I had a good run of Aviation Law Exam goodness from about 5 to 9. Before that I'd eaten some surprisingly good General Tso's chicken from the heavily armored place next to Zavelle's Bookstore on Broad Street. Now, normally, I prefer to eat in, but since this place didn't have any tables, I made an exception and carry-out'd back to Klein Hall.
The Gen Tso sauce was spicy, but not too spicy, and properly peppery. It was not barbecue sauce, which seems to be a common problem here in Philly. Every other place on Temple's campus, and most of the one's I've tried on South Street, have a more barbecue flavor to their General Tso's.
Now I'm back at home, hoping to chill a bit before turning in early. I know it might seem strange (well okay, not to Bill-he's a professional) but writing as well as you can is quite exhausing. So at 8:01 PM on Monday I'm going to be extremely happy (though then I'll be fixated in a few hours on Business Immigration Law.)
Oh, and while I understand that rain is cool and all, I'd have been happier with sunshine.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
Back at the Bean Cafe
Well today I've been working on the Aviation Law exam (due n/l/t 8:00 PM Monday, May 2.)
Last night's exam went pretty well. The prof selected one straightforward, and one unpleasantly difficult, question. The multiple choice were fine-confusing but not impossible (a well-tabbed UCC and textbook helped immeasurably.)
Afterwards I had a long walk before heading to bed at about 2. Today I rested up, but the blur of activity is starting again.
Last night's exam went pretty well. The prof selected one straightforward, and one unpleasantly difficult, question. The multiple choice were fine-confusing but not impossible (a well-tabbed UCC and textbook helped immeasurably.)
Afterwards I had a long walk before heading to bed at about 2. Today I rested up, but the blur of activity is starting again.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
30 Minutes to Go
I've got 30 minutes until my first exam (and only in-class exam this semester) Payment systems. Either I shall rock hard, or rock hardly at all, but either way it'll be over soon.
I also visited the nice folks from Fin Aid and it turns out that mucho loan money is on the horizon.
So in about 10 days paying my bills won't hurt.
I also visited the nice folks from Fin Aid and it turns out that mucho loan money is on the horizon.
So in about 10 days paying my bills won't hurt.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Thoughts on the Exam Process
I've been spending the week writing out take-home exams. And it occurs to me that I really, really am better at take-homes than in-class exams. I make no predictions regarding my grades, but it really feels like I'm getting a proper chance to be thorough, without the dread of coming up with all the answers in 4 hours.
My life will be a blur until May 9th or so, when I hand in the last exam.
Oh, and tomorrow at noon I get to find out what my financing options are for summer. Yay student loan money.
My life will be a blur until May 9th or so, when I hand in the last exam.
Oh, and tomorrow at noon I get to find out what my financing options are for summer. Yay student loan money.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Last Day of Class Spring 2005
Woo-Hoo! Last night of class! More "Banking the Poor" in Payment Systems followed by dinner over at the Draught Horse. And some of the 4-Ls were celebrating, so I congratulated them.
I was also hit up by the class of '05 for a donation, which I gave 'em. Free cap and a line in the graduation program.
I was also hit up by the class of '05 for a donation, which I gave 'em. Free cap and a line in the graduation program.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Sunny, 81 Degrees
Today was the last class for Corporate Transactions. We had yet more duly diligent goodness, with a couple of hints from the Prof as to what we should expect on the exam.
Tonight will also be the last night for Business Immigration Law, which should be a blast. Tonight after class I'm going to look at the sample problems we got yesterday in Payment systems for tomorrow.
I'm feeling pretty good about the exams starting next week (although I'm not going to enjoy actually writing all this stuff.) Again, I'm going to do my best to be completely finished with school on May 10.
Tonight will also be the last night for Business Immigration Law, which should be a blast. Tonight after class I'm going to look at the sample problems we got yesterday in Payment systems for tomorrow.
