Kitten a Go-Go

Upon Becoming a Lawyer

If you plan to play the audio CLE of Building the Financial Aspects of a Divorce Case:  Show Me the Money, Honey, DON'T LEAVE THE DAMN ROOM.  I can pretty much guarantee that 99% of your family members or random visitors within listening range will NOT want to hear it.

Welcome to Life at a Big Firm

I'm tired.  Really tired.  So incredibly tired.  And I think I ate some questionable sushi for dinner.  Ugh.

News to only a few people...

I'm leaving my current firm at the end of the month and making another move.  This would be job #3 since graduation.  As usual, I will say nothing about my current job or future job and simply hope for the best.  More to come on 10/1.

The Four Watershed Cases

As I mention in my last post, I bought a book on the SCOTUS today.  Bernard Schwartz's A History of the Supreme Court.  I skimmed the intro and I see that the various courts are covered and there are chapters  on four "watershed cases."  Instead of going to the Table of Contents to see the selected cases, I decided what I thought they would be in my head.  Then I checked.

Here are the author's selections as the featured "watershed cases:"
1.  Dred Scott v. Sanford
2.  Lochner v. New York
3.  Brown v. Board of Education
4.  Roe v. Wade

I was intrigued by this selection.  As I read more, I'm sure that I will understand why these specific cases are featured.  I totally get the first three.  I agree that they changed the course of things on a very great level.  But Roe surprised me. 

Everyone who has met me or read anything remotely political that I've written knows that I am pro-choice.  I am extremely proud to have worked for Planned Parenthood of Delaware.  I am also extremely interested in Roe and its progeny.  However, I wouldn't have picked Roe. 

To me, much more important that Roe is Griswold v. CT.  That is the one that made Roe happen.  That's where the right to privacy was born.  Really, I'm not interested in Roe and its progeny - I'm interested in Griswold and its progeny, which includes Roe. 

So, for the legal folks, what are your four watershed cases?  The Boy included Marbury v. Madison,  but perhaps that is simply because we were all killed with that one in Con law.  He also said Miranda.  There are so many...  But I still wouldn't have gone with Roe. 

Winning Winners that Win

And that's what we did.  As far as trials go, I am now undefeated. 

(I totally used serious lawyer face during the opening.  It was compelling, as you can imagine.)

It's not the length that matters

Tomorrow is our girl's first trial.  It's a short trial, but that doesn't matter because it is still a trial.  Just condensed to a total of six hours for both sides. 

Now, I'm not just going to be there to lift heavy boxes and organize binders.  I'm speaking at this trial.  To a jury. 

Jurors.  Will.  Hear.  Me.  Talk.  About.  The.  Law.  And.  Stuff.

Needless to say, I'm scared to death, but very excited.  I'm doing the opening statement and potential direct examination of a rebuttal witness. 

After that, I'm going to have a drink.  I hope we win, but I will not be crushed if we don't. 

Remember that judge with the penis pump? This isn't quite that bad.

Las Vegas now has recently made national news with some craziness involving one of our judges.  Do click here to see the latest article, which The Boy was kind enough to forward to me.

Please allow me to stand on my soapbox for one all-caps sentence:  ELECTED JUDGES ARE NOT THE WAY.

Oh, and by the way...

Have I mentioned that I got a new job?  Well, I did. 

I guess the time is now...

I can tell the February bar studiers are getting freaked out.  My searches for barbri are picking up again.  Good luck to all of you.  It's going to be over soon and it will all be okay.

It's over

Dear readers,

More to come when I get home, but I had to tell you - I passed the bar!!!

Danielle

THIS IS AWESOME

ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod.  LOOK AT WHAT I BOUGHT!!!!!!  I am so freaking excited to get this and put it in my office and talk to him when my research gets tough.  This seriously made my day.

I want this.

I'm trying to find a photograph of my beloved Justice Blackmun, suitable for framing in my office.  Not having any luck.  But I did find this.  I want it.  BAD.

Law Porn

Like so many girls, I had big dreams.  As is often the case, there was a man involved.  He didn't know I existed.  I thought about him often.  He was the center of my fantasies. 

He was everything I thought a man should be.  Bold, refreshing, thoughtful, intelligent.  I wasn't sure how to catch his attention.  I did everything I could.  I excelled.  I pushed myself.  I tried to work my way into his circles so that he might notice me. 

