FRIDAY'S FEAST - JUNE 30, 2006

ON TIME woot!

Woohoo! One Hundred Feasts!

Appetizer
On average, approximately how many times per day do you yawn?
Rarely, I've never kept track.

Soup
What was your most memorable school field trip?
Seeing CATS in NYC.

Salad
Fill in the blank: I was extremely __________________ this week.
sad

Main Course
Which color do you think of when you hear the word "soothing"?
blue

Dessert
What is something that, if you had to, you could save up the money to buy within one month?

umm nothing since I am unemployed, even the temp jobs and the in between jobs pay so little that about 90% of my check goes to bills and the rest is eaten up by gas. Nope, no saving at the moment. Hopefully soon.

BAR BRI NATIONWIDE CLASS CERTIFIED

Remember, way back when BarBri was accused of anti-trust violations? Well, a nationwide class has finally been certified for anyone who paid for a course from August 1997 to the present.

For background info (including a link to the original complaint) see my previous posts HERE, HERE and HERE. I do enjoy a good class action suit, especially when I might reap some benefit. A note to counsel for the plaintiffs; we'd like more than an apology and a promise never to do it again. Given today's job market for attorneys, we'd like cold. hard. cash. Thanks.

H/T to Blond Justice for alerting me to this new development. I had all but given up hope.

EMPLOYMENT FRUSTRATION ANYONE?

Apparently joining in my job search angst is Fresh Pepper. It's short, just go look. I know I got a laugh.

FRIDAY'S FEAST - JUNE 23, 2006

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you like your job?
I, sadly, don't have one at the moment. Don't get me started.

Soup
When was the last time you think you were lied to?
Today, yesterday and almost every day I get those rejection letters from law firms, "you have impressive credentials, however ..." If I was that impressive someone would have hired me by now.

Salad
Share some lyrics from own of your favorite songs.

Excerpt from Something More by Sugarland

Monday, hard to wake up
Fill my coffee cup, I'm out the door
Yeah, the freeway's standing still today
It's gonna make me late, and thats for sure
I'm running out of gas and out of time
Never gonna make it there by nine

[Chorus:]
There's gotta be something more
Gotta be more than this
I need a little less hard time
I need a little more bliss
I'm gonna take my chances
Taking a chance I might
Find what I'm looking for
There's gotta be something more

Main Course
What do you do/take when you are in pain?
Physical pain three advil, mental pain ice cream

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: My __________ is very _________.
My life is very off-track.

THAT'S THE TRUTH!

THIS is my life! I don't know whether to be elated that it's finally out there in a general forum, or deeply depressed that it pushed the cold, hard truth right in my face. *sigh*

H/T to Russ & Mike over at Barely Legal: The Blog.

HOPEFULLY NOT COMING TO A STARBUCKS NEAR YOU

THIS is only for the serious insane coffee drinkers in the group.

"Yea, give me a venti light and sweet, dark roast please. Oh, and could you run it through a marsupial's digestive track first? It gives it that special flavor, thanks."

Courtesy of Boing Boing.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN THE IDIOT BOX

For some odd reason I've decided I want to make a CD of theme songs from law shows. Maybe it will be inspirational, maybe not. I haven't really figured that out yet. In any event I need help with the list. The proliferation of law shows means that I will never remember all of them. Old or new, I'm not being picky at the moment. If I end up with too many to fit on a disc I'll cross that bridge when I come to it and weed some out. I may not even end up with enough shows, we'll see. I'm sure there will be a lot of "Wow, how could I forget that one", but that's what I am hoping for.

Below is what I have so far. I'm crossing my fingers that a few people will be able to help me out. [I'm looking at you lurkers too, I allow anonymous comments, so there's no reason not to participate.]

Anywho ...

LA Law
The Practice
Law & Order
The Paper Chase
Conviction
Boston Legal
Perry Mason
Judging Amy
Alley McBeal

What did I forget? If there are not a lot more than my list, then I will consider adding police shows to the mix also. That would mean Hill St Blues, CSI and The Closer. I bet I can't think of all those either, especially since I am willing to bet there are more police shows than lawyer shows. Feel free to put those in the comments as well if you'd like.