I'm feeling pretty good about the exams starting next week (although I'm not going to enjoy actually writing all this stuff.) Again, I'm going to do my best to be completely finished with school on May 10.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Hanging Out at the Temple Law Bookstore
Right across the road from Klein Hall is the Law Bookstore. Here there's a nice little coffeeshop, with access to Temple's wireless network. So I get to hang out, read the New York Times (and my homework) and surf the web. On Tuesdays I only have one class, Payment Systems, and it's at 7:30, so leaving work at 4:00 I've got some time to kill.
Now, despite some effort, I'm fully aware of the parade of pulchritude wandering past the window. So if my typing should suddenly trail off, replaced by confused grunting, gentle reader you shall know why.
I guess I should admit some concern over my summer. My current plan is to work in Philly and take summer classes. But if I can find someone who wants to hire me, I'll go wherever they'll pay to have me. I wouldn't be worried, except that Penn's regs force me to work no more than 1000 hours a fiscal year, and I have less than 100 hours left between now and July 1. So I'm nervous about it.
I'm also having to think about my last two semesters of law school. I know I've got to take some more litigation courses to be a "well rounded law student" but I have zero enthusiasm for the task. Similarly, I need to take my big paper course, where I write a 30 page paper on some topic. I'm going to try to write on an international law topic, because I find it interesting, and because if I write a paper for international law, and I decide to go for a Transnational LLM I won't need to write a second paper (i.e. a two for one deal.)
Now, despite some effort, I'm fully aware of the parade of pulchritude wandering past the window. So if my typing should suddenly trail off, replaced by confused grunting, gentle reader you shall know why.
I guess I should admit some concern over my summer. My current plan is to work in Philly and take summer classes. But if I can find someone who wants to hire me, I'll go wherever they'll pay to have me. I wouldn't be worried, except that Penn's regs force me to work no more than 1000 hours a fiscal year, and I have less than 100 hours left between now and July 1. So I'm nervous about it.
I'm also having to think about my last two semesters of law school. I know I've got to take some more litigation courses to be a "well rounded law student" but I have zero enthusiasm for the task. Similarly, I need to take my big paper course, where I write a 30 page paper on some topic. I'm going to try to write on an international law topic, because I find it interesting, and because if I write a paper for international law, and I decide to go for a Transnational LLM I won't need to write a second paper (i.e. a two for one deal.)
Monday, April 18, 2005
The beginning of the end of class
This is the last week of classes for the spring term. Today was the last class for Aviation law, and the Prof gave a chance for me to speak in class (to make up for goofing up three weeks ago.) So that was good.
Today was gorgeous, absolutely warm and sunny. It felt good to be outside breathing the air.
Today was gorgeous, absolutely warm and sunny. It felt good to be outside breathing the air.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
More about the EU
The European Union spent years working on a new constitution. The constitution was intended to address a number of problems with the current treaties, including a mind-numbing opacity.
If you haven't looked at the US Constitution in a while, you may have forgotten that it is short. Really short. Now, on the one hand, this can be a problem. Often the Constitution will have a suggestive phrase, and leave the rest of the work of interpreting it as an exercise for the reader.
For instance, the Commander-in-Chief clause. "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States" Article II, Sec. 2. We've been arguing 200 years over what, exactly, the limits of the President's powers as Commander in Chief are. If the constitution had come with with a "definitions" section life could be much easier.
As an aside, I am reminded of last weeks Corporate Transactions class. The Prof was explaining that in a merger of private companies, his usual preference was to avoid creating a formal "Letter of Intent" instead using mutual term sheets to keep track of the bargaining parties positions. As he explained it, the risk with a Letter of Intent is that, in jumping in to negotiate Letter of Intent, the lawyers may scuttle the deal by killing its momentum. The lawyers, and principals, have a risk of butting heads on problems that don't have solutions at that part of the discussion. And, by spending too much time negotiating the details of the deal up front, the window of opportunity for the deal may be lost altogether.