Finally, I knew it was time to make my move.  I wrote him a letter and told him about myself and the many things that I'd been doing to catch his eye.  I even included a list of some people that knew me that he might be interested in talking to. 

Dear readers, I must be clear, the object of my affection was an important man.  I didn't think he would be interested in a simple girl like me. 

But one day, the phone rang.  It was his assistant.  He wanted to see me.  I eagerly accepted the date.  I marked my calendar and started counting the minutes until we would finally meet.

I barely slept the night before our date.  I'd never had such butterflies over a man. 

Finally, my alarm went off early and I began primping.  I knew that I had to look perfect.  He didn't strike me as one who would only care about my looks, but I refused to take chances.  I carefully styled my hair.  I applied tasteful make up. 

Shortly before it was time to leave, I eased on my Calvin Klein pantyhose.  I shimmied into my best navy blue suit.  I slipped into my demure heels, as nothing too daring would be acceptable.  As a finishing touch, I added a single strand of pearls.  I grabbed my leather portfolio and was out the door. 

His secretary was kind to me and tried to put me at ease.  By the time he was ready to see me, the butterflies in my stomach had taken over.  I was a nervous wreck.  I told myself that I was being silly - to be so nervous over a man!  But I couldn't help it.  I knew that this was probably my only chance. 

Our brief time together was magical.  We talked and laughed and he made me feel interesting and successful.  He had an important meeting, so we couldn't spend the entire day together.  I understood.  A man of his prestige had more important things to do than socialize with a girl who had a crush.  We parted with a handshake and I was electrified.  I felt a shiver down my spine as we said goodbye.  He said he would be in touch soon.

It took me days to stop thinking about him nonstop.  I couldn't wait to hear from him, but I knew how busy his schedule was.  I tried to get on with my life, but such a man has a way of permanently distracting you.

One afternoon, my phone rang.  I answered and it was his secretary.  He wanted to see me again.  I ecstatically accepted his invitation. 

For our second meeting, I chose a tasteful black suit with a classic light blue shirt.  I completed the look with the same strand of pearls. 

When his secretary led me to his office, I could not feel my legs.  I'd never been so nervous.  When I entered the room, he extended his hand and I shook it.  He must have felt my hand shaking and said, "Danielle, there's no need to be nervous." 

"Thank you for seeing me again.  I'm so happy that you called again." 

"Danielle, I was very impressed with the things you've done to get my attention.  I've contacted our mutual friends and they've had nothing but good things to say about you.  I think we may be a perfect match."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Danielle, if you are still interested, I would like you to be my clerk." 

I'd never imagined that he would ever notice a girl like me, but it was happening.  My dreams were all coming true.

"Justice Blackmun, I would like nothing more than to work with you.  Thank you." 

I can't believe they gave me a JD

My graduation pictures finally arrived today.  Isn't it funny?  I ordered it because I am obviously laughing.  My legs are extremely pale.  My make up is bad.  My hair is awful.  Great, great picture. 

Now, I can finally write out my thank you cards.  I've been delaying it so that I could include pictures in the ones for the family members.  I can't just write five of the cards and not the other ones.  That would not work for CRAZY.  Plus, I had to find most of my thank you cards in the garage.  Plus, I don't really remember how to spell.  I wonder if it is impersonal to type messages, print them, cut them out and glue them into the cards...

Where to Start...

I am so thankful that we were at a red light when we saw this one. Yeah, that's a NUN on a billboard for a law office.
Originally uploaded by kittenagogo.

If you can't see this clearly, you need to click on the picture so that you are fully prepared to discuss the professional responsibility aspects of this billboard.

That's right -it's a nun. The caption reads "Even I got one!" I called the number. It is definitely a law office. This may be the best billboard I have ever seen for legal services.

When The Pain Begins To Fade, You Can Start To Think About the Good Times

For us, the second day of the bar was the dreaded MBE.  Our computers, which lived in the ballroom from Monday through Thursday, had to go against the side wall.  All purses also lived there.  As I believe most of you know, I sat directly facing my proctor with maybe 5 feet separating us.  So I was super close to the front of the room and the wall upon which my stuff was leaning. 