Sadly, I notice that there never seem to be shows about law students. The Paper Chase was only one season from what I understand, and I've never been lucky enough to see the show. I ADORE the movie. I know there was one show briefly last season, but it was so sporadic and kept changing in the schedule that I never even saw it before it was cancelled. Shame really, the life of a law student is full of potential angst and material for a show. I would love to write for a show like that.

OK, I've gotten hopelessly off topic. Law shows and perhaps some police shows in the comments box - ready, set, go!

FRIDAY'S FEAST - JUNE 16, 2006

Appetizer
What is a word that you use that would not be considered common?
I use a lot of uncommon words. My friends call me a human dictionary. I don't do it on purpose, I guess I just have a larger than average vocabulary. I am fond of "ecclectic" and "pragmatic" though.

Soup
What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year?
I don't have a calendar on my wall at present. My planner has sunflowers on it. I'm hoping to someday find a wall calendar of nothing but gerbera daisies.

Salad
Name 3 people you speak with by telephone a regular basis.
DD, CN and TP.

Main Course
If you could buy a new outfit for someone you know - who would it be and what would you purchase for them?
My niece, I love shopping for clothes for her. Something summery and bright and frilly. Of course DD needs suits and ties. If I was independantly wealthy I would buy him a custom made suit.

Dessert
What is the last beverage you drank?
Water

SICKO, PSYCHO ANT GAME

Found THIS GAME, called Ant City, while surfing the web. Basically you are perched in the sky with a giant magnifying glass. The instructions tell you that if you hold down the mouse button you will concentrate the suns rays. Be careful, wouldn't want to hurt anyone. Yeaaaaaa right. If you're slightly sadistic and like a little God complex you'll enjoy this. The screams of the pedestrians are a nice touch.

Yea, I know horribly late with Friday's Feast again. Actually I could have been on time, but have been posting other things instead. I get brownie points for that, right?!

Confidential to the '06 Barzamers: No, you may not play this game until August. This is a time suck you do not need. The link will still be here 5 weeks from now. You do NOT want to have to study all over again come December, trust me.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

In honor of all the dads out there who deserve our appreciation [including mine],
I give you THIS.

Enjoy.

ADVICE FOR JOB HUNTERS

If you are looking for a job [and I know I am!], the following books might be of interest [commentary from source]:

"What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard Bolles: Often called the gold-standard of job-hunting books, Bolles has done a masterful job of continually updating this career-planning bible.

"Landing on the Right Side of Your Ass" by Michael Laskoff: Harvard-educated and highly entertaining, Laskoff offers his advice and perspective on making the most out of losing your job. Drawing from his personal experience, the often-fired Laskoff shares practical tips for dealing with anger, insecurity and fear and moving on to a better future.

"Knock 'em Dead 2006" by Martin Yates: Learn how to prepare for and ace the job interview with this comprehensive, yet highly readable book. Yates takes you inside the mind of the interviewer and covers everything from phone screens to salary negotiations. He also includes fresh and thoughtful answers to the most common interview questions.

Don't get caught with your pants down next time your job interviewer or CEO asks if you've read any good books lately. The following titles will broaden your perspective and get the higher-ups thinking about you as "management material."

"Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based Management" by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton: These two authors, both Stanford men, suggest that corporate decision makers have been foolishly chasing industry best practices with little regard for what's best for the individual organization. Pfeffer and Sutton show management how to make decisions based on hard facts and solid evidence. They slice and dice current business wisdom.

"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell: Gladwell is a columnist for The New Yorker magazine and is being hailed as one of the most important thought-leaders of the century. In this insightful, yet fun read, Gladwell explores decision-making and why snap-judgments and gut reactions can be more accurate than analysis.

