates. So good on them, and go Illini. |
|
|
| Oh yea |
[Feb. 21st, 2008|12:29 am] |
You ever get that feeling that your life kind of turned around, things are going very well for you, and maybe you arn't doomed to some sort of... whatever, anyway, I now own a Wii.
-Edward |
|
|
| oh yea |
[Feb. 8th, 2008|03:24 pm] |
|
Hey, and remind me to tell you about the amazing and victorious few weeks I've had sometime. |
|
|
| (no subject) |
[Jan. 5th, 2008|10:54 am] |
"One night, my girlfriend came over to surprise me with cookies. I grabbed her face to give her a kiss, and she asked why my hand smelled funny. I wasn't about to tell her it was from my sweaty balls, so I told her I'd been doing dishes"
-Hughes, 29, Cosmopolitan Magazine |
|
|
| New Year's |
[Jan. 1st, 2008|12:02 pm] |
My sister was in London, and my brother was scouring chicagoland for an about-to-become-illegal something or other. I was at the treehouse making pancakes.
And they were great.
I had bought everything to make pancakes from scratch, then Ali informed me that my baking "soda" would not be an adequate substitute for baking "powder". I looked at Mark in despair, seeking guidance/help. He shook his head at me.
So I went and bought seven-eleven out of pancake mix. The chocolate-chip pancakes we made were adored by all, as they were quite delicious. Thanks go to Nima and Gush for whipping up the batter and working the skillet. However, thanks is then taken away from Gush from squirting too much whipped cream down my throat.
Emily shot me this look at one point in the night that made me want to kill myself. I think I was saying something about Mike, and then BAM, she gave me the eyes of infinite terror. Hey, Mike sounded ridiculous, he deserved ridicule...
Rockband was popular amongst people here, until the freaking system started to overheat from use. I got to meet this "Tony" character, and he was pretty much awesome. Anyway, he seems to have a good deal of natural musical talent, as he took right to Rockband, and later showed us all up in Singstar Karaoke.
A memorable point in the night is when Tony destroyed Ali in Brittany Spears' "One More Time". I don't know who that should have been embarrassing for.
Ah yes, SINGSTAR. It was with Singstar that we brought in the new year. I cranked the volume, then Mark and I wailed out "The Final Countdown" not quite in time for 0-hour. Everyone joined in (i think/hope), which beat out that old new year's song. Hey, the final countdown with Mark is always fun, but now it's TRADITION.
I also got to sing "Winds of Change" while in the embrace of Mike Paulin, it was really bro-mantic.
All in all I'd say it was a successful gathering, people seemed to have fun, and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of upset over the fact that it was an exemplary "sausage-fest". The Canadian bacon was a let-down, and my beer hadn't gotten cold enough, but it was a good night nonetheless.
It ended with Milligan and I having a sleepover. We had a pillowfight, and talked about girls, it was pretty sweet.
Ah yes, and Dan left me a hilarious New Year's message, which I have saved in my phone for anyone who wants to hear it. |
|
|
| (no subject) |
[Dec. 7th, 2007|05:32 pm] |
I just took my first final, Business Organizations.
It was easy... too easy.
I think that means I did poorly.
SHIT
Also, life kinda sucks in fucking december. |
|
|
| (no subject) |
[Dec. 2nd, 2007|12:07 am] |
I teabagged mike tonight.
And he liked it, because he's my little *****. |
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
| |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
carverkenshi's journal