After handing out our MBE booklets, my favorite proctor was heading back to hear chair.  (She's the one that I faced.)  She had to walk along the wall of purses and computers.  She tripped on a purse.  Of course, it was mine.  My Sam bag.  One of the long handles snuck up and wrapped around her ankles and she pulled it forward.  Of course, since this was happening to me, contents of the purse began pouring out.  I wasn't allowed to leave my seat, so the poor woman had to put all of the stuff back.  I saw her replace my keys and 600 extra pencils and highlighters. 

Then, like a minute later, I saw her get a funny look on her face and she leaned down to pick something up and put it in my purse.  You know what it was - that's right, a tampon. 

Fortunately, I don't think many people saw this scene because it was quiet and during the instruction period.  But leave it to me to attack the proctor with a tampon...

It's ovah

More to come later.  But today's essays went much better than mondays. 

Torts, Corporations, Property (but not too bad) and Professional Responsibility.

Tomorrow

Oh, Dear Readers, the bar is not going well.  I'm just going to make a list.

1. Recap from yesterday:  I sucked ass on two of the four essays, although the mpt was fine.  This does not give me good odds going in to the second set of essays.
2. Today's MBE was not great.  It was hard.  In reviewing my remaining subjects for tomorrow's possibilities, I made some stupid mistakes.  Let's hope I got enough right to recover.  I'll be so angry with myself if I pass the essays and fail the MBE.
3. Tomorrow's possibilities are grim.  I'll make a separate list for those.

Tomorrow is another four essays with these potential topics:

1. Agency & Partnership:  please please please let this be one of them.  I know these subjects.
2. Civil Procedure:  I think that this was part of a crossover yesterday with Domestic Relations and Community Property, but I don't know if it was enough to be considered a crossover by those in charge, so it could still come up.  If that's the case, I'd prefer we not go there.
3. Conflicts:  Sort of came up on Domestic relations/community property.  I'd really prefer we not get into this.
4. Corporations:  This one seems pretty damn likely to me.  I feel good about most of it.  I would prefer that everything be about duties.  I know the duties.  I don't like the stock stuff, but I think I'm making it trickier than it needs to be.
5. Evidence:  I've accepted this as a likely suspect.  I want one of those lists of six or seven things where I have to say why it is or isn't admissible.
6. Property:  UGH.  I hate this subject.  It is definitely going to be something that I am not good at like easements.
7. Remedies:  I can handle this, but I can't see it getting a question by itself.
8. Torts:  Fine.  I'll take it.  I think I can handle it with reasonable grace.
9. Commercial Paper:  I'm hoping for the best that this won't be involved in my life tomorrow.  Unless someone wants to give me a check.
10. Secured:  I am fine with part and not fine with part.  I can get everything through perfection.  Once we get into priority, things get muddy.  And for default, well, I'll just say they have to give it back.
11. Wills/Trusts:  Everyone knows that this is the one subject that I've been begging for the entire time.  I'd prefer none of the secret or semi-secret trust nonsense, but I'll take what I can get.  My dream question would be a list of stuff from a will, some other stuff that happened after and what to do with the stuff in the will.  I'm okay with those.  And I can talk about dependent relative revocation for hours. 

Ideally, it will be wills, torts, evidence and agency/partnership or corporations.  I'm dreading the thought of a property or secured question.  I guess we'll see tomorrow.  I truly believe that my passing this thing hinges on these questions.  I made too many mistakes on Monday to really cover my ass.  (although, again, I don't know what happened on the damn MBE.  I believe I was overthinking the questions again and looking for exceptions where they didn't exist.  Oh well.)

Just four more hours of torture and this will be done.  A little sleep tonight would be great, but I can't see it happening easily.

Let's get it over with and talk about this.

Day one is over.  I am so tired that I can't see straight.  (but i'm sure i won't be able to sleep anyway b/c that's how it goes.)

I got there and took my essays.  I feel okay about two and the MPT.  Not good about two.  Pissed at myself for blowing the contracts essay because I got bogged down with something stupid. 

I want this to be over.

The calm before the storm

It's the day before the thing.  I'm not much interested in talking about it.  I wish they'd been tricky during registration and said, yeah, if anyone wants to get started now, we'll give you thirty extra minutes.  I totally would have done it.

This post is, instead, about how the thing is impacting my behavior.  I mean, I'm normally a little, um, quirky.  It's just taken to a whole new level.  Evidence.

