Every Day is a Franklin Day

Franklin

We picked up our new dog last night. His name is Franklin. He is part of the Westie Rescue and was found wandering the streets of Brooklyn and then admitted to a shelter for a few weeks hoping that his owner(s) would pick him up. But no one came. So, we filled out an application and waited for our perfect dog to arrive. After many emails and phone calls, Westie Rescue said they might have a dog for us and they brought him for a visit Saturday. We picked him up to bring him to our forever-home last night. And now without further ado, I present to you --- Franklin:

We're getting a DOG!

Tomorrow we are getting a dog!!!! We are adopting a Westie from the Westie Rescue!!! Oh my goodness, this is so exciting.

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble!

Here are some of our pictures from Thanksgiving this year at the Kennedy's. It was a great time!

Tonight Ryan is being a little elf and taking down our air conditioner and ...then Christmas comes tonight! We're listening to the Christmas music channel on cable (while I unfortunately do work).

Promises Promises

I promised the world that I would never be in a bad mood again since I passed the bar. But I am a serious grouch today. People at work were bothering the living b'geezus out of me. Plus, I've really been thinking about getting a dog but now I'm getting worried that I don't have the time or money for a pupper. Oh dear oh dear. The worries of a silly girl.

F'in Jean-yus

Yup, I passed NY and NJ bar exams. So sweet. Isn't I s-m-r-t? (Note: Simpsons reference - "I am so smart. S-M-R-T!")

Passssssssseeddddd NJ!

Looks like I have the luck of the irish! I passed the NJ bar! I'm still waiting on NY but I'm probably going to practice in NJ anyway! Happy Day ~ no more exams!

Talk about Suspense

The bar results come out this week. NJ is coming out Wednesday and NY... well they haven't posted when the results are going to be released... so anywhere from now until probably Friday.

I will let you all know and so this can be a place of communal celebration or a vehicle for additional public shame. Either way I guess. (Knock on wood.)

F'ing Long Time

(Note time delay. Panera doesn't let me post to blogger.)

It is has been SO long since I have posted. Apologies all around.

I'm sitting in Panera Bread in Princeton right now waiting for Ryan who is interviewing fancy-firm style. Meanwhile, I'm listening to jazz that makes me want to eat my own hand. WHY GOD WHY do establishments such as Panera, Starbucks, and Barnes and Noble think that EVERYONE LIKES JAZZ? The wailing frenetic hyper schizoid fever makes me feel like my scalp is pulsating and eventually, if I stay long enough, my brain will eat my scalp.

Speaking of adjectives, I've been taking a poetry workshop at the Adult School in Montclair. It has been really interesting and fun and definitely gotten me to write a bit. So I guess that's part of the reason I haven't been posting as much ... my writing bug has been satisfied elsewhere. Do you feel like I'm cheating on you? Don't worry, I'll always come back. I'm just a free bird. (God I hate Lynyrd Skynard - note all the Y's - that is for "Y do you suck so much Lynyrd Skynard?")

Kitty Love

The prettiest most loving cat alive lives on my porch in a box that I set up for her that has two towels and my winter coat that was getting too ratty lining it. She is a great singer and drools a little when her pet her. Her name is Julie. I'm putting Miss Julie-shoes up for adoption. I can't take her in because Ryan and I are both allergic to cats even though I am a big cat lover. Someone who works for my mom is coming tomorrow night to meet Julie with her daughter. I'm going to sob my eyes out.

Directions

Here is something you didn't know about me: I am fixated on directions. I need to at the least have seen a map of where I am going and at the best have been there before. My frequent half-way-point is that I print out directions to where I am going. It doesn't matter where. Two nights ago I had a class I'm taking a few blocks away -- about 7 to be more accurate -- and I printed out a local map of MY NEIGHBORHOOD so I would know where to go. Just in case. I also spend a good deal of my precious free time viewing maps of frequently traveled routes of mine and seeing what other streets I could take. Just in case. Tonight, in preparation for needing gas tomorrow, I looked on google local so that I could see all my gas station options on my route to work and made sure that the gas station was on the same side of the street as I am driving so that I don't have to cut across traffic or in the alternative what side street I could take to avoid cutting across traffic. And while I am writing this I am somewhat concerned because I haven't printed out a map. Which I will not look at and will leave on the passenger side floor.

Weeks in the year

Only 47 more weeks left of work. I'm so glad that it isn't leap year.