Best books for personal effectiveness

Want to learn how to get more done, sell your ideas or become rich? These page-turners will help you do all three, without making your eyes glaze over:

"Never Check E-mail in the Morning" by Julie Morgenstern: Citing e-mail and interruptions as the biggest time-suckers of the modern workday, Morgenstern offers effective strategies for gaining energy, getting more from your time and achieving work-life balance.

"The Little Red Book of Sales" by Jeffrey Gitomer: To get ahead in life, you need to know how to sell your ideas and yourself. Whether you're a professional sales rep or just want to increase your influence, this highly readable book explains "why people buy" and offers Gitomer's philosophies and insights (which he charges his corporate clients thousands of dollars for) into how to make a sale.

"Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth" by T. Harv Eker: A good job doesn't guarantee financial success. "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" describes how rich people think and act differently than the rest of the pack. This book helps you identify your personal money and success blueprint and explains how your childhood influences shape your financial destiny. Eker also includes action steps you can take to change how you think about money and increase your income and net worth.

Source: CNN.com

TEEN MOBS - COMING SOON TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU

Something occurred to me while reading THIS ARTICLE, found on Fark. If you don't want to go read it, the basic gist is that some malls are basically kicking out teens at a certain time of day to make the malls more pleasant for older, more mature patrons who will, in theory, spend more money than teens.

Here's my question: if teens are kicked out of malls and they have nowhere else to congregate and hang out, then where do you think they will go? Granted, it's their perogative to ask the younger, technically loitering, folks to leave, however there could be unforeseen repuercussions. Bored teens, nowhere to go, nothing to do .... Do you see a problem? The malls in those areas have seen an increase in sales, but will the surrounding area see an increase in their petty crime rate?

Isn't there some saying about idle hands being the devil's playground or something?

LIKE, I'M LIKE SOOO GLAD SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT - DUDE!

I love this billboard. I can hear valley girls and teenagers everywhere passing it and going, "OMG Shut. up!".

Borrowed from Miss Cellania.

SUPER SLACKER SOLILOQUY

Some lawyers just get in my brain and share my thoughts without even realizing it.
In that vein I give you Legal Mystenigmary's thoughts for today.

I couldn't have said it any better myself .....

100 MOST INSPIRATIONAL MOVIES MEME

AFI has released its list of the 100 most inspirational movies, and since this list will be all over the place, I'm going to go ahead and post the ones I've seen. I may or may not add commentary. [That might have to come tomorrow since I'm really trying to stick to a sane sleeping schedule even though I'm not working at the moment.]

I've bolded the movies I've seen, and underlined the ones I love. [H/T to APL for the list, and I just borrowed her system for emphasis for consistency.] As a side note, blogger doesn't like underlining unless it is a link so I had to do it manually, yes with code!

On to the list:

1. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
2. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - this is also my favorite book in the universe
3. SCHINDLER'S LIST - I think I saw parts of this, too depressing
4. ROCKY
5. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON - i should see this
6. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL I saw this in a drive in!
7. THE GRAPES OF WRATH
8. BREAKING AWAY
9. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - the original NOT the remake *grumble, damn remakes grumble*
10. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN - again, thought it would be too sad, never saw it
11. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
12. APOLLO 13
13. HOOSIERS
14. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI - heard of it but don't even know what it is about
15. THE MIRACLE WORKER
16. NORMA RAE
17. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
18. THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
19. THE RIGHT STUFF
20. PHILADELPHIA
21. IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT
22. THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES
23. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
24. NATIONAL VELVET
25. SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS
26. THE WIZARD OF OZ
27. HIGH NOON
28. FIELD OF DREAMS
29. GANDHI
30. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
31. GLORY
32. CASABLANCA
33. CITY LIGHTS
34. ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN
35. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
36. ON THE WATERFRONT
37. FORREST GUMP
38. PINOCCHIO
39. STAR WARS
40. MRS. MINIVER
41. THE SOUND OF MUSIC
42. 12 ANGRY MEN
43. GONE WITH THE WIND
44. SPARTACUS
45. ON GOLDEN POND
46. LILIES OF THE FIELD
47. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
48. THE AFRICAN QUEEN
49. MEET JOHN DOE
50. SEABISCUIT
51. THE COLOR PURPLE - as usual the book was better but only b/c it was longer. The movie was exceptionally done.
52. DEAD POET'S SOCIETY
53. SHANE
54. RUDY
55. THE DEFIANT ONES
56. BEN-HUR
57. SERGEANT YORK
58. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND
59. DANCES WITH WOLVES
60. THE KILLING FIELDS
61. SOUNDER
62. BRAVEHEART
63. RAINMAN
64. THE BLACK STALLION
65. A RAISIN IN THE SUN
66. SILKWOOD
67. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
68. AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
69. THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
70. COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER
71. COOL HAND LUKE
72. DARK VICTORY
73. ERIN BROCKOVICH
74. GUNGA DIN
75. THE VERDICT
76. BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ
77. DRIVING MISS DAISY
78. THELMA & LOUISE
79. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
80. BABE - this was inspirational?!
81. BOYS TOWN
82. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
83. MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN
84. SERPICO
85. WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT
86. STAND AND DELIVER
87. WORKING GIRL
88. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
89. HAROLD AND MAUDE
90. HOTEL RWANDA
91. THE PAPER CHASE
92. FAME - this was inspirational? I thought the TV show was better.
93. A BEAUTIFUL MIND
94. CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS
95. PLACES IN THE HEART
96. SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER
97. MADAME CURIE
98. THE KARATE KID
99. RAY
100. CHARIOTS OF FIRE - never saw it but love the music

I'm really surprised EMPIRE OF THE SUN and THE TERRY FOX STORY were not on the list.

THIS IS SO ON TARGET IT'S SCARY

TSC Girl took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! Click here to take the test yourself.

Your Existing Situation

Acts in an orderly, methodical, and self-contained manner. Needs the sympathetic understanding of someone who will give her recognition and approval.


Your Stress Sources

The existing situation is disagreeable. Has an unsatisfied need to ally herself with others whose standards are as high as her own, and to stand out from the rank and file. Her control of her sensual instincts restricts her ability to give herself, but the resulting isolation leads to the urge to surrender and allow herself to merge with another. This disturbs her. as such instincts are regarded as weaknesses to be overcome; she feels that only by continued self-restraint can she hope to maintain her attitude of individual superiority. Wants to be loved or admired for herself alone; needs attention, recognition, and the esteem of others.


Your Restrained Characteristics

Circumstances are restrictive and hampering, forcing her to forgo all joys and pleasures for the time being.

Circumstances are such that she feels forced to compromise for the time being if she is to avoid being cut off from affection or from full participation.


Your Desired Objective

Wants interesting and exciting things to happen. Able to make herself well-liked by her obvious interest and by the very openness of her charm. Over-imaginative and given to fantasy or day-dreaming.


Your Actual Problem

Greatly impressed by the unique, by originality, and by individuals of outstanding characteristics. Tries to emulate the characteristics she admires and to display originality in her own personality.


Your Actual Problem #2

Has a fear that she might be prevented from achieving the things she wants. This leads her to employ great personal charm in her dealings with others, hoping that this will make it easier for her to reach her objectives.

FRIDAY'S FEAST - JUNE 9, 2006

What? You thought I was going to be on time this week?? LOL

Appetizer
About how much money did you spend on gas this week?
$40

Soup
What is your favortite brand of toilet paper?
Scott

Salad
When was the last time you discovered something that you thought was pure genius?
The quick release wheel detachment lever on my new bike, I was also impressed that the whole saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike is true!

Main Course
What is the least amount of sleep you can get by on per night?
6 hours if I want to be anywhere near coherent

Dessert
June is a popular month for weddings. Do you know anyone who is getting married this month?
Nope, 2 weddings in August.