The men who wrote the US Constitution were brilliant, but also pragmatic. Instead of bogging themselves in myriad details, they wrote a sharp, focused constitution and recognized much would have to be agreed upon later or resolved through the political process. The Europeans, however, seem to have been overcome by the desire to do everything at once, and so have birthed a document of monstrous size (the version here, including a couple of protocols, clocks in at 485 pages.)
Now, in some sense it's unfair to blame the Europeans, because the constitution is also an attempt to consolidate all of the piecemeal treaties into one. It would almost be as if you had to include a compendium of the current Supreme Court jurisprudence (cases, analysis, and decisions) along with the text of the Constitution, which I'm sure could easily beat a measely 500 pages.
But to recognize the difficulty of a thing is not to deny the possibility of doing it well. The process the Europeans used was fine. It is the end result that mocks the good intentions. They sought to increase the democratic accountability of the EU through making its ruling treaties comprehensible, but they only managed to demonstrate how incomprehensible the whole enterprise has become.
The European Constitution comes into effect after all of the member countries have ratified it. On May 29 the French will decide. (See the interactive "State of Play" map here.)
I hope the Constition is defeated, and that after the defeat the focus of effort will be on integrating the newly admitted countries of central and eastern europe. But for now it's a fun time for a Europe watcher.
If you haven't looked at the US Constitution in a while, you may have forgotten that it is short. Really short. Now, on the one hand, this can be a problem. Often the Constitution will have a suggestive phrase, and leave the rest of the work of interpreting it as an exercise for the reader.
For instance, the Commander-in-Chief clause. "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States" Article II, Sec. 2. We've been arguing 200 years over what, exactly, the limits of the President's powers as Commander in Chief are. If the constitution had come with with a "definitions" section life could be much easier.
As an aside, I am reminded of last weeks Corporate Transactions class. The Prof was explaining that in a merger of private companies, his usual preference was to avoid creating a formal "Letter of Intent" instead using mutual term sheets to keep track of the bargaining parties positions. As he explained it, the risk with a Letter of Intent is that, in jumping in to negotiate Letter of Intent, the lawyers may scuttle the deal by killing its momentum. The lawyers, and principals, have a risk of butting heads on problems that don't have solutions at that part of the discussion. And, by spending too much time negotiating the details of the deal up front, the window of opportunity for the deal may be lost altogether.
The men who wrote the US Constitution were brilliant, but also pragmatic. Instead of bogging themselves in myriad details, they wrote a sharp, focused constitution and recognized much would have to be agreed upon later or resolved through the political process. The Europeans, however, seem to have been overcome by the desire to do everything at once, and so have birthed a document of monstrous size (the version here, including a couple of protocols, clocks in at 485 pages.)
Now, in some sense it's unfair to blame the Europeans, because the constitution is also an attempt to consolidate all of the piecemeal treaties into one. It would almost be as if you had to include a compendium of the current Supreme Court jurisprudence (cases, analysis, and decisions) along with the text of the Constitution, which I'm sure could easily beat a measely 500 pages.
But to recognize the difficulty of a thing is not to deny the possibility of doing it well. The process the Europeans used was fine. It is the end result that mocks the good intentions. They sought to increase the democratic accountability of the EU through making its ruling treaties comprehensible, but they only managed to demonstrate how incomprehensible the whole enterprise has become.
The European Constitution comes into effect after all of the member countries have ratified it. On May 29 the French will decide. (See the interactive "State of Play" map here.)
I hope the Constition is defeated, and that after the defeat the focus of effort will be on integrating the newly admitted countries of central and eastern europe. But for now it's a fun time for a Europe watcher.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Federalist Society Student Symposium Recap
Woo-hoo! They've got the video up (thanks for the pointer from The Volokh Conspiracy).
I was there, and it was an incredibly fun symposium.
I was there, and it was an incredibly fun symposium.