1. I would not kill a bug today for fear of the karmic debt that I would owe.  I trapped it on the kitchen floor with a tupperware container and then weighed it down with a barbri book so neither the cat nor the bug could enjoy one another's company until Kevin got home from work.  I feel a little silly now that I have learned it was a cricket. 
2. I have a sandwich bag in my purse with at least six different kinds of pens, several highlighters and an eraser.  I'm typing the exam, so I believe that's overkill.
3. For dinner, I insisted that Kevin get me In N Out burger (plus milkshake).  It was AWESOME.  It's the first time I've had it since last summer.  Mmmmmm. 
4. I'm again preoccupied with my hair.  That damn Cielo girl cut it crooked and it is suddenly experiencing a growth spurt.  I have to get it fixed before I enter the working world. 

Now, I'm thinking I might look at a couple of quick flash cards.  Then I'm going to watch tv.  Then, I'm praying to deities that I don't believe in to whisk me into slumber.

Registration

Okay, I went to registration.  My computer works.  I've got my ID.  I am sitting in the front row facing the moderator's table.  They better be quiet and they better not have desirable snacks.  (i.e., red and purple skittles). 

I guess I have to go back tomorrow and deal with this shit.  If I feel like it.

I take it back

Forget everything bad that I've said about Malmquist, Van Camp and Pereia recently.  I take it all back.  I like them now.  I hope that I might see them next week.  Hint hint bar examiners.  HINT HINT.

An Observation

I don't think they should let people that don't drink caffeine sit for the bar.  My body can't handle this. 

It's not Midnight? WTF.

How is it only 4:30?  I feel like I've been hit by a truck.  While I flew through this morning's review, I now require breaks in between every subject.  Soon, the breaks are going to require ice cream (these breaks - they are pushy about their demands). 

On a bright note, I now seem too tired to want to vomit.  The advil still isn't working wonders on the head pain.  blah blah blah. 

[insert sentence about how the bar exam sucks and how i wish it was over and how I'm going to fail because I can't remember anything and blah blah blah.]

Shouldn't be able to feel brain growing

Yesterday was fun-filled MBE review.  I didn't get through everything (no big deal because I did property the day before and that's all that I had left). 

Today, is the run through of the state subjects.  I've made it through 7 or 8 (who's counting??) and my head is throbbing.  I think I can feel my brain actually expanding.  Either that or it's just about to explode.

I hate secured transactions.  If we are blessed with a question, I can rock their world until we get into the priority disputes.  Anyone with me from Wladis?  SCPPD.  I hate the way Barbri taught it and I think they need to get Wladis and his SCPPD and LIOOP.  Much better.  I remember more from having it with him than I got out of Barbri. 

Okay, now it's time for Civil Procedure...

Sleep is magic

know what happens when you get a decent night's sleep?  You start to remember stuff.  Amazing. 

Then again, I was studying the easier stuff.  (Con law and evidence are done for the moment.) Now, I'm going to jump into Torts.  Then Contracts.  Then Crim.  Then Property. 

And I'm going to remember every last bit.  Dammit.

Last night's battle

Last night still wasn't an easier time getting to sleep.  Since I started the battle earlier, I did fall asleep earlier.  Probably between 12 - 1.  Good enough for me. 

But you know how some people count sheep?  I kept repeating the sixteen types of collateral.  Also the elements for an injunction and specific performance since I always forget those. 

When the alarm went off at 7, I got up and got moving.  And now, I am going to start my MBE subject review.  Here's what I've decided to do for the next three days.

Friday:  Review flashcards and outlines for all MBE subjects.  Continue memorizing.  End day with review of all mini-outlines.

Saturday:  Review flashcards and outlines for all non-MBE subjects.  End day with review of all mini-outlines.

Sunday:  Outlines for all subjects.  Practice essays.  Thorough review of Crim and Professional Responsibility.  End day with review of all mini-outlines.

Most of Monday will be shot with registration and trying to stay calm enough to fall asleep at a decent hour.  I fully intend to review my mini-outlines at least twice.  Also plan to go through flash cards for Criminal and Professional Responsibility one last time.  (Watch, both of those essays will be on Thursday.)

