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!

Miss Ya' Bud

Esq.

Man-skill of the week = passing the bar exam.

Wedding Number 2 - K1 and B

Well friends, as perhaps I've alluded to, last weekend, I traveled approximately 1500 miles (no, seriously) to wedding number three in four weeks. All I have to say is, thank god for ipods, jimmy johns, and diesel fuel...

Seriously though, who would have thunk any part of Michigan was beautiful? I always associated Michigan with Detroit - Detroit is a craphole, ergo, Michigan is a craphole. Well, scratch that thought, because Traverse City and its associated peninsulas are in fact, quite beautiful. Driving through rolling vineyards and cherry orchards is quite soothing after you've been stuck in mind numbing one lane traffic. Add in a cloudless sky and a brilliant blue lake, and you have the makings of an exceptionally quaint wedding weekend.

Which is completely appropriate, since I was in Traverse City to witness - nay, participate in - the nuptials of my two of my very best friends. Again, from all corners of the midwest, the four manboys converged again, by road and by air. And there was much rejoicing. There was also much merrymaking, though not quite to the level experienced a few weeks previously. All in all, things kept in check, which, all things considered, was probably okay. After all, the wedding was at noon this time...

Anyways, a beautiful ceremony was held in a beautiful yard, attached to a beautiful home, right on the beautiful shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. I think the best word to describe everything would be, hmm, let me think - beautiful. K2 seemed disappointed that I didn't cry, but I thought about it. As my friend stood and said his vows, I was incredibly happy, and couldn't help but beam myself.

Oddly enough, I felt proud - yes, pride is the best descriptor. Not that he wasn't mature to begin with, but here was a man who had matured considerably through the years. In college, I looked up to him as someone who I could live vicariously through. He lived the life, and had the personality, that I often so desperately wanted. Now, I look up to him as one of the few who have found exactly what they want, and made the commitment which is the natural progression of initial desire. I was proud to be the best man of someone like that, much less the friend of someone like that.

Reception after reception followed, and the three manboys not being married at that particular moment stuck together in unity, doing our best to converse politely with the locals. Often, I would get a tap on the shoulder and be asked if I was the "doctor - or wait, are you the physicist?" I would apologize and reply with "No, I'm actually the lawyer," and then watch as a friendly smile would turn to a steely gaze. Not really - that's a lie. But seriously, it's like a bad joke. A doctor, lawyer, physicist, and trombone professor walk into a bar...

Speaking of bad jokes, I also got to unleash my public speaking skills on an unsuspecting public with a carefully practiced PG-13 rated toast. Actually, that's a lie - I pretty much winged it on an outline. Hard not to get some laughs when the climax is four professional students group hugging without pants. No pants, no problem.

Eventually, the three of us were left to our own devices, and took in dinner at a Mexican restaurant and a showing of the movie "Drive." At dinner, we learned that a particular manboy is feeling inadequately masculine, and is looking to learn more "skills" in order to become more of a man. This of course led to a brainstorming session of manly skills to learn, such as bear hunting, kung fu, evasive driving, and home repair skills. Needless to say, the list is ongoing.


Poker skills, anyone?

I could recount everything, but that would be beside the point. Again, I was thankful for good friends, and happy to be amongst a group of men that know and understand me intimately. Some people have wondered whether I regretted it, now that half the manboys are married. I get asked whether something will now be missing - perhaps innocence, perhaps that sense of freeform masculine adventure, perhaps a constant, desperate attempt to relive glory days.

I don't think so though. I enjoy seeing everyone grow up, seeing everyone learn about themselves, the world, and how they fit into it. I don't think real friendship is grounded in a time and place. It seems to me, real friends are adaptable. At least, I think I'll stick with that.

Congrats again.