Fun History
Esquire goofed last year in publishing a book including an essay of Gore Vidal's libelous attacks on William F. Buckley, Jr.
I just took the pleasure of reading the PDF of Buckley's response, and it's a beauty.
I just took the pleasure of reading the PDF of Buckley's response, and it's a beauty.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Super Fares
Southwest Airlines is now running a special $29 dollar Philly to Pittsburgh fare.
Now if only I had $58!
And a good reason to visit Pittsburgh.
Now if only I had $58!
And a good reason to visit Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
The Thrill of Due Diligence
I got out of Corporate Transactions at 6, and grabbed a quick snack at the 7-11. Today we discussed corporate due diligence, after examining some example documents.
Getting to do due diligence would rock!
I'm serious! You get to do a sort of X-Ray on a living corporate patient. You could see how everything is connected.
From the initial articles of incorporation, to the day-to-day operation of the firm. Think of all of the lives, and loves, bound up in an enterprise of even a small size.
The smallest mom-and-pop company is somebody's baby. It might be raking in the dough, or barely making payroll. And, of course, every successful company will have friendly enemies out to undercut your every bid.
And, if they're asking you to do due diligence, that means there's a deal lurking in the background. Someone is looking to shake things up.
What a blast!
Anyway, now I'm hanging out at the Dunkin' Donuts, enjoying a large coffee and a krueller. Mmm, kruller.
Getting to do due diligence would rock!
I'm serious! You get to do a sort of X-Ray on a living corporate patient. You could see how everything is connected.
From the initial articles of incorporation, to the day-to-day operation of the firm. Think of all of the lives, and loves, bound up in an enterprise of even a small size.
The smallest mom-and-pop company is somebody's baby. It might be raking in the dough, or barely making payroll. And, of course, every successful company will have friendly enemies out to undercut your every bid.
And, if they're asking you to do due diligence, that means there's a deal lurking in the background. Someone is looking to shake things up.
What a blast!
Anyway, now I'm hanging out at the Dunkin' Donuts, enjoying a large coffee and a krueller. Mmm, kruller.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Intermezzo Cafe
Right now, I'm sitting at the Intermezzo Cafe, on Walnut Street. The cool thing about it is that they have a free wireless connection, which means I can email my Payment Systems homework to the professor from here.
About Payment Systems. We're finishing up guarantees, and will be looking at banking the poor next. Many people know that I don't really think that highly of banks. Citizens's Bank, for example, will happily pyramid charges on overdrafts, in addition to using "biggest withdrawal first" rules that ensure you get nicked for as many NSF charges as possible. Now, you might claim that it's my own fault for failing to have enough money in the account, and that's true. But since it's a complete crapshoot as to when deposits will clear and become available or when payments will actually be processed, I lack any sympathy for the bank. And, the charges and fees the bank levies, directly from my account, are completely disconnected from their costs for processing. A typical check overdraft costs a bank about oh, maybe 10 dollars to process. They will neg your bank account $30. That's $20 dollars of pure happy profit for shareholders.
About Payment Systems. We're finishing up guarantees, and will be looking at banking the poor next. Many people know that I don't really think that highly of banks. Citizens's Bank, for example, will happily pyramid charges on overdrafts, in addition to using "biggest withdrawal first" rules that ensure you get nicked for as many NSF charges as possible. Now, you might claim that it's my own fault for failing to have enough money in the account, and that's true. But since it's a complete crapshoot as to when deposits will clear and become available or when payments will actually be processed, I lack any sympathy for the bank. And, the charges and fees the bank levies, directly from my account, are completely disconnected from their costs for processing. A typical check overdraft costs a bank about oh, maybe 10 dollars to process. They will neg your bank account $30. That's $20 dollars of pure happy profit for shareholders.
Regression Analysis and Baby Names
I know I really like my name, although I don't think it's ever managed to open any doors for me.
Still, Slate has a neat excerpt from a book examining if names are destiny.
