California is beautiful. You would be a fool to not recognize that clear and outright. But, facing the truth, it doesn't seem that my mind/heart/whatever sappy thing you want to say has never really left EST.

We'll see.

P.S.

I am royally sick of hearing about the division of black and female voters.

I'm sorry, I know it's really nice for those crotchety commentators to break it down into something so rudimentary, but, let's be serious, is it really going to be a death match between my ovaries and the color of my skin?

I like how it has nothing to do with anything I think about the voting records and/or what is coming out of these people's mouths. I wish someone would just haul off and smack Tim Russert in the mouth the next time he says it. And, by someone, I do mean Ann Curry.

Today has the makings of a great day. I know, I know. It's too early in 2008 to have a day already up for contention as The Greatest Day of the Year.

I mean, not only are the Patriots about to stomp the Giants (with a Michigan quarterback, no less), but Tom Petty is playing the half-time show! And not only has it stopped raining (for the moment, at least), but I am about to run to a supposedly fantabulous used bookstore while I'm waiting for the game to start.

Holler, Sunday, February 2nd! Or, third, I mean.

Life in the corporate lane really is something different. Today feels like the Friday I've been waiting to arrive for the last month--except today is Thursday and that still leaves another day (but at least I get to wear jeans, right?). Two luncheons in one week may not seem like that much, but it is somehow. Maybe this cold really isn't gone yet, but I am past taking that cheap cough syrup that tastes like absinthe gone sour.

I have gorgeous flowers sitting on the kitchen table that is awful and we need to replace. I easily soaked myself trying to not break it while opening the front gate.

And I'm counting down the hours to the Super Bowl and a Michigan QB making dreams come true. I just hope to god he looks at that camera and says he's going to Disneyland once the deed is done.

Travel plans

Dec. 24-27: San Diego
[Dec. 27: San Francisco (1L reception in the office at 5:30, land in SFO at 11:30)]
Dec. 28 - Jan. 6: Boston (arrive at the airport at 5:36 AM on Dec. 29)
[Jan. 7: San Francisco--back in the office]


Jan. 28: Day conference in SF
End of Feb.: New professionals conference in Rhode Island


Weekends to plan trips: Presidents' Day, Memorial Day--Fourth of July is too far away. Memorial Day seems best spent in Michigan and the Fourth and all its amazingness, not really sure yet. Not sure at all.

I'm not sure why my love of pro football is only kicking in this year--probably because I was too blinded by the amazingness of college ball previously. I honest to god want to watch the draft this year so I know who I should be most excited about in the following year. I will faithfully watch and wait for Henne, Long and Hart to get a chance to play.

Ideally, the Raiders or 9ers would get better so that I can have a team that I love out here and not have to look all the way to Boston.

There's something so pure about a good game, or a dedicated team that's taken a turn around. Look at the Bills this year. And, of course, look that the Pats. I know everyone just wants to hate on them left and right, but it's just not possible. Listening to Belichick talk is just nice. He comments against the tough things that they are better discussed later and leaves it at that. He is everything that a coach is supposed to be, let's not lie.

So enough Patriots hating, peoples. Although, I'll admit, I think part of my love of them is coming from the simple fact that they are the Patriots--they have the little dudes on the helmets and I am in the midst of a huge American history and politics love session that's been going on for a few months now. Really though, we all know it's because they have a Michigan QB.



The simplicity and beauty of sports is waning and it breaks my heart. The naming of stadiums after corporate companies is disgusting and makes me not want to like them so much anymore--or the harassment of women at the Giants (the Jets) stadium. Or the players who murder dogs, or abuse significant others. But when you can watch a perfectly executed game, the underdog come up to win, a perfect season, then sometimes the world seems a little bit better. I know, I know--talk about all ridiculous statements, but you really can't deny the quiet ring of truth there.


One thing I do know is that I'm going to buy that damn NFL Network package next year. RIDICULOUS that I can't watch all the games! I don't want to watch these stupid no name bowls that are sponsored by companies I've never heard of. Give me back the Citrus Bowl, you dicks.

let the drummer kick

So excited! Just bought my ticket to see SMA for christmas! Talk about the best christmas yet! San Diego! Never been there before!


You can tell I'm excited because my hands don't recognize any punctuation beyond exclamation points.

Each year, christmas gets better. I think I'm destined to spend the next one with Awesome reincarnated or something, the way this is going.

Fly there after work on the 24th, come back early morning of the 27th (land in SFO by noon). Go into work for our 1L reception (5:30 - 7:30), wine and dine those clueless first years, then go home and CRASH.

I'm debating going back to Michigan for new years since it's that big weekend off. Haven't really been there for a while--when I was there last, it was more of a stop through on my way out to California. Not too much of seeing people and being places. I keep saying I don't want to go back while the snow is there, but I miss the snow like I'd miss breathing--if I wasn't, you know? So basically, my snow talk is full of lies. Lies!


I want to walk through the law quad while it's snowing, want to stop through the arb, grab a pint at conor o'neils and/or abc, get my grub on with my gma and see the parentals. I want to go to freaking West Park, and get some donuts from the Washtenaw Dairy. I want to go stand on the B, then go stand on the M.


Will talk to the boss when she returns (from Italia! so jealous!) on Tuesday and then will talk to the parents to see if they'd like to gift themselves me for new years.




I'm not feeling California so much as of late. Keep thinking about the fabulous life of the east coast--their fantastic sports, the snow, the accents, people realizing others are standing around them.... I know I have to give the whole west coast thing a bit more of a chance. It will get better, this much I know.

I heart my apartment and my roommate is fantabulous. My boss is great, even though my job can be a bit boring as of late (although it will pick up again and be ten million kinds of awesome once the summer rolls around).

I was alerted to the fact last night that I have been mispronouncing Oregun my whole life. A misspent youth, mispronouncing the game where I forged a river at a very young age and learned the lesson of loss when a few oxen couldn't quite make it, or that dysentery is something that can kill you.



I think the most fantastic thing about recruitment are the people that you come across, or the yummy dinners that you treat everyone (most importantly, yourself) to in fine, fine establishments that are sometimes even too hipster for the most hip of us. (I just thank god that last night was an actual real meal and not some toothpick-sized portions as you would see on a Bravo favorite of everyone, Top Chef.)

The worst thing, however, is that sometimes you don't always win and these people pick other places. I'm not a gambler, so I don't fancy that part as much as others.

Oft times, I like to think of myself as an "awesome magnet" so we'll see what happens with a few of these recruits. Ok, that was all tongue-in-cheek. Don't worry, guys, I do realize that people make the choices off the establishment and not the awesome, fantabulous recruiters--otherwise, our summer class would have been thrice filled.