Working with the remedies

I've decided that something's gotta give so I tried to figure out where I could change things that would make me feel better. This morning I sprayed my whole damn office with Lysol focusing primarily on the rug and my upholstered desk chair. I also drank a lot of water. I took my lunch hour with Kimber and we went to the Greek place and I had a feta gyro and we bought our mega-millions tickets. Then I left work at around 515 and took the scenic less-trafficed route to the parkway. And I played my Brandy CD and sang loudly in the car.

Where does job-hating get you?

I think that job-hating has resulted in a daily day-long headache that culminates with some small relief immediately before bed and kicks in again around 10 am. So I basically have a 12 hour headache every day.

Aside from that, I am afraid to leave work every day because I'm not sure how late I'm supposed to stay. I would really like to leave around 5pm since I get there at 730 but I'm nervous about appearing lazy. Even though I am.

The good news is that the actual substance of work, although somewhat boring, is certainly not the worst part of the job. And that's the good news.

Weekend

This weekend Simon came to visit! I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. He is the sweetest dog in the doggone world. Yesterday, I had my cousin Diane's bridal shower to go to but then afterward when I came home to Ryan (who had been doing the dog-sitting all day) and Simon (who was being sat) we went to Pet Co. and got Simon some new toys! He really had a blast.

And now he's wandering around the apartment looking for tissues to eat and I'm doing work on the couch.

A List

1) I hate my job
2) It makes me feel like life is a sad worthless miserable experience
3) There are large roaches at work
4) Plus mice
5) I really really hate my job
6) I would have to pass the year by thinking up things I would rather do

It might get easier

I'm guessing this might get easier when I start to understand the law better in the particular subject areas and also when I start to care a little less.
For now, I'm doing work all weekend.

Getting Used to Life

This working thing is really a drag. I mean, law school was annoying, but this ... THIS ... waking up at 630 getting to work by 740 working all day getting home at 7 doing work at home or at least thinking about it ....

At least Medium and Arrested Development have their season premiere Monday night.

Busiest Lazy Person or Laziest Busy Person That is the Question

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH WORK?
Work is pretty busy. I am about as busy at work as I would have been at any other job which is fine except that I know that I'm getting off easy right now. My judge is on vacation so I have the luxury of doing SOME work and then cleaning another drawer in my desk and then answering some phone calls and then taking an hour for lunch and then finally being able to go home between 4:30 and 5:00. And I feel angry and stressed that work is only going to get more time consuming. Although, it DOES mean I don't have to sit on the parkway during rush hour.

COMMUTING ADVENTURES
Yesterday's: Route 1 & 9 to McCarter Highway to (some streets in between including Broad) Bloomfield Avenue to something that gets me to Grove = 45 MINUTES

Today's commuting adventure from Elizabeth to Upper Montclair: North Broad to Elizabeth Avenue to Chancellor to Grove (picture below in one of the Oranges on Grove and S Orange Avenue) to North Grove to Grove to Watchung (with a few wrong turns) = 1 HOUR



STAY TUNED FOR MORE COMMUTING ADVENTURES BY A GIRL WHO REFUSES TO STAND STILL ON THE PARKWAY NORTH!

Spamoconos

The spam I've been getting is in the comments left after blog postings. You can tell when I've gotten some because I erase the posting but it still appears as having been deleted. They aren't really interesting - just crap like "I like your blog. You should look at www.cheapmovingvans.com to find out more about cooking asparagus."

This weekend we went to the Poconos again at a place called Hemlock Farms. It is an okay area although the entire community is very contained like a bizarre self-run town that has security gates and is all fenced off enclosing starving deer who munch on low grass along the side of the road without budging when a car drives by and rafters of wild turkeys digging through people's trash. (For more on group names for birds try this.)

The best part of the weekend (aside from playing tennis and spending time with my family) is exploring all the towns. My new favorite town where I really want to move is Honesdale, PA. I love it. The houses are just breath taking, the landscape is like a dream, and the town is a fabulous mix of eclectic/new-agey/old-mining-town. And it is also the locations of the Himalayan Institute which is a meditation and yoga center.

Dr. Snoozlebutt Doesn't Work at the Courthouse

The title refers to the suspicion that I have that this job is going to be even more draining on my creativity than law school was. Right now it is all discovery end dates, mouse droppings, and 40+ minute commuting.

I cleaned my office for almost an hour today because I found mouse poopies all over my desk. Is that freakin' gross or what? I don't think that desk was ever cleaned. Who could work there like that? Not me. I have 2 types of lysol to disinfect.

Survey Says: Work Will Win

Tomorrow is the first day of work. This means it is the first day of the rest of my meaningless income-earning attorney-ass-kissing life.