Turns out that the answer is no.
Still, Slate has a neat excerpt from a book examining if names are destiny.
Turns out that the answer is no.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Things to be proud of...
From ZDNet:
Sure, getting to the root of Russia's problems may be an item of academic interest, but at least there's something they do fantastically well.
Sure, getting to the root of Russia's problems may be an item of academic interest, but at least there's something they do fantastically well.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Bet this never happens to donuts
From MSNBC:
Surplus low-carb foods shipped to foodbanks
Truckloads of Atkins bars,diet shakes sent to charities
Ken Slone stands in the Christian Appalachian Project warehouse stocked with low-carb diet food near Paintsville, Ky., on March 30. Since September, the charity has received 14 truckloads of food from Atkins nutritionist, the New York company famous for the low-carb diet. Slone said each truck load contained about 1,300 cases of energy bars, shakes and breakfast mixes that are being distributed to churches and other organizations that minister to the needy.
Surplus low-carb foods shipped to foodbanks
Truckloads of Atkins bars,diet shakes sent to charities
Ken Slone stands in the Christian Appalachian Project warehouse stocked with low-carb diet food near Paintsville, Ky., on March 30. Since September, the charity has received 14 truckloads of food from Atkins nutritionist, the New York company famous for the low-carb diet. Slone said each truck load contained about 1,300 cases of energy bars, shakes and breakfast mixes that are being distributed to churches and other organizations that minister to the needy.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Parliamentarians
A couple of weeks ago, I was representing at the Student Bar Association. Because a controversial issue was on the agenda, I wanted to make sure that I boned up on parliamentary procedure. I hadn't realized it, but in my research I came across an entire professional body of parliamentarians. And if you are willing to pay, they will happily assist you in running your meetings.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The New Phone
The new cell phone arrived today from T-Mobile. I popped in the sim card from my old phone, and sure enough it woke up and turned on. This phone is lighter, and feels more like a toy than my old phone. I also will have to do some work later tonight to move all of my saved phone numbers from the V60 to this one. The diplay is, as advertised, in color. And looks pretty sharp. Similarly, unlike the old phone, this one will play whole chords (music clips.) I think I'll stick with the T-Mobile chime. I just hope this doesn't mean that the battery will die more quickly.
More Learning
This is more like it. Today was spring. Plants are starting to bloom, the sun was downright warming, it’s 6:30 PM and there’s plenty of sun left.
A day so great I audibly cheered when I walked out the door.
Enjoying the weather, I walked from my apartment to Broad and South, rather than to the subway stop at Ellsworth Federal. I took the subway up to Temple, and went to Corporate Transactions. Today we discussed how one company buys another, and some of the forms we'd have to consider or prepare as a lawyer on such a deal.
I have an hour to kill until my next class, and so I wander around campus a bit. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm at the Dunkin Donuts on Liacouras Walk.
Now I should point out that, despite my advanced age and wholesome character, I am not altogether unmindful of the changes in the couture modeled by the distaff student body. And thus, on occasions such as this, I am reminded of one of the fine peripheral benefits to remaining in an academic environment.
Oh well. Time to learn more immigration goodness.
A day so great I audibly cheered when I walked out the door.
Enjoying the weather, I walked from my apartment to Broad and South, rather than to the subway stop at Ellsworth Federal. I took the subway up to Temple, and went to Corporate Transactions. Today we discussed how one company buys another, and some of the forms we'd have to consider or prepare as a lawyer on such a deal.
I have an hour to kill until my next class, and so I wander around campus a bit. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm at the Dunkin Donuts on Liacouras Walk.
Now I should point out that, despite my advanced age and wholesome character, I am not altogether unmindful of the changes in the couture modeled by the distaff student body. And thus, on occasions such as this, I am reminded of one of the fine peripheral benefits to remaining in an academic environment.
Oh well. Time to learn more immigration goodness.
