Thanksgiving 2011

Hello folks - happy thanksgiving. The point was made to me last night, that on the balance, we are people who are reticent to be thankful. I often times am so caught up with things, that I forget how richly I have been blessed. So, this Thanksgiving, as per my usual, I am taking a moment to thank God for the things that have meant most in 2011. Therefore, in no particular order, this year's list.

1. For 14 years spent with my gentlemanly dog Buddy, who passed away this year. You knew me best sir, and you are sorely missed.

2. My parents, who have graciously allowed me to stay with them these past three years.

3. The chance to spend summer days and evenings outside, watching Twins baseball with close friends

4. My smarter, better looking, more well liked, and nicer girlfriend

5. The color blue

6. Graduating from law school, personality intact

7. The friendship of the "manboys," and being able to share the important moments in their lives

8. Coffee in a mug

9. Passing the bar exam

10. Having a job I enjoy

11. Music - making it, and listening to it

12. Good health

13. For having been able to go to Hong Kong and represent my school, state, and country

14. My grandma, my aunt and uncle, my cousins, and everyone else

15. For friends from Hamline

16. Good beer - brewing it, drinking it, and the conversations that flow therefrom

17. Khaki pants from the gap (sorry, this is materialistic, but they are so damn comfortable)

18. Having my own place to live

19. Learning to cook

20. Going skiing in Colorado

21. Long, hot, sunny summer days with sandals

22. Being tested in the BWCAW

23. Sharp winter days

24. Being young, and alive, and in a beautiful city

25. Bob Dylan on a fall morning (current activity)

26. New friends

27. Daily flossing

28. Even numbers

29. Tacos

30. Donuts

31. Being Minnesotan

32. For still having hair

33. Silence

34. This song



35. Not living with a cat(s)

36. Having leisure time

37. Being able to go back to my high school and help with mock trial

38. Interesting conversations

39. Riding my bike in the country

Happy thanksgiving everyone. I hope everyone has a thoughtful day, and remembers everything they are thankful for.

Mock Trial

In a moment of temporary insanity while perusing the Minnesota State Bar Association website, I found myself looking at a list of area high schools still looking for an attorney coach for this year's mock trial competition. Imagine my surprise when I noticed my alma mater, Farmington High School, on the list.

You all see where this is going...

So yes, nearly 7 and a half years after I last stepped foot in Farmington High School, I will now return on Thursday as a leader of men, er, 30 young mock trialers. I suppose I was compelled to do this as a matter of empathy - as a product of the FHS mock trial squad (2000-2004) - I barely ever had the benefit of an attorney coach, and even at the time, I realized the disadvantage that caused us. Perhaps I was also compelled as a matter of loyalty, which is of course the most important thing. There are certainly more glamorous schools to coach mock trial at.

It made me recall my own years in mock trial. Oddly enough, I never was a lawyer - even the two years I participated at Luther. We were never really all that good - we didn't advance in the regional rounds that I remember, and after my first two years, we were effectively without a coach. We had to coach ourselves.

I can't say I left high school with grand ambitions to be a lawyer, and I wouldn't hope the same for any participants. The point is, to learn about the legal system and to learn the art of storytelling. I warned the adviser that I'm the least experienced lawyer she could get, and still be a real attorney, but I think I can help. One has to think that three years of legal education would allow me to impart some wisdom to a 17 year old...

If I survive, that is.

11/11/11

Turn it up to 11 folks...

For further reading pleasure, check out NPR Music's blog on Nigel Tufnel Day.

Leaving the Nest

Folks, I am on a journey - a new journey. Having shed law school, having shed the bar exam, I am ready to attack the world. To do that, I need two things.

First, I need a job. I can confidently say I now have one of those - yes. (As a sidenote, the title "attorney at law" does have a nice ring to it.)

Second, I need a place to live that doesn't involve my parents' (plural) basements. Not that I am unappreciative of the past three years' rent free living - I am. All things considered (minus the cats), it's been a remarkably undramatic three years, and I am very thankful for everything I was given. But at 25 years old, it is time to spread my wings and fly. And if that involves learning how to bake chicken, I will learn. Frankly, I better learn, because man cannot live by ham sandwiches and nutella alone.

Anyways, I'm happy to say that of TODAY, I am officially renting an apartment. Starting TOMORROW, I will domicile there. And it will be good. Of course, I realized today that I lack many of the basic things that separate humans from animals - basic hygiene products, toilet paper, etc. But I can get these things - I will. It may be a small space, but by tomorrow, it will have a bed, couch, internet, and a coffeemaker - all the necessities of life.

So, everyone come on over!