The Battle Between Vacation and Work Continues

I am vacationing these few days (today and tomorrow) before September 1st when work officially begins. The good news about work starting is that I will actually be getting paid for the work I do rather than when I was training (or even going to school now that I think about it). The vacationing has been pretty moderate consisting of mostly a struggle to unpack the final moving boxes, sprinkled with (...some really bad writing...) trips to the Poconos. Ryan and I have been playing tennis when it doesn't rain although yesterday I shouldn't have played. The air was UNBREATHABLE but we insisted on playing for 2 1/2 hours and I had a migraine all night afterwards.

My friend Alyson is here visiting from DC and we are having a little dinner gathering tonight for dinner at the new apartment.

Here is a picture of Lauren's other cat, Creamy. I think he is so precious I could cry a little.

Cute Cat

Here is my friend Lauren's cute kitty named Milo.



Cute, cute, cute!

Saw a MOVIE

We have "on demand" feature for free for about 6 months so I've been trying to watch a few more movies than usual even though the selection sucks.

Tonight, I watched a movie that I am 100% positive that I have tried to watch before: Brazil which is a fantasy sci-fi futuristic 1950's style movie filmed in the 80's. It is awesome. And I know I hated it before. This is how I know that I am getting better with age. First indian food. Now Brazil.

Forgetting How to Type

A delicious part of no longer being in school and not having actually started work is that I notice my typing speed has slowed a little - not really noticably to someone else - but the motions just feel slightly foreign to me. I love it!
What I do not love is that I am going to have to use windows when working for the state of New Jersey. Wah.

Only More Boring

I have been SO damn boring this week that I haven't even bothered writing anything. I have been training for work in Elizabeth most of the week as well as getting certified to serve as a court appointed mediator in Hackensack. Real fun.

Tomorrow is MOTION DAY!!!! Yee-haw. I have no idea what to expect from this magical sounding day. I'm sure it will be just as irritating as the rest of the days in the Union County Courthouse.

Work is also work

I have to work all next week plus the following monday and tuesday for free to train for my goddamn job. Ryan said I should just consider it "hanging out" because I don't have to really do work. I just have to watch someone else do work.
Although I just wanted to lay around and read books for fun. Instead, I get to dress up in suits in the heat and drive in rush hour on the parkway. Really f'ing fun.

Vacation is Work

Since we have moved there has not been a day of leisure, aside from my weekend away with the ladies. Moving into a new place, especially one that has not been lived in for a while, is hard work. Ryan is totally revamping the closets with ClosetMaid products we got at Home Depot. We have 2 small closets - one for each of us - in this apartment so we're doubling up the rods. It is easier for my closet b/c I'm so damn short that my clothes fit all doubled up. Later today we're driving my old bed to my mom's house in Brooklyn and bringing back the day bed and trundle. Next week I have to go to work. Grrr. But (sigh) then I have 2 weeks off again until the final push of work, work, work until the day I retire.

Great Weekend!

I had a wonderful weekend ~ I got together with my college housemates ~ all 8 of us present. We went to Lisa's parents' house in the Adirondacks on the world's most beautiful lake.


Here are my ladies!

Update

Just checking in. We're still unpacking boxes and the chore seems like it will never end. Luckily, we now have hot water - for 2 days we were taking pure cold showers because our hot water heater wasn't working. I'm still illiterate from the bar exam experience and my whole system is down for the count. I can't figure out what time to get up or when to eat... It is madness, madness, I tell you.

Bar Shmar?

After 3 grueling days (that's 18 torturous hours) of exam, I'm finally freakin' done. It was a violation. An assault. It seems like the entire goal was to instill fear and humiliation. And I am very very tired but very very relieved. I sincerely hope that is the last time I have to do that.

Okay here's a post!

