I hate Travel

Don't get me wrong. I like being in other places. Especially when those other places are not "school." It's just the getting there that bothers me. Where are my promised flying cars or teleportation? This is the 21st century! The aughts, G-dammit! As an illustration:

First, we wanted to leave Boston for Mississippi. But, we were traveling with Spencer (world's cutest puggle for those not in the know), which meant that we couldn't travel if it was below 20º outside. At 8AM on Day 1, it was 18º -- so we had to wait for a later flight . . . which ended up being canceled. Day 2. Back to Logan airport. Very little hitches, so we made it to Mississippi in time to see people getting hitched. All is well. But, when leaving Mississippi, my first flight was canceled; thank you, weather. Luckily, I was able to be rebooked on another flight -- the following day at 6AM. So, upon waking at 4:30 AM, unable to find my pea coat (a necessity in Wisconsin and winter fashion circles), I get to the airport. Where I found out that my flight was delayed two hours. Leaving me only a half hour layover in Dallas. I asked the ticket agent whether I could rebook, but she was not helpful -- par for the course on my winter travel plans. Apparently, I could theoretically make it to my flight on time, so they would not reschedule me. So, I get on my plane, and it departs (somewhat late), but we get to Dallas 25 minutes before my next flight. Well, I can totally make it to another terminal in that time. What's that? There's another plane in our gate so we have to wait on the runway? Well, there goes that plan. After rushing to catch my 10:15 plane and arriving at the gate at 10:17, I am informed by another helpful agent that I have been confirmed on the next flight: at 5:15 PM. I ain't spending 7 hours in Dallas. Luckily, I have a very loving and possibly foolish mother, and when I called her, she offered to pick me up in Chicago. So, I book a 10:55 flight for Chicago. It leaves pretty much on time. Sure, I'm in the back, but I'm paired with a nice young woman from Texas who offers me extra Kleenex (did I mention that I have a cold to top it off?). My mom and sister are waiting at baggage claim, and our Christmas Eve is saved!

Except for the part where they lost my luggage, which had all of my clothes and product, not to mention Christmas presents, and it didn't arrive until the night of the 26th. Thanks a lot, American Eagle.

Musings from the Library:

Since finals are rapidly approaching, I've been spending quite a bit of time in the library. Which started me thinking, which is always dangerous -- especially when I'm trying to learn. What good are libraries qua libraries these days?

With online research, we hardly use the library any more. If we moved all of our books to the Harvard Depository, we could just request them and have them shipped to us. Just look online, and in a few clicks, your book will be delivered. What good is the library any more? It appears to be a large study hall: it provides you with large tables for group study if you so desire, or individual carrels for some privacy. You can make copies. You can print from a computer! So let's just get rid of these books and free up more space for carrels or long tables.

As I see it, this mind set is precisely the problem with libraries. The conversion into a study hall has diminished if not killed the respect for these hallowed halls. People don't have their cell phones on "silent" -- some even answer them! People put their feet up on the desks. Some stand in the stairwell, talking. Talking! What happened to hushed tones? What happened to the fear of the spinster librarian? Or, better yet, the Hot Librarian?* So maybe the library as bastion of research is obsolete. But it needs to retain the trappings in order to command the respect that it deserves (and thus promote efficient studying by its denizens). Maybe that's the only way to get people to shut up, stop eating, and start brushing their teeth at home.

*"Nice stacks"

US Airways: Bane of My Existence

So, it's finally time to leave the South for Milwaukee. We're taking the bridal couple to the airport with us so they can leave on their honeymoon to Europe (awww, how cute). Perhaps we shouldn't have stopped at Sonic first, but who doesn't love it? Running slightly behind, we made it to the Memphis airport. We get on the flight and make it to the Charlotte airport. Now begins the hell.

My flight was canceled. Why? Technical difficulties? Weather? No. "Air Traffic." Apparently, this is a condition where the FAA says the airline has to cancel a flight, and guess what? The airline isn't liable! How convenient! When asked, the airline personnel explained it to me as this: "There are too many planes in the air." Hmmmm.... sure. So, can they get me on the next flight? Well, of course, everything is overbooked to Milwaukee until the next day, which is when I start work! Well, that's just super. But, they were so nice, they offered to fly me into Chicago, arriving at 9PM. But they offered me nothing more than that. Not a connecting shuttle, or anything. Apparently, that's as far as they had to help me. It's really the fact that they were so willing to go the extra mile. That's what makes "US Airways" so special. So, I get on the plane, make it to Chicago, then get on a bus into Milwaukee (on my own dime) just fine, right? Well, no. Of course, the plane is delayed over an hour. This puts me in Chicago waiting at the baggage claim until past 10PM, when the last shuttle for Milwaukee has already left. Oh, but that's not enough. My bag didn't even arrive! So, I go to the luggage counter, and asked for their help. The lady behind the counter informed me that my bag was probably sent to Milwaukee, since that was the original destination. Then she tried making some calls, but realized that everything had already left. So, she turned to the two men (father and son) next to me, and asked them if they were going to Milwaukee. They said yes, and she asked how. They said they were driving. "Oh, well this young man [me] needs to get there. Would you be able to take them?" Well, if that isn't just awkward! Well, luckily, the first helpful people that I had met all day happened to be citizens of the great state of Wisconsin, who offered to give me a ride into Milwaukee. I was desperate, so I took it. They seemed nice enough, and judging by their car, they were upper-middle class at least, so I wasn't too afraid to ride the hour with them. The important thing is that I was there safe and sound. Just without a lot of my dress clothes, dress shoes, or toiletries. So, I was ready to start work the next day!

