CASE BOOK QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The contribution of ducks to the common law system has been limited, but significant[...]."

From A.W. Brian Simpson, Leading Cases in the Common Law, as printed in Dukeminier, Property (6th).

FINALS

Today I am hiding out in the library, buried in contract, property and tort notes. Property goes down first, and I feel like I have a strong command of it. I'm going to so some solo studying today, and group tomorrow and Sunday.

BARRISTER'S BALL

Last Friday was Barrister's Ball, which is often referred to as law school prom. It is a good chance to visit with your classmates and professors in a relaxed social setting. You also get to hear your name if you just so happen to have made it to the double octa finals in freshman moot court. (Those who do better than that get that honor too.) We had a nice night, met up with some friends, and chatted with my contract's professor a bit. It's my plan to go next year.

CLUTCH

These guys just rock.

UPDATE

About 2 weeks of school left in this semester. I'm busy doing outlines. That's how we study, outlining, it's a little different.

GUESS WHAT

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY INSOLENT CLASSMATES

In recent days I have become increasingly annoyed by you. I have always been very slow to judge people, and have always thought all people will impress me given enough time. However, I'm beginning to think that it is time to cut my losses and accept fact: you may make up a minority of people who refuse to remove your ass-hats and be somewhat reasonable.

Respect is a two way street. If you would quit being so obtuse and realized that you need to give a little to get a little, life might be a little better for you. At least your peers would really appreciate you for it (we may even begin to respect you). To get you started let me just point out a few things:

• Don't interrupt anybody (especially when the interruptee is answering your question)
• Only schmucks ask questions that have already been answered
• Please save questions for the end means shut up and don't ask questions until the end

It may not be obvious to you that these three little things are really just one (listening). Respect and listening are very closely related. Your lack of understanding how this whole deal works has really given others (those who do understand) a reason to wish for your misfortune (and possibly demise). (Academic misfortune and academic demise, of course.)

Finally, you may (or may not) understand that you enjoy association with professional people. People undeserving of your poisonous reputation. We all pay the same tuition as you do. Most of us would like to make it through school with a little resistance as possible and get a job. A job that will pay well enough to pay back all the money we have borrowed to get there. If that doesn't sound like you please keep to yourself -- you do not represent us!

Please, don't completely ruin my faith in you, impress me.

P.S. If you don't understand what I'm talking about, it is time for you to start looking around, listening, and apologizing.

INDIA

You ever wonder what is going on in India?

• Baby With 2 Faces Born in North India
• World's smallest girl proud of her tiny size
• My looney bun is fine and Nipple, Nipple.

Could it be?

LISTENING TO...

"Ghosts I - IV" (Nine Inch Nails)

This is my new study music. 36 tracks, all instrumental.

WHAT WOULD SCALIA DO?

Yesterday Justice Scalia came to St Mary's for a bit of a Q&A session. I really enjoyed his talk, even if he was a bit cantankerous (actually I especially enjoyed that part). Wikipedia says this: "Justice Scalia is a vigorous proponent of textualism in statutory interpretation and originalism in constitutional interpretation, and a passionate critic of the idea of a Living Constitution." Which is pretty much the way he introduced himself. I do tend to agree with his philosophy in this area too. We are a democracy, and most laws should be made by the majority. Not, as he said, by nine lawyers. It was very cool to get to see someone as important in our government as he -- too bad it doesn't happen more often!

INNSBRUCK

Law schools often host a program abroad, and St Mary's is no exception. It happens in Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria at the University of Innsbruck and is called the Institute on World Legal Problems. This year it features Chief Justice John Roberts. The program runs from July 7 to August 8. I signed up, payed my seat deposit, and have been working on getting travel things together to go. Mostly I'm looking forward to getting a chance to meet the Chief Justice and make a few day trips in the area. I will probably be flying into Munich, Germany, and doing a little sight seeing before it all begins, you know to get the lay of the land. The plan is to see Berlin, Paris, Vienna before school starts. After that I want to hit parts if Italy, Switzerland and a few other surrounding countries on the free weekends I'll have. I don't even really know what to take, or what exactly I'll do when I'm not studying, but I will be sure to bring a camera.

SO MUCH FOR NO MERCY

I take full credit for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I don't know what happened. I froze. My command of the issues was gone. After eight minutes I was out of material. We lost by one point.