This morning I got up nice and early (yeah at 745), showered, tried on about 7 shirts, settled on one that didn't look that good but didn't look as bad as the other 6, put on a sweatshirt (even though it is a gazzillion degree I still refuse to admit it is summer because I am never exposed to the sun), slapped on a little makeup so I don't have to feel like a grotesque monster when I'm sitting by myself in a study room in the law library, packed a lunched, heaved my heavy backpack and laptop bag on my already burdened shoulders, and snatched up my lunch bag and coffee mug that was filled to the brim with black sweetened coffee. I did not put creamer in the coffee because we are running low and time is of the essence (are those clauses valid if added orally during the execution of the contract? oh parol evidence, i have yet to learn you!). I figured I would mooch off the slug who runs the cafeteria here at school. (Sorry Ralph if you read this.) To my dismay, I wrongfully relied to my detriment that the cafeteria would be open so I am creamless and more importantly breakfastless. I did, however, bring 2 granola bars in case such a famine would arise. About 1/2 the things I carry around with me are totally useless (bandaids, a ceramic rabbit, about 20 highlighters, entire bag of carrots, etc.) but I really like to be prepared. And I kind of don't like going outside so I like to feel I could be ready to face my very worst foreseeable fear (which is gangrene but I am not prepared for that). Unfortunately, the granola bar has a terrible after-taste. Almost like cheese. And although I like cheese, I do not like my granola bar tasting like cheese. The whole thing is strange because the cheese I have at home doesn't taste like cheese. Maybe I should put the granola bars where the cheese is in the fridge and just put the cheese up in the cabinet in the granola bar box. Now, that's an idea!
I am currently cooped up in a study room in the library that is approximately 6x6 and chock full of 7 chairs which I had to rearrange because they weren't the way they were yesterday when I got this very same room. And I'm just going to go back to the books. Today on tap is Crim Law, Crim Pro, Con Law fun-review, and an introduction to Secured Transactions and Commercial Papers.

just a reminder

hey there kids,
i'm still studying for the bar. i won't be around until next week. maybe late next week because we're moving right after the bar!
-Mary

Here's A Thought

Do you like Picasso? So does Costco.

My Dad

My dad was ALSO in the NYTimes this week. That makes the two of us! So exciting.
Here is a picture from the article.
Guess which one is my dad... (comments please!)

Light on the Lame, Heavy on the Fame

My blog was mentioned in the NYTimes today! Pretty cool.

I can reduce ANYTHING into a colorful chart

I'm not kidding. If something is half-way logical, I can reduce it to a colorful chart.

Here's constitutional law:


And here is the rest of con law plus another one about defeasible estates (on my kitchen cabinets - pretty sweet decor, huh?)

Where I've Been

logo
Originally uploaded by lambgarden.

I haven't been around and don't expect to be very much over the next couple of weeks. This bar review owns every minute of my life. They even tell us when to schedule in breathing.

3 hours review New York Property Notes;
.5 minutes breathe;
17 hours listen to jerks on video

I can't even remember when the last time I showered was -- I think they forgot to put it on the schedule.

Will there be a SHOWDOWN?

As some of you may know, my sweetheart is Ryan of If this is paradise, I wish I had a lawnmower. He has been advocating, on his blog, the television premiere of Sharpe James (he's the real deal) which airs tonight at 10pm on PBS. On the other hand, I *LOVE* inane comedy. The Comedy Central show Stella will be on at the very same time. We only have one television. The question is: Will it be a SHOWDOWN?

I got a new coach bag

For a vegetarian, I really ought to look into my love of leather bags. Anyway, we went to the Coach Factory store in Woodbury Commons Friday and I got this bag that was on sale for 169 w/ 50% off of that! I couldn't not get it. How could I?

It really must take all types

WHAT THE HELL? (there was an explanation here yesterday which was apparently eaten by blogger himself - here goes another try...) This was a posting on craigslist that suggested that you email this guy a song name and your phone number and he would call you and sing it to you. He warned that he would not do it if it wasn't your number or if you were going to laugh (but only b/c he found that it made it difficult to finish the song).

Reading Coffee Cream

The weirdest pattern emerged on the top of my coffee. I was thinking maybe it means something like tea leaves.

If you look closely, you can see a snowflake pattern over the top of the coffee. If it is a star, it is a sign of hope, joy, and prosperity. (*fingers crossed*)

Another preview of the new apartment

Ryan, my mom, and I went to measure the new apartment and my mom is drawing up the floor plans so we can figure out where the heck things will go.
Here is a sneak-peak our kitchen nook.

Another "You Decide."

Barry Wood, a designer on Trading Spaces looks EXACTLY LIKE Logan Marshall-Green who plays Trey on The OC.



Don't you think?

Moving (in August but lease starts next Friday!)!

Friday begins the NEW LEASE FOR OUR APARTMENT! We have a month overlap between leases - which although it makes it more expensive, we have the ability to take our time with the move.
This is an overview of our house!

We are going on Sunday to measure with my mom (b/c she's an architect) to figure out where our furniture will fit (or not)!

Mr. Bananagrabber

Bananagrabber
Originally uploaded by lambgarden.

I love you, Mr. Bananagrabber.

Maybe you should give away your dad instead. It seems like he's the one with the problem.

I LOVE Commercials

I have to confess - I love commercials. Not only do I watch enough television to SHOCK the conscience but I also enjoy the WORST part of it -- that part that fuels the money machine.