I had everything planned so wonderfully for my first day of work. The plan definitely did not include me shaving with Julie's extra Lady Bic disposable razor and "Melon Madness" shaving gel, without me washing my hair, since I had no product to put in it! But, luckily I still had my suits in the garment bag which I had carried on my flights. So, on my first day I was still able to wear a suit and tie. And a bitter, bitter hatred towards US Airways.

When I'm Postmaster General . . .

So, I get a letter from Mother (no, this one was not on Hello Kitty! stationery for some reason), informing me that new stamp rates are taking effect on May 14. WTF? Didn't we just raise the price to 39¢ a year ago ? Why yes, yes we did. Now, I need to use up these stamps I have, or purchase a bunch of 2¢ stamps, like I'm some kind of philatelist? (Yeah, that's right. Look it up.)

So here's the deal. One day, when I become Postmaster General, much like my good friend, Samuel Osgood (above), I will vow to have longer gaps between postage hikes. And none of this 2¢ hiking, either. If they're going to nickel and dime us to death, they might as well have the moxy to nickel and dime us, literally. That way, if they want, they can increase the rate by a dime every 5 years (or however else to make it economically feasible). This current rate is just ridiculous. Who is with me in the Revolution? As an added bonus, I would like to reinstate the Pony Express. Basically, it would just be me on a pony. His name is Patches.

Now, don't get me started on when I become Treasurer of the United States. Your days are numbered, Pennies. Worthless little bastards.

This is what's wrong with law students.





So, I'm in the library on a Saturday afternoon, working diligently on a paper (ha!). As I go to the bathroom, I am struck to find a man brushing his teeth at the sink. Seriously? That's not right. For one, oral hygiene belongs in certain places. The library bathroom is not one of them. Of course, on the other end of the hygiene-spectrum (infrahygiene, if you will), you have individuals who don't wash their hands in the bathroom. Come on! But that's another rant for another day.

If you need to brush your teeth in the library, something is wrong. For your own sake, get the hell out of Langdell. Go home. It's bad enough that it's a gorgeous day, without a cloud in the sky, and it's finally broken 60º. Now, I have all these questions in my head, distracting me from my work. My very important work. Are you telling me you spend so much time in the library that you brought toothbrush and toothpaste? Was this a one-time thing, or does this person always take an oral hygiene kit to the library? Every day? I mean, it was in the middle of the afternoon, when most people don't brush their teeth. Does this guy have OCD about brushing his teeth, or is he just a regular weirdo? Does he know that by overbrushing he can damage his gums? Which can lead to heart problems. Trust me on this one.

* * *

Later, as I saw this individual talking to some of his friends in the library, I heard him speaking French. That explains it. F-ing LLM's.

I Want My 75 Cents Back
(And other rants involving my return to law school)

1. So, I'm attempting to purchase a Diet Coke during our break in the middle of Contracts. It's about 4:00, and I'm needing some caffeine to get through the remainder of class. Now, I don't remember having to pay $1.25 for my bottles of coke last semester, but I could be mistaken. Regardless, as I put my dollar in to purchase the $0.75 can of coke, I am informed that it is sold out. So do I get my dollar back? No. The machine gives me two dimes and a nickel. Bastard. I just lost money. And I still have no caffeine intake. Furthermore, I begin thinking: in the contract between me and the coke machine, what would the damages be under expectancy, reliance, and restitution? Then I began to hate myself for seriously considering that. Yep, I'm back in law school.

2. Ok, I don't consider myself the most "patient" of people in the world, but when I want, I think I can be very nice, filled with social grace, tact, and politesse. Well, I foresee myself cracking at some point this semester. I do love my section, but I'm not going to lie, there are some people who just get on my nerves. Hey, it happens when you spend every day of the week with these people. Perhaps I had hoped that the annoying little habits that certain people have would have disappeared. I don't know, maybe in the desire to improve oneself, New Year's resolutions would have been made. Namely: "I resolve not to annoy Andrew." Ok, I'm not the center of the universe, even though I may act like it. But it's not just me. Without naming names, I'm thinking of certain people with habits that distract and annoy everyone around them, and potentially the entire class. So, as I'm thinking about this, I realize I'm going to take this opportunity of the new semester and try and be as considerate towards others and as unannoying as possible, thereby setting an example. I encourage everyone else to do the same. Because you never know when your neighbor is going to snap and just bitch-slap you. The bell tolls for thee.

3. Motivation. That's what I need. The system of three-weeks off, exams, a week and a half off, then return, with electives starting in another week has just messed me up. I need my groove. I work with routine. Structure, stability, comfort: these are values to me. And until I attain them, I don't really feel as though I'm back yet. I'm not really "in it" or mentally prepared. It was much easier in college, what with "Syllabus Week" and all. Sigh. Now, I'm supposed to be ready, prepared, and intelligent from Day One? We'll see how well that goes. Especially since I know I'm on deck for Contracts today. I think I understand the material, but I'm just hoping it doesn't all leave my mind when Prof. Coates calls on me.

4. The future. It's all any of us can seem to talk about or think about. Whether it's our personal or professional lives, this is it. It's now really hit me that I need to start thinking about the future. Of course, I did this to an extent before, but now it needs to be in earnest. I'm not saying I feel the need to plan out the rest of my life, but I really do need to think where I actually want to end up post-graduation. This comes into play when I'm considering taking the offer from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Madison, as I keep debating for and against returning to Wisconsin for the summer. Part of the problem is that I'm not worried about making "the wrong" choice (since I don't think there's such a thing) as much as I'm worried about what is "the best" choice for me. This, of course, assumes that such a thing exists. Sigh. Because that always comes so easily to me!

5. Oh right, did I mention I have found 3 grey hairs since coming to law school. Start playing "Push It" (Note the Salt-N-Pepa reference).