Commuter Amnesia
Today, after I left work I took the trolley and subway up to Temple. I began reading the Payment Systems book on the trolley.
Many commuters will be familiar with the experience of realizing they are somewhere with no conscious knowlege of how they got there.
It happened to me today, and was freaky. Suddenly I was just standing at the City Hall, wondering how I got there. But on the plus side, I'd had a couple of fun insights into surety law.
Many commuters will be familiar with the experience of realizing they are somewhere with no conscious knowlege of how they got there.
It happened to me today, and was freaky. Suddenly I was just standing at the City Hall, wondering how I got there. But on the plus side, I'd had a couple of fun insights into surety law.
Second Spring Day
It makes me cry when people ask me:
"Which IPod should I get?"
Right now, your choices are:
Ipod Shuffle 512 MB or 1 GB
Ipod Mini 4 GB (Silver, Pink, Blue, Green)
Or Ipod Mini 6 GB (Silver, Pink, Blue, Green)
Ipod 20 GB (The Iconic White Ipod)
Ipod U2 Special Edition (The only black Ipod)
Ipod Photo (30 GB or 60 GB)
The current Ipods all connect to Macs and PCs, preferably using ITunes as the music manager. All of the current units are designed to work with USB 2.0, which is common on any computer made in the last three years. On the PC side, they really want you to be running Windows XP (Home or Professional edition) or Windows 2000. They also have adapters available to connect using firewire, which is common on Macs, and fairly rare on PCs.
And, at any time, something may be out of stock, which adds an additional level of complexity. Will you take a blue 6GB ipod mini today, despite the fact that you really want a silver 4GB mini?
When I have enough time, I don't mind walking through all the details, but today was busy, and it seemed like a constant stream of folks having trouble figuring out what they wanted.
"Which IPod should I get?"
Right now, your choices are:
Ipod Shuffle 512 MB or 1 GB
Ipod Mini 4 GB (Silver, Pink, Blue, Green)
Or Ipod Mini 6 GB (Silver, Pink, Blue, Green)
Ipod 20 GB (The Iconic White Ipod)
Ipod U2 Special Edition (The only black Ipod)
Ipod Photo (30 GB or 60 GB)
The current Ipods all connect to Macs and PCs, preferably using ITunes as the music manager. All of the current units are designed to work with USB 2.0, which is common on any computer made in the last three years. On the PC side, they really want you to be running Windows XP (Home or Professional edition) or Windows 2000. They also have adapters available to connect using firewire, which is common on Macs, and fairly rare on PCs.
And, at any time, something may be out of stock, which adds an additional level of complexity. Will you take a blue 6GB ipod mini today, despite the fact that you really want a silver 4GB mini?
When I have enough time, I don't mind walking through all the details, but today was busy, and it seemed like a constant stream of folks having trouble figuring out what they wanted.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Important Literary News
Finally, a flash dramatization of To Kill A Mockingbird that includes the heretofore overlooked pirates and ninjas. (Thanks NR.)
Snack Cake News
If you wind up in my company for long, you'll discover I'm a great fan of Little Debbie Snack Cakes including the fantastic swiss cake rolls. So I always feel a little dirty cheating on Little Debbie with the regional product, Tastykakes.
But the other day I decided to pick up the Tastykake "Bunny Treats." Very yummy going down, but so sugary that it leaves an aftertaste in my mouth.
But the other day I decided to pick up the Tastykake "Bunny Treats." Very yummy going down, but so sugary that it leaves an aftertaste in my mouth.
Monday, April 04, 2005
A Law Student's Nightmare Come True
Last week I missed Aviation Law. Since he's been having witnesses come in for a case he's working on, the lectures have mostly focused on him doing the trial lawyer thing in front of them.
As it turns out, I must have missed something critically important, because this week he had people doing voir dire as if we were doing the case.
And I was supposed to be one of the people doing it!