Here is my recent favorite.

Gotta Love Poor Choice in Words

Here is a posting from craigslist:

"Hey there. It just saddens me to see so many of our larger friends tied and chained in a yard day after day. They may looks cumbersome and slow especially next to a smaller high energy terrier for example but for their overall health they need some play time and exercise just the same. My associate and I (both broke students) willwalk your dog, run with him and help bleed off a lot of that pent up energy. Our rates are flexible. Hope to talk to you soon"

I recommend omitting the word "bleed" from an offer to dog-walk.
(could it be a joke? it just seems too subtle....)

I Need a Life

Since yesterday's posting, I had a dream that I went to get my haircut. I wanted to cut it a little below chin length but my mom and sister thought I shouldn't cut it so short.

Today's story involves Dr. Snoozlebutt spending a day in the park with his pet pig Roozies. They pack a nice picnic lunch of sardines, marmalade, and melba toast. And one apple for Roozies. Dr. Snoozlebutt wears his snoozliest PJs for park-romping and Roozies sports a polka-dot handkerchief tied debonairly around his pudgy neck.

Newark City Hall and Me

This is a picture of me on the way back from the main post office in Newark posing in front of Newark City Hall.


I'm thinking I need a haircut. I was planning on growing it long but ... I kind of hate my hair long. It takes me over like a monster - a big hair monster. I'm much fresher with my short curly hair. Much Maryier, that's for sure. Maybe I should wait for the summer's crazy humidity subsides before I render myself unable to tie my hair back in a knot.

I'm watching I Want That! on HGTV and I do NOT recommend it. Basically, it is a whole show featuring stupid things you have already seen in stores or you would never want. I want to see more crazy luxury features for the home that only super rich people would consider getting. Not some Bose radio that stores songs on it knows how to play songs on random -- eh hemmm... has anyone ever heard of a computer or iTunes? Very unimpressive.

Leave me messages with suggestions for topics if anyone is particularly bored with the current events. I won't be insulted!

Maybe this isn't Michael Jackson at All!

I propose that this man we have been calling Michael Jackson is not who we think he is. I think that some very ugly middle aged woman has taken his place. It is all a conspiracy.

According to sources, we're actually looking for this guy:

Trout Parade Pics (Part 1)

Here are some of the pictures from this year's Trout Parade in Livingston Manor, NY.

Hello There

Sorry I didn't post pictures of the Trout Parade - I forgot my camera up at the cabin and had to use my mom's. Now she has her camera in Brooklyn so I won't have the pictures for a little while. I'll see what I can do. I was really fun and strange. The weather was wicked hot but at least the thunderstorms didn't start until the late afternoon.

The notable aspect about the Michael Jackson trial to me is that weird fan. It isn't that there has been a long track-record of Michael paying off kiddies to keep their mouths shut. It isn't that he admitted to sleeping in the same bed as children. Or that there is this mysterious thing called "Jesus Juice."

It is that weird SUPERFAN named BJ Hickman. I kind of admire the blind fanaticism he has displayed. I think people should start becoming fans of this fan. Love of his love! I love you BJ Hickman!

Trout Parade!

You might think that I should study all weekend. You would be right. However, I will *also* be celebrating my favorite fish


at the TROUT PARADE in Livingston Manor, New York the fly fishing capital nestled in the Catskills Mountains. The parade looks like loads of fun so what more could I ask for?

Oh yeah, and I'm celebrating my grandmother's birthday! Happy Birthday Nanny!

I'll post pictures of all the events on Sunday when I get back.

What's the WORLD Coming To?

This Dancing with the Stars is truly disturbing. I am watching Joey McIntyre dance the fox trot. My inner 12 year old is weeping.

Our New Apartment in Upper Montclair!

Ryan and I made light work of finding an apartment! We're moving to Upper Montclair in New Jersey in July/August! The apartment is in this house:


Here are two pictures of the pretty living room:



This is one of the bedrooms (there are two and they both have hardwood floors!):


And this is the yard:


We also have our own private porch! Friends, be prepared to be invited over for much fun!

Prepare to Be Horrified

My email address and AIM is "lambgarden" which I dreamed up in high school as my AOL name. I think you can probably figure out why when you think about that my name is MARY therefore there is a connection to LAMB and separately a connection to GARDEN. It does not mean that I have pet lambs.
And what it certainly does NOT mean is this - click on TVCM. For a strict veggie head like myself, this is TOTALLY repulsive. Fear not though, I also find it funny. I haven't lost my sense of humor or humility.

