LAW SCHOOL: DAY 3

Here we are: into day three already and things are really starting to get going. Introductions are over, people are getting a taste of the Socratic method and faces have been turned red. There is already an automatic, unspoken rule that requires that once one of your classmates suffers the unleashing of the aforementioned Socratic method's face reddening quality other members of the class are to "build him up" again. The professor I had imagined bringing the more difficult experience delivered on of the most exciting discussion. (I really hate to call it lecture because it was much more participatory than a lecture, and inspired more thought than talking to slides -- I'm beginning to think I really got ripped off in my undergrad experience right now.) On the other hand the, or so we thought, easier going professor was not quite the easier going. The bearer of the brunt of the exercise handled it well, and did not appear to lose his composure, however, I'm guessing he wouldn't have objected to an adjournment mid-retort. It is my feeling said student will do well, and can rest easy knowing his time under the hot lamp is over, for as the rule goes, you don't get called upon more than once. On my side of the aisle, complicating life further, is the decision to leave my job so that I can spend more time with my family and better concentrate on my studies... I have been with the company for near five years and have benefited much from them. They, however, have done little to accommodate my current needs. Balancing the three issues clearly shows work is the expendable. Starting the separation does not feel easy -- primarily due to a number of financial benefits. If money weren't nice it would be easier.

LAW SCHOOL: DAY 2

Today was the second day of law school, and it went quite well - much like the first day. I have Civil Procedure, and Legal Research and Writing on Tuesdays and Thursdays (Torts and Contracts on Mondays and Wednesdays). Civil Procedure is taught by a professor who has been with the school for a long time, and who really makes the lecture move well. The research class is directed, more or less, by a recent grad who is still waiting to hear the results of his bar exam. I think the research class will go well too, and having direct access to a recent grad, who was also part of the law review journal, should be beneficial. Again, the theme seems to be reading and more reading a law student will be. No kidding, I've probably read more in this first few days than I had in entire semesters of undergrad work. Computer Science probably tends more toward literature that describes a process or theory, and the law tends toward literature that describes more literature (e.g. judicial prose called opinion, dissent, etc.). At this point I'd say progress is good, and I think I have already identified "the gunner," or "jackass," and am pleased to report it isn't me.

LAW SCHOOL: DAY 1

Yesterday was the first day of law school. There was most certainly fear in the air, and I think that most people are just overacting (especially this early in the game - save it for finals). So far as I can tell the greatest difficulty will be keeping up in the reading. Not something I have been known for - not that I don't read quickly, it's just that I don't always read. That is the change I'm going to have to make in my studying, and I plan on leaving my laptop in its bag during class. I just can't be trusted around it - ADD kicks in and next thing you know I'm curious about some API that will download live stock quotes, including quotes from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (I may have already even started the Perl code at some point.) Back to the point: school is off to a start, and I have the rest of my semester classes today. I don't think that this will be too bad - there is so much hype about law school, especially the first year, and I don't think it is always deserved. Or maybe my undergrad was such a kick in the pants... maybe I'm just speculating too much - it is the first day after all.