Now, up to this point in law school, I have studiously avoided anything having to do with trial work. I've not taken Evidence, I don't know about the FRCP, and I have no idea what I am, and am not, permitted to do or say in front of a witness (direct or cross.)
All of this is consistent with my long-standing desire to be an international transactional attorney. In transactional work, the goal is to never go to court. If somehow I should write something that gets litigated, I'd happily hand it over to a lititgator, and let them figure out what to do with it.
So I spoke to him after class (which I when I learned I'd been signed up for today) and he'll figure out what to do with me. Although this part of the class isn't graded, your worst nightmare as a law student is to show up unprepared. And I was not only unprepared, I was completely sideswiped. I still have no idea what I'll be doing.
So that was mighty unpleasant.
Afterwards, we had a special guest lecturer in Immigration Law, and were expressly directed not to take notes. She's the Prof's wife, and is a Tax lawyer, who loves the intricacies of the IRC. So we learned some cool basic stuff about how the IRS treats the taxes for earnings of non-citizens.
And then I went to the Draught Horse and had buffalo chicken strips and fries. Tasty.
As it turns out, I must have missed something critically important, because this week he had people doing voir dire as if we were doing the case.
And I was supposed to be one of the people doing it!
Now, up to this point in law school, I have studiously avoided anything having to do with trial work. I've not taken Evidence, I don't know about the FRCP, and I have no idea what I am, and am not, permitted to do or say in front of a witness (direct or cross.)
All of this is consistent with my long-standing desire to be an international transactional attorney. In transactional work, the goal is to never go to court. If somehow I should write something that gets litigated, I'd happily hand it over to a lititgator, and let them figure out what to do with it.
So I spoke to him after class (which I when I learned I'd been signed up for today) and he'll figure out what to do with me. Although this part of the class isn't graded, your worst nightmare as a law student is to show up unprepared. And I was not only unprepared, I was completely sideswiped. I still have no idea what I'll be doing.
So that was mighty unpleasant.
Afterwards, we had a special guest lecturer in Immigration Law, and were expressly directed not to take notes. She's the Prof's wife, and is a Tax lawyer, who loves the intricacies of the IRC. So we learned some cool basic stuff about how the IRS treats the taxes for earnings of non-citizens.
And then I went to the Draught Horse and had buffalo chicken strips and fries. Tasty.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Gratitude is in Order
Robot Chicken makes the world better.
So does the on-line version of Hugo Grotius "On the Law of War and Peace."
So does the on-line version of Hugo Grotius "On the Law of War and Peace."
Springing Forward
Now it'll be lighter, later. I approve.
Further, I had a nice chat tonight with the folks from T-Mobile. Apparently my cell-phone, a Motorola V60, will not properly receive text messages alerting me that I have voice mail when T-Mobile makes some changes to their voice mail system. Since this would be a problem (not knowing that someone's left me a message) they're letting customers know and offering them either a free phone or discounts on other phones.
Now, the Motorola V60 is mercifully free of bells and whistles. It has fantastic battery life (7 days on standby, 5+ hours of talk on a full charge) and good sound quality. And I even liked the styling, in a retro-toaster kind of way. For being 26 months old, I'm impressed by its performance using the the factory battery.
So, the replacement? Later this week I should get a Motorola V180 in the mail. Also a flip-style, CNET suggests that this too should be a fine workhorse cell phone. I'm looking forward to getting it.
Further, I had a nice chat tonight with the folks from T-Mobile. Apparently my cell-phone, a Motorola V60, will not properly receive text messages alerting me that I have voice mail when T-Mobile makes some changes to their voice mail system. Since this would be a problem (not knowing that someone's left me a message) they're letting customers know and offering them either a free phone or discounts on other phones.
Now, the Motorola V60 is mercifully free of bells and whistles. It has fantastic battery life (7 days on standby, 5+ hours of talk on a full charge) and good sound quality. And I even liked the styling, in a retro-toaster kind of way. For being 26 months old, I'm impressed by its performance using the the factory battery.