Summer plans

Summer plans? you ask. Yeah, aside from preparing for the bar exam (2 of them really) I am going to be spending weekends up in the Catskills. My mom is renting a house and I'm planning on scooting myself and my books in my little 'Baru up to New York. Luckily, we still get one day of leisure with the bar review class so I can go hiking and swimming and row a boat for the other day. Some of the trails look so majestic - I'm supa-cited! This city mouse can't wait to breathe some fresh air.

Wanna Feel Old and Sad?

Then watch Hit Me Baby One More Time where you can see former professional pop stars battle it out in an amateur night setting. You'll think I'm kidding but so far CeCe Peniston and Arrested Development have been the best. I guess this is how I have to console myself in the summer-draught.

10,000

I just want to take this opportunity to say that Lame Attempt is rapidly approaching 10,000 visits all before the one-year anniversary! Yay, thanks for visiting friends!

Why Study?

Why study for the bar when I can find out all I need to know about the law, particularly evidence through articles about the Jackson case? Oh Michael Jackson, I hope I get a lot of questions regarding past activity admissible to indicate a pattern of behavior.

Paris Madness

Ring ring ring
"hello?"
"hi. is paris there?"

Talk about confusion and egotism to the extreme. Paris is marrying Paris. Is this a sign of the apocalypse?

I'm a Classy Lady

Here is a picture of Ryan and me. (Grammar moment: "and me" because if it was just a picture of me it would be "of me")
Don't I look like a VERY CLASSY LADY?

"Talbots, here I come!"

Graduate

Graduation!

Today Ryan and I (and about 300+ others) are graduating from LAW SCHOOL! It is being held at the PNC Bank Arts Center - what a stupid choice considering our school is in Newark and the Arts Center is down the shore. Nevertheless, we get to wear purple robes and a hood and a puffy purple hat. I had to straighten my hair so that it wouldn't POOF under the PUFF of the hat. I'll post pictures later (maybe tomorrow)!

American Idol Winner!

Winner = Carrie Underwood

Honestly, Carrie is a very talented singer but I was hoping to see Bo win rather than witnessing a performance that was tantamount to a prom queen acceptance speech.

American Idol Live Blogging

Bo - "Its a Long Long Road"
Mary: You have a beautiful voice and I didn't think the song showed that. It was a bunch of power notes mixed with some weird off-tune drowned out mumbling.
Randy: Yo man... this is the most important show ever. Bad news is that I did not love that song. Weird song. The good news its it don't matter what you sing and even though you started off shaky you still brought it home in the end.
Paula: Congratulations you're here tonight. First, it is hard singing a song no one knows but I get chills when I see everyone vibing with you and you could sing the Webster's dictionary and it would song good to me.
Simon: You look like my chemistry teacher and it was a very dreary song. You are going to have to do a hell of a lot better tonight to walk away with this title.

Carrie - "Inside Your Heaven"
Mary: The song was kind of good but I really thought you were off key. You were flat for most of the song. That kind of thing could really hurt your chances.
Randy: Wow. This is a "wow" night. Bad news is, once again, I didn't love that song either. The first half was really pitchy for you. But the good news is that in the end because you're a great singer you brought it home in the end. You can really really sing. You guys are even right now.
Paula: Congratulations you're here tonight. You had a couple of not that great notes but who cares. And they love you.
Simon: I can see how nervous you are. I think this song is better than the first song. You are going to have to pace yourself because your vocal was right on the edge there however round one goes to you.

Bo - Vehicle
Mary: Mmm I love when you sing this song. Wowie wow. Your voice probably makes Jim Morrison roll over.
Randy: That's what I'm talking about. That's how you put it down. Now I'm happy that was hot
Paula: You couldn't have performed it better than you did just now
Simon: Welcome back. Now we've got ourselves a competition.

I HATE BLOGGER. IT WON'T POST MY LIVE BLOGGING SO I GIVE UP.

Books in Preparation and Theories (You Decide)

BOOKS IN PREPARATION
I bought the following two books in preparation for being done with the bar exam!

Feast for Crows by George RR Martin - part of a sci-fi fantasy series I read a while back!


Harry Potter strikes again!!

YOU DECIDE
Don't you think Johnny Depp is starting to look more and more like Michael Jackson (pre-nose cap)?

Lame Attempt Less Lame

Here is an article about New Jersey blogs and yours truly is mentioned in it. Unfortunately, my claim to fame is American Idol and unfortunately the show is ending this week so my fame is short-lived.