Monday night when I get home, I'll go through my MBE mini-outlines before bed.  Tuesday, I'll pull out outlines for anything that didn't get an essay on Monday and do a quick review.  Thursday, I'll study the effects of vodka on the human body. 

Then it will be done. 

In a week...

It has not been one of my better days.  In fact, it's been shitty.  It started out with the sleep thing.  I finally got to sleep around 3.  I woke up when 7 when my alarm went off.  Felt like I was hit by a truck.  So i crawled back into bed.  Stayed there until a little before ten. 

Started studying agency and partnerships by 11.  Then property for the rest of the day.  I was hoping to get more done tonight, but by 9, I was done.  My brain is seriously shot right now. 

So, I patiently came downstairs.  I walked to the kitchen.  Opened the raspberry vodka.  Poured it into the shaker.  So desperate for my favorite drink that I squeezed oranges for the juice and made a fresh batch of cranberry juice from concentrate.  Since I didn't want to drink on an empty stomach, I made some popcorn on the stove.

Now, I've finished my drink and an episode of grey's anatomy.  Now, I'm going to take my nighty night cocktail and go to bed.  I am simply asking my body to go to sleep before 1.  If i go to sleep before 1, i will be able to survive my gruesome MBE review day tomorrow and not fall behind on my weekend review.

Fingers are crossed...

So, here's the thing

I have  four full days left to study for the thing.  I still feel lost as hell on the essays.  I've spent every damn day studying (at least a little bit) for almost two months.  I only feel truly comfortable answering an essay question on maybe four of the nineteen subjects.  If certain subjects come up, I'm completely, totally screwed.

It's funny because I came into things with the complete opposite attitude.  I repeatedly said that I'm not worried about the essays and it was the MBE that was going to kill me.  I haven't done a multiple choice question in well over a week, because I'm not really worried about that anymore.  As long as I have the stuff memorized, it will be fine.  It's the damn essays... 

I know I can get the points on the MPT and the Professional Responsibility essay.  But what on earth is going to save me on the last one that I need to pass?  It's going to have to be luck.  Sheer luck. 

Or a miracle in the next four days.  I still have two more easy subjects to review.  Agency and Partnership.  Not too worried about them.  Then, it's straight into memorization mode. 

I am so tired of thinking/talking/freaking out about this. 

Back to reviewing crim pro and my mini outlines. 

I've never read something more true

This is beyond brilliant.  I mean, seriously.

Support systems are important

"Do you think they will let me sit in Saxby's all day and study?"

"You don't drink coffee."

"I know.  Will they let me sit there and study?"

"I doubt it."

"What if I buy a soda?"

"Maybe.  Why don't you just go to the library at ccsn?"

"It's only open until 6:00."

"How long were you planning to stay at Saxby's?"

"Until I learn all of this stuff."

"They aren't open that long."

I am evil

I am going to have to go to the library tomorrow.  Because everything here is making me tense.  Every last little noise, which is really freaking loud and distracting.

Btw, I hate secured and commercial paper.  HATE THEM. 

Now I must get back to crim pro.

I'm too burnt out to think of a title, yo.

Last night, I couldn't sleep again.  Led to a late start this morning.  I did a couple of essays which didn't go as badly as I feared they would.  Then we went grocery shopping.  It did not soothe me.  In fact, it made me more stressed.  Visits to the grocery palace are not supposed to do that.  I purchased such necessary items as miracle whip (for making tuna, which we already have) and bread.  I do not want to leave the house again for a while.  It's hot and it's too close to the thing.

Then, I can back and started working with Contracts again.  I'm honestly surprised that I remembered as much as I did.  My memory started to go downhill with the remedies and third party stuff.  Probably because that's where I started fading the first time I went through it.  I finished the pile and I think I have a handle on things.  For now.  Let's see how long I can retain it. 

Right now, because the alarm is set for 6:30 a.m., I'm hitting a glass of wine pretty hard.  I'm hoping that the combo of wine and Ambien will lead me to sleep before 3 a.m.  Otherwise, it's going to hurt when the alarm goes off.

Saturday is for ...

Outlining.  Just this week, I swore I wasn't going to make any mini outlines.  But someone gave me mini outlines at the start of this thing.  So, I've spent all damn day going through them and making the changes that I need, etc.  I'm almost done.  Or, I should say, I will be done by the end of the night.  I've finished 13 so far. 