So, the replacement? Later this week I should get a Motorola V180 in the mail. Also a flip-style, CNET suggests that this too should be a fine workhorse cell phone. I'm looking forward to getting it.
Weather That's So Wrong
Spring has been very slow in coming here to Philadelphia. Today, we had thunder with heavy rains all day, and looking out the window of the The Bean Cafe it's wet but not actively raining for the moment.
And I was thinking that was pretty bad as I gazed at the weather forecast, but then I noticed that it was SNOWING in Pittsburgh.
So, at least our daffodils won't be frozen in place.
I'm here working on Corporate Transactions (with Ellers). For the moment my Restatement of Notes is proceeding slowly because I have no idea what'll be helpful when we get the exam (this class has a 72 hour take-home exam.) Still, there is lots of neat stuff to remember for this class.
And I was thinking that was pretty bad as I gazed at the weather forecast, but then I noticed that it was SNOWING in Pittsburgh.
So, at least our daffodils won't be frozen in place.
I'm here working on Corporate Transactions (with Ellers). For the moment my Restatement of Notes is proceeding slowly because I have no idea what'll be helpful when we get the exam (this class has a 72 hour take-home exam.) Still, there is lots of neat stuff to remember for this class.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
GeoURL and Me
Down at the bottom of this web page is a little blue box called GeoURL. If you click on it, you'll see other web pages that represent physical locations that are near me.
This is cool! Although the location independent nature of the web has many upsides (for example, I can read Der Spiegel as easily as Time Magazine) sometimes you really would like to read about things going on in your neighborhood.
Since GeoURL becomes more useful as more people use it, please consider adding some code to your web page, and following these instructions.
This is cool! Although the location independent nature of the web has many upsides (for example, I can read Der Spiegel as easily as Time Magazine) sometimes you really would like to read about things going on in your neighborhood.
Since GeoURL becomes more useful as more people use it, please consider adding some code to your web page, and following these instructions.
Sad News from Rome
CNN is now reporting that Pope John Paul II has died.
Though I am not a Catholic, I too grieve for the loss of a wonderful man from this world. He was a liberator, who refused to concede an inch of humanity to the false gods of totalitarianism. Likewise, in the free world, he bore witness against the idolotry of personal autonomy.
He began his office proclaiming "Be not afraid!" It seems a fine thing to remember today.
Though I am not a Catholic, I too grieve for the loss of a wonderful man from this world. He was a liberator, who refused to concede an inch of humanity to the false gods of totalitarianism. Likewise, in the free world, he bore witness against the idolotry of personal autonomy.
He began his office proclaiming "Be not afraid!" It seems a fine thing to remember today.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Sandy Berger Guilty Plea
Chalk it up to another episode of smart people making bad choices. Note to self: sticking things from the National Archives into my pants is bad.
The Struggle for Europe
While I was an undergrad at Pitt I had the opportunity to learn about the European Union, and so I read with interest this article at Tech Central Station. Once I figured out what the EU is, and what it purports to do, I have to admit that I've gotten rather skeptical about its long-term chances for success. But best of luck to them.
Television
My rock 'n roll lifestyle doesn't often permit me time to watch early evening television. But tonight the Prof is out presenting a paper, and we get to chill. So I'm at home, watching "The Aprentice" instead of learning about Payment Systems.
Now, Payment Systems is as fun as anything involving negotiable instruments can be, but this Trump's show is pretty cool.
On the other hand, I'm also being subjected to ads for "Behind the Camera: Mork & Mindy." Which really only makes me want to find out what Mearth is up to.
Now, Payment Systems is as fun as anything involving negotiable instruments can be, but this Trump's show is pretty cool.
On the other hand, I'm also being subjected to ads for "Behind the Camera: Mork & Mindy." Which really only makes me want to find out what Mearth is up to.
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