Lyrics to Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek"

"Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap (the updated version directly from the imogen heap website!)

where are we? what the hell is going on?
the dust has only just began to fall
crop circles in the carpet, sinking, feeling
spin me around again and rub my eyes
this can't be happening
when busy streets a mess with people would stop to hold their heads heavy

hide and seek
trains and sewing machines?
all those years they were here first

oily marks appear on walls
where pleasue moments hung before
the takeover, the sweeping insensitivity of this
still alive

hide and seek
trains and sewing machines? oh, you won't catch me around here
blood and tears they were here first

mm what you say
oh that you only meant well, well of course you did
mm what you say
mm that it's all for the best, of course it is
mm what you say
that IT'S JUST what we need, you decided this
mm what you say
what did she say?

ransom notes keep falling at your mouth
mid-sweet talk, newspaper word cut outs
speak no feeling no i don't believe you
you don't care a bit you don't care a bit

you don't care a bit
you don't care a bit
you don't care a bit
you don't care a bit
you don't care a bit

OC Season FInale

That was the absolute best episode of the OC I have seen. Holy freakin' crap. And I bought that song played during the funeral and in the last scene. It is by Imogen Heap called "Hide and Seek." Absolutely awesome. Wow, I am a pop culture sucker. Hmm... and I love it.

Arrested Idol

GOOD NEWS! Arrested Development is coming back next season!!!! Yippeee yie yo. If you have not yet watched this show, you are a stupid loser and you need to watch it. If you have seen it and don't like it, you are a stupider loser who doubles as a jackass.

IDOL RESULTS: Vonzell leaves this week.

Dr. Snoozlebutt

I think I want to write a story about a Dr. Snoozlebutt. He lives with his pet pig, Roozies. That's pretty much all I've got. Law school does damaging things to one's creativity.

Other News

I'm so tired. The PMBR is really great - like totally helpful and it is also good that it gets me up early in the am. But - wahh - I'm so tired!

American Idol Live Blogging

Vonzell "I Know I'll Never Love this Way Again"
Mary: That was awful - you hit a lot of wrong notes.
Clive: You hit the notes great. Be careful about the hint of a smile in a song like that.
Randy: It was a little pitchy for me.
Paula: I think it started out a little pitchy. You ended up nailing the "power voice" that you have.
Simon: There were a few bum notes but you have 2 more songs. You have to do better than that.

Bo "Sun Coming Down on Me"
Mary: mediocre
Clive: good...
Randy: you're in the dog pound
Paula: brillant
Simon: great - and i like this better than the rock thing

Carrie "Crying"
Mary: You started off amazing and hit a few bad ones at the end. Overall great.
Clive: I think you did a real strong job and you captured the strenth of the melody
Randy: I think that is one of your best vocals, dude
Paula: That song is so haunting... lallala... nice performance.
Simon: I would love to have heard it more stripped down. I'm not sure about the last note.


(Got tired of doing this so....)SUMMARY:
Wow-o-wow! Bo was amazing tonight! Vonzell was pretty darn good too. Carrie too. Hmm. Well, I predict Vonzell leaves us.

What I Did This Weekend

I bought my car on Friday afternoon and then my dad took me and Ryan out for dinner at the Savoy Grill in Newark. Then I drove me and Ryan in my new little 'baru down to his parents' house in Hopewell. Yesterday we went to Princeton for the day and then we went to see Ryan's brother row. It was very cool and they WON! At night we went to the movies and saw Unleased - which was awesome. Today we sat by the pool and then went to the outlets in Flemington. And it was Ryan's dad's birthday so we went out for dinner in Frenchtown and then I drove us home to Newark!

Tomorrow bar review begins. Goodbye relaxation. Hello irritation.

Finger Mystery Solved

Now they know whose finger it was!

So, I've been scooting my little 'baru around the town like a happy-zipper. I love love love it!

In more serious news, tomorrow begins the PMBR 6-day bar review. Oh dear ... back to the books.

CAR

I GOT THAT CAR!!! SEE PICTURE BELOW!

MIGHT BE MY CAR

I did my pre-car-shopping-shopping-trip today with Ryan. After much deliberation, we realized that it makes no sense at all to buy a used Subaru. They are only about 3k less than a new one. And not under a warranty! Duh!
So we're going back tomorrow with my dad (because I wanted to include him because it seems like something a dad does) and hopefully get the car. Here is a picture of the car (not the EXACT CAR) but the same year, model, and color.

Grothenthrote

'Idol' Finalist Fedorov Lucky to Be Talking After Being Born With Growth in Throat. The doctors are still investigating where the throat is. Studies reveal that it is somewhere in this region:

More breaking news to follow.