I'm soooooo glad that I skipped PMBR.  It gave me an extra day to study Civ Pro, which has undoubtedly been my worst subject.  Tomorrow, I'm going to pick random subjects all day and see how I do.  That will be good for my self esteem.

I've been in need of a pedicure.  So, I went and got one.  Took my professional responsibility flashcards with me.  The guy was super fast.  Which gave me time to shop for shoes.  Shoe Pavilion sucked ass.  Which lead me to DSW.  Sweet, sweet DSW.  Got two pairs of cute shoes for dirt cheap.  Then back here. 

Kevin has been out for most of the day, so it's been quiet.  I'm sort of bored.  Tiki's bored too.  But I must get back to those little outlines.  Which I'm going to place in a little binder.  And they will be ready to go for next Sunday and Monday (and Wednesday). 

Sweet Jesus, this thing sure is sneaking up fast...

When to give up

Okay, since we are down to the wire...  when do you give up on a subject?  Civ pro has been the bane of my existence for 2 days.  I can barely spot the issues and then I cannot write anything coherent.  After studying for the past 1.5 days, it seems that I haven't been looking at the right stuff anyway because I was too busy worried about the federal rules that we learned at our lecture and it's all state stuff in the essays. 

But, seriously, do I shelf this now or give it another half day tomorrow?  I'm thinking I can't give it any more than that because that will throw off every other subject.  Shit.  I hate this.  I think it's time to call it a night.  Perhaps I will wake up with my brain full of knowledge. 

I'm getting a pedicure tomorrow.  There is no reason I have to take the bar exam with chipped toes.  I would do it myself but that will take sixteen years because I am not good at using red nail polish (summer means only I'm not really a waitress).  So I'm taking my flash cards to the place that's five minutes away and they can tend to the mess while I study. 

I don't know what this means

Where are you in your study cycle when the opening fanfare for "Eye of the Tiger" starts playing on a loop in your brain?  Because that's where I am. 

I'm going to need a little pick me up when this is over.

The bar will be over soon enough.  I will need a trophy for surviving it.  I want this trophy.

It seems that these, the world's most perfect shoes, were discontinued and I didn't act quickly enough.  (If some random reader knows the name of this shoe, offhand, please please please leave it in the comments.  They were fall Kate Spade.  I need these shoes.  I could only hope that one of the outlets has them....  But they need a name to search.  The real name apparently wasn't most awesome shoe ever or peacock feet.)

So, to appease the hole in my heart because I can't have the peacocks, I want these.

They are cute and all.  But they don't even come in peacock feather.  Or aqua.  or red.  or pink.  Just this boring black.  It's almost like they would be too practical and no one would look at me funny if I wore them with a business suit.  They just aren't the right ones. 

Let this be a lesson to you:  if you see the ultimate shoes, buy them.  Because what Kate Spade giveth, she also taketh away. 

Freak Show

I am soooo glad i'm not going to be practicing in PA.  Not with these sorts of criminals running around....

To PMBR or not to PMBR...

Okay, people, I need your valuable opinions.  I am supposed to go to PMBR this weekend, starting on Friday.  Based on an ongoing assessment of my individual needs, I'm thinking about skipping it and working on other stuff.  My rationale:

1. I do NOT like their materials.  As I obsessively listened to the tapes for 2.5 months earlier this year, I didn't find them that good.  Particularly lacking in some areas.  And I'm also convinced I found a mistake on one.  (Do not ask me to tell you where.  I don't remember because my brain is mush.) 
2. I'm not doing that badly on the MBEs now.  I think I've gotten better at making good guesses.
3. I'm still guessing because I need more time to memorize.  More time to memorize is what I could get if i don't go to PMBR. 
4. I would still use one of the weekend days to take another simulated MBE, which is what I would be doing on one of the days of PMBR.

The only thing keeping me from saying screw it is the fact that I paid money for it.  Not a small amount of money either.  But I did get some CDs, which I used and will immediately flip on ebay once I know that I have passed and the books.  The aforementioned crappy books with the lousy explanations that are sooooooo bad compared to Barbri's. 

So, what's a girl to do?

The Status of Things

Dear readers, it's time that we start being honest about something.  I've been so concerned with making my giant stacks of flashcards and the MBE that I've neglected the art of essay writing.  Two weeks from tomorrow, my ass will be writing the first day's worth of essays.  It seems that I have to get cracking on this IMMEDIATELY. 