MY NEW TOY

I went out and bought a bike! I have not ridden one in almost 15 years, but I decided awhile ago that I wanted one because #1 it would be fun and #2 I need the exercise. I shopped around at a few places and even test rode some bikes. [Sidenote: they don't like it when you ride bikes in Walmart, in fact they threaten to remove you from the store. Just an FYI.] I ended up getting this baby at a bike store where I have lots of nifty warranties and a free 6 month checkup. AND I got to ride as many bikes as I wanted all over the parking lot until I found one I liked.


It was not cheap, but I think it was worth it since I don't want it to break after riding it only once or twice.

Isn't it beautious?!

VINTAGE DILBERT

A friend sent me the following comic via email. It looks to be a scan of the actual newspaper, and I cannot find a digital copy on the web so you get it the same way I did. It's so awesome. I gather it is from '97 and as soon as I get my own office I am SO going to buy a lithograph or something for my wall.

As always, the brillance of Dilbert is courtesy of Scott Adams.

TOO. FUNNY. FOR. WORDS.

I love this judge.

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!

After four years of college, three years of law school, eighteen hellish months of bar exam-ing and five months of "it's still at the calligrapher" my New Jersey Law License arrived in the mail today. Ohhh happy day!!!!

A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

Your True Love Is an Aries

Why you'll love an Aries: An Aries has the red-hot seduction skills to woo you Never boring, an Aries will give you the romantic challenge you crave! Why an Aries will love you: You have the intensity and energy to go head to head with your Aries... And the undying passion to keep an Aries coming back for more.

What Sign Is Your True Love?

This is all well and good, except for the fact that I am also an Aries and I cannot imagine falling for another Aries. Stranger things have happened I suppose.

FRIDAY'S FEAST - JUNE 2, 2006

Woo hoo on time this week! And two posts in one day!
Don't YOU feel special?! OK fine, be that way.

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how funny do you think you are?
This depends on my mood and on who is judging. Some of my friends think I am hilarious. I am sure there are times when people like my parents find me decidedly UNfunny. One of my law school roommates told me I should try standup. I still maintain that my brother is one of the funniest people I know, but after a few drinks I might bring down the house. Yea that was pretty long winded and I never did give an actual number. Deal with it.

Soup
Name a local restaurant you would recommend to a visitor to your town or city.
I don't know about "local", but my favorite restaurants in the entire state are: Amici Milano in Trenton and The Crab Trap in Somers Point.

Salad
What's a lesson you were lucky enough to learn the easy way?
LOL not many, Sadly I'm not really a "learn the easy way" type of person.

Main Course
Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
Working! And in my own place and possibly married. Possibly.

Dessert
If you could see the front page of a newspaper from June 2, 2106, what would you imagine the headline might be?
NATO opens talks with neighboring solar system's leaders

INNUENDO IN THE LIQUOR STORE

I went to lunch today with a gal from work that we'll call Sporty Spice. Sporty and I chowed down at a local Chinese place where the dumplings were greasy, the garlic sauce was rockin' hot and the waiter/host guy was rude - perfect. After lunch we ducked into the liquor store so Sporty could grab a pack of smokes. [I kinda miss smoking, and mostly I don't. But that is another post. ] In any event we were yacking on about our favorite drinks and how much more "interesting" the afternoon would be at the office if we drank a few brews before returning to work, when suddenly Sporty dissolves into girlie giggles. She points, and I look.

CREAMY HEAD FOR COCKTAILS?!!? I start snickering like a school girl too. I look over at Sporty, our eyes meet and clearly we have both mentally gone to the same place. Peals of laughter follow - loudly. People glare, we don't care, we're still trying to gain control of ourselves. Then I stiffen up and look at Sporty again. "You don't think? .... nahhh." Sporty looks at me, and deadpans, "well is does say 'all purpose' ".

Ahh, good times. We were being really immature, but so what. How else are you going to get your kicks on a rainy Friday afternoon? I can't wait to see what happens the first time Sporty and I hang out in a bar.