Speaking nothing about pumpkins or floating in one, here is a great picture my friend Chris sent me with little explanation of why he is paddling a big pumpkin. Ah... the mysteries of life...


(If anyone else wants to send me a picture I will post it, with the prerequisite that I find the photo delightful.)

ONE MORE EXAM FOR LAW SCHOOL

TODAY IS MY LAST EVER LAW SCHOOL EXAM! WHAT A GIGANTIC SIGH OF RELIEF. "OH LAW SCHOOL, YOU HAVE BEEN A CRUEL MASTER!"



In a short time, I get to wear a very puffy purple hat!!!!!

Telling you want you want to hear

What I "figure" that *you* will want to know is THAT I have an exam tomorrow (in American Legal HistorY) and then one the following day (in Estates and Trust Administration) and then my dearie dears --> I'm done. With law school.
(Please note the fun and confusing punctuation.)

Sad news is that I guess I won't be a lawyer yet. I then have to dedicate my entire summer to preparing for an exam that, in an ideal world, I wouldn't have to study that much for because I should have already learned this. And there may be some people who have conveniently retained even an iota of knowledge from the past three years but I will not be one of them because I have what is commonly known as "sieve brain" or for the computer savvy "recycling bin brain." Every semester I fill up my mental shoe boxes carefully organizing them and separating the subjects in preparation for finals. These are the tools in my tool box. (Please note the excessive use of metaphors.) And then at the end of the semester I set fire to them. As a symbol of the purging, I throw out all loose papers associated with the subject -- everything except for the actual case book and a copy of the outline on my computer. Often even class notes get tossed. And so goes my knowledge of the subject.

And that's it. That's all the news. Oh! And I'm buying my first car this week. Wish me luck and much happiness and mobility!

True to Myself

I'm not a hater. So I apologize for the previous post.

BIRD GERHL by Antony and the Johnsons
I am a bird girl
I am a bird girl
I am a bird girl now
I've got my heart
Here in my hands
I've got my heart here in my hands now
And I've been searching
For my wings
I've been searching for my wings some time
I'm gonna be born
Gonna be born into soon the sky
I'm gonna be born into soon the sky
Cause I'm a bird girl
And the bird girls go to heaven
I'm a bird girl and the bird girls can fly
Bird girls can fly
Bird girls can fly
Bird girls can fly

Not the Only One

A mystery poster and Lame Attempt Fan called the following site to my attention. I thought you might want to see that I am not the only one who hates Rachel Ray.

You Decide - Part V

Is Trent Reznor (from NIN) the missing logical genetic step between Owen and Luke Wilson?







And if you don't have an answer or really care - just pick your favorite one. (I'll give you a hint about my answers: they look alike. and i like luke wilson the best.)

LOOZ-A

Look at me! I'm Corey Clark! I'm so upset because I had sex with Paula Abdul! Wah! And she bought me things!

Less Than Precise

I realized based on Meghan's comment that I have disappointed my very small fan-base. I have neglect to discuss that show that I used to blog about. Notice that I am using vague terms so as to not trip up the google ads on top. The ads are the primary reason why I haven't blogged about it. Well, that and I had promised that I wouldn't watch it. But I did. I was satisfied with the results. I hope it will come out to being between the male with the long hair and the female with the blonde hair.

(okay, what am i a loser? i am so concerned about these topic sensitive ads?)

FINE - I WATCHED AMERICAN IDOL. I THOUGHT BO AND CARRIE WERE GREAT THIS WEEK. I AM CHEERING FOR EITHER ONE AND WHO ACTUALLY WINS DOESN'T MATTER ALL THAT MUCH TO ME.

Now that we have this out in the open, did anyone watch the ABC Idol Scandal Show last night? It was truly awful. I actually made me like Paula more. I was thinking maybe she is a very lonely soul. And I feel BAD (and maybe a little MAD) that this dirt bag is promoting an extremely rotten album by risking her reputation.

Mild Procrastination

Today there has only been mild procrastination. The great thing is that as a break I go to the gym. I'm going to be fit as a fiddle.

One of the methods of procrastination today (which is the same as every day - exams or not) is looking on craigslist for apartments (because we're moving to Montclair at the end of July) and to look at furniture. I've seen used mirrors on there and I could use a mirror - I only own one. But I was wondering if maybe I shouldn't buy one used because it might carry around the memories or the imprints of whatever it has seen. And if it is sad or upsetting it might reflect that back into my life. Thoughts?

Last Procrastination

Yeah, that's right. I look pictures of myself with lipstick. Do you wonder how I managed to get through law school?