Today, I spent the day with professional responsibility.  Since I know that we will have an essay on this, I've spent some time with it before and it was miserable.  My essay was HIDEOUS.  Today, I spent the first part of the day with the flash cards.  What on earth is the point of trying to write an essay if you don't know the damn law?  Then it sounds like you are a great big liar.  So I memorized all of those damn duties.

What a miserable and boring day.  Boring boring boring.  I got things straightened out in my wee brain and then my wee brain decided it wanted BBQ sauce.  So we went to Lucille's for a study break.  BBQ sauce was eaten.  So was a delightful dessert of banana pudding with NILLA WAFERS.  mmmmm.  Then I came home and had to face my fate.  It was time to write an essay.

Let me be candid - I was scared.  I was worried that after the entire day spent memorizing those stupid cards, I would write another piece of shit like the last time.  Fortunately, it didn't completely suck.  I spotted all of the major issues and organized them properly.  The model answer was a bit more eloquent than I was, but I'm on the right track. 

Tomorrow is Wills and Trusts.  I figure it shouldn't be a tremendous effort to memorize those rules since they weren't that unfamiliar to me in the first place.  I'm hoping to write at least two samples tomorrow night.

Hopefully this method will work.  I've got stupid PMBR this weekend and many more subjects to memorize.  My goal right now is to write as many of these essays as I can until it starts to feel natural to write like a robot.  (I mean, really, where is the parenthetical commentary on how Tom screwed Mary with his inadequate contingency fee agreement.  That's the stuff we really want to read....)

Simulated MBE

I took my home version of the simulated MBE today.  I did a tiny bitter better than they said I should expect to do.  In my own estimation, I need to choose 33 more correct answers on the real thing to have a safe passing score on that section.  It seems feasible within the limited period left.  I'm still going to review the ones that I got wrong blah blah blah.

But here's the thing.  I did time myself and I felt like I was taking my time.  It took just over 4 hours.  So, that leaves me with almost 2 hours of extra time.  I realize that I need to use this time to increase my score.  I suppose this could lead to more careful reading, but somehow, two hours worth seems like a lot.  My biggest concern is that I not make this into a repeat performance of MPRE Attempt #1.  Remember that?  Let me refresh - that's the one where I finished super early and went back and changed a bunch of answers and failed.  I don't want to do that again.

So, do I concern myself with this extra time or just say screw it and go from there?

Studying for contracts is a yawn

Tiki agrees: Studying for the bar IS boring
Originally uploaded by kittenagogo.

It's like the bar exam is making me a bigger dork. Like that's possible.

Something strange is happening

I have taken three property tests, each with increasing levels of difficulty.  My scores have all been within passing range (according to the Barbri lady's percentages).  This can be attributed to a couple of possibilities:

1. I'm finally figuring out how to guess properly on the MBE questions.  It certainly isn't coming from my knowledge of property, or;
2. They are effing with me to build my confidence and they are going to take it away tomorrow because they know I am going to the Pearl Jam concert so that I can pretend like it is 1994 and I am still going to fashion school and I would laugh in the face of anyone that said law school was on the horizon and they want me to feel guilty.

Property

Property is becoming a problem area for me.  Not the early part of the pile, which includes future interests and the RAP.  I'm fine with those.  It's the stuff that comes later in the pile, after the non-freehold estates.  I can't seem to bother with remembering after 300 or so flash cards.  That's not good because the important stuff comes after that.  Must break these up into subpiles and work from there. 

As for security interests in land, I cannot be bothered.  Not good because that means every question will involve it.  EVERY SINGLE ONE.  Must figure out how to make self care.  I know, more practices tests.  Doing poorly will make me care, right?

I feel like crap.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, America.

Fell asleep last night around 3 am after some intense stomach pains.  Woke up with a nasty headache.  Attempted to begin studying as it is Con Law review day, but headache was still bothersome.  So I cuddled with the kitty for a bit.  Reviewed.  I still feel like I am guessing at all of the Con Law questions.  I am not doing really bad, but I really don't know the stuff.  Perhaps because I can't concentrate and feel like crap.  I think I need to eat some vegetables or something.  Instead of sugar.  (Do you hear me, uterus?  Let me eat vegetables.)

Celebrating the birth of our nation means one thing to me:  Fireworks.  (I mean, and I specifically scheduled Con Law for today, America.  You know, because that's what it's all about.)  We parked on Horizon Ridge.  I'll say this for the land of legal fireworks - it's visual stimulus overload out there.  Sparkle explosions everywhere.  None were quite close enough to concentrate on.  From a distance, I saw the fireworks that I want to see up close next year.  I have a year to figure out where they were located.

I'm going to read a bit more and I'm going to attempt to sleep.  I really hope this isn't a repeat of last night.  Tomorrow is the intense property review and I'm not really looking forward to that.

I like this one so much that I'm going to retype it here

Dear readers, today was all about Torts.  I fell in love with one particular sample question, so I will retype it here for you.  Just the fact patter though because I am lazy and have more to review before going to bed.  This is the stuff of MBE gold.

Cisneros was sailing down the deep water channel to Lake Washington using the kicker on his sailboat when LeBeau roared by in his cabin cruiser at about 20 knots, nearly swamping Cisneros.  Cisneros raised his middle finger in the timesworn salute of the impotently angry and shouted a few well-chosen references to LeBeau's anatomy and ancestry.  LeBeau happened to glance back at Cisneros during the latter's tirade and, perceiving that Cisneros was being less than complimentary, swung about and pulled alongside the much smaller sailcraft.  The two skippers exchanged further hostilities centering on each other's lack of seamanship, whereupon LeBeau powered away, made a tight circle, and steamed at high speed directly at Cisnero's bow.  Cisneros was convinced that the boats would collide, so he steered close to the edge of the channel and abruptly ran aground on a shallow sandbar.  LeBeau's mocking guffaws rose above the rumble of his engine as he sailed away from the stranded but uninjured Cisneros.  [Emphasis mine.]

This Week's Game Plan

This is the weekend we are scheduled for our simulated bar and MBE.  I'm not taking it on campus, but I will be doing it on the same day at home.  So, this week is all about getting better at those topics.  I will be honest, I've deviated so far from the Barbri schedule that there is a lot of introductory stuff still to be done in a couple of subjects and then much review to be done in others. 

I've skipped a lot of crim law stuff along the way because it is crim law and I figure it is easy enough.  I'm not doing perfectly, but I'm considerably better at it than other areas.  Like, say, contracts.  With a bit more memorizing, I'll think I'll be alright here. 

Tomorrow is Torts.  I'm saving Property for the end because it is the class that I had most recently and I want to see how much I remember when there is more stuff competing for the recency brain cells. 

Other than that, everything is the same.  My brain is mush.

Physical Side Effects of Bar Prep

No one warns you about the physical effects of the bar.  Sure, you're prepared for the exhaustion, but are you really prepared for the wicked back aches and the crippling of your hand while it morphs into a lobster claw? 

I finished flashcarding (yes, it's a verb now) property.  I believe there are no less than 400 cards in the pile.  At that point, one can't help but look at the pile and say, hmmm, perhaps this isn't the best method since I don't think I can fit the pile into the lobster claw/former hand. 

I can't even discuss the mass of pain that is my back.  It's all from being stuck in this uncomfortable dining room chair for 8 hours per day.

Gripe gripe gripe.  Grumble grumble grumble.  Bar=big stupid head.

One Month

One Month
Originally uploaded by kittenagogo.

In exactly one month, the bar will be over.

Music for Studying

I'm finding that property is motivated by a different set of tunes than the other subjects.  I'm currently enjoying my "I just wanna hear a good beat" playlist.  Oh, stop begging.  I'll tell you what is on it so that you can get your study (or workout) on.

1. Good Beat - Deee-lite
2. The Way You Move - Outkast
3. Battle Flag - Lo-Fidelity All Stars
4. Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
5. Jungle Boogie - Kool & the Gang
6. Ring my bell - some disco diva
7. Rescue Me - Madonna
8. Groove is in the Heart - Deee-lite - my very favorite song ever
9. Cruel - Tori
10. Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez (I love this song and I don't care if you ridicule me)
11. Since you been gone - Kelly Clarkson
12. Little Sister - Queens of the Stone Age
13. Disco Inferno - Some more disco people
14. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes (Perhaps my favorite dance song ever)

That concludes this study break.