Soon

Sorry my posting has been so sporadic lately, but two 20 page research papers have zapped my desire to blog. I’ve spent many hours banging away on my keyboard, and the last thing I want to do at the end of a long day is sit down and type more. But today I will hand in one paper. And tomorrow, whether I like it or not, I will hand in the other. And the MN Life will return to its regularly scheduled rants, raves, and rambling.

I’ve got pictures to post and a law school summary to write. Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks I will find the time to write my masterpiece. I have many people to thank, many friends to be thankful for, and many classmates to recognize for their contributions to the law school experience.

Forever in Blue Jeans

I hate shopping for pants, jeans especially. I’ve been lucky enough to spend roughly 90% of my waking life in jeans. Therefore, I’m more than a little particular about my jean specifications. And the older I get, the harder it is to find a decent pair of jeans.

Monday I spent 2+ hours at the Rosedale Mall, and by the Rosedale Mall I mean the whole damn mall. I covered the department stores and all the trendy high-schoolish shops in between. I was on a mission; I bounced from the racks to fitting rooms with reckless abandon.

While at Marshal Fields, I wondered if President Bush was shopping. A number of the salespeople in Menswear appeared to be no-so-undercover Secret Service officers. They were decked-out in black suits with Federal agent style earpieces and radios. (One, even sported MIB shades to complete the look.) Who knew retail could look so dangerous?

A little later, I was enjoying hassle-free shopping at Express (surprising enough) and found a pair of clearance jeans to try-on. I found salesperson and she unlocked the fitting room. I had just pulled my pants down when I hear the door shake and the salesperson announce:

“Here are a couple of T-shirts on sale right now… 2 for $29.95.”

Now I’m not a prude, but is it appropriate to up-sell to a person while his or her pants are down?

I moved on…

At the Buckle I realized one of my worst fears: I’m officially old. (or maybe just fat, either way its not good) Like most of my shopping endeavors I wandered in and began fumbling-through the stacks of jeans. A blonde teenage salesperson approached me and asked if she could help me find anything.

“No I’m fine, just looking around thank you.” I replied.

“Well, up here in the front are all the slim fit pants.” Blondie continues: “As you go further toward the back, there are jeans with a fuller-leg-fit.” (Motioning toward the back, as if to say I should look back there. I perceived just a hint of condescension in her voice)
Great… either I’ve officially become old or am fat according to “The Buckle standard.”

So I waddled to the back, only to find that torn jeans now sell for $80 a pair. This struck me as ironic. Over the weekend I put a hole in one of my favorite pairs of jeans, which prompted my trip to the mall in the first place.

This gave me an idea. If they whole “lawyer-thing” doesn’t work out, I’ve discovered a new profession…I’ll become a “Professional Jeans-wearer.”

I’ll buy cheap “plain” jeans, wear them for a couple of months, and turn-around and sell them at a 100% mark-up. A rock-solid business plan, don’t you think? I mean what could possibly go wrong? I’ll be a millionaire in no time.

In the end I found a pair of DKNY jeans (without holes) for $19.99 at Herberger’s. And there was much rejoicing… yay.

Fighting Mondales Friggin' Rule

There was a grudge match last Friday night at Ridder Arena. The Fighting Mondales mixed-it-up with the Fighting Eelpout of Billy Mitchell. (Or Bitchell for short) Good times were had by all, even though the Mondales came-up on the short end of the final tally.

I’m ashamed to admit that this was the first time I was able to watch the pride of Mondale Hall in action. But as a kid I was hit in the head with a hockey puck (explains a lot), it instilled an unnatural fear of small black rubber disks and men in breezers. Actually, I’ve always been jealous of hockey players. Basketball is fun, but as a Minnesotan hockey will always have special place in my heart. Most people would admit they wish they could play hockey, the rest are lying.

Suyo, Gates, Sven, Kris, Katie and I were chilln’ in the seats and the Mondales were entertaining on the ice. Leishman made a hell of a move to score the first Mondale goal. It was quite crafty.


There was even a dust-up midway through the game. Any time a couple of rivals square-off you are bound to have a little ‘tussel,’ it’s an indispensable element.



I want to send a shout-out to all my fellow 3Ls on the team: Freeman, Hanson, Reif, Schultz, Drewes, Widstrom, Olson, Leishman, Homuth, VanOverbeke, DeCourcy, Swenson, Klug, and Kytola.

For More Pics and Mondale Info Click Here

* Photos by Suyo
* Thank you Jeff for sending me the pics

Where Does the Time Go?

I guess it has been a while since I’ve posted. … It’s not you, it’s me.

A. I did not plan my sixth semester schedule very well. I have two seminars, each require a 20 page research paper. Therefore, because I’ve been banging away on my keyboard like a trained monkey for the better part of the last two weeks, I haven’t had much of a desire to blog.

B. The weather has been perfect lately, the golf courses are open, and I’ve already managed to play 27 holes. That’s six less hours of free time available for blogging. (I like blogging, but I love golfing... even when I shoot 102)

C. I’ve been a little burned-out on blogging. It’s just a little general malaise, nothing serious. No one will be able to stop me once the “inspirado” gets flowing again. (Even if you wanted to)

+ One interesting news note: Church program won't care for woman who once was a man

I’ve been leery of faith-based social programs from the beginning, especially because Bush was a cheerleader. Now, don’t get me wrong, having the benefit of a parochial education myself, I understand the advantages of faith-based programs. A strong and genuine faith can inspire dedication, unselfishness, honor, and respect. It is easier to work hard toward a goal, if you believe there is a higher purpose or reward for your endeavors.

BUT...

Unfortunately, the same faith that can inspire grace and altruism can also spawn hate and intolerance. It strikes me as intensely hypocritical for a religious organization to simultaneously conduct outreach missions and yet to turn away a needy individual solely because they have an outward condition that prevents them from hiding their “sin.” I wonder if Trinity Lutheran Church refused other vulnerable adults because they were liars, foul-mouthed punks, or chronic masturbators.

Unless a faith-based organization is willing to show all comers the same level of care and grace, stay-out of the social service industry. I heartily applaud the efforts of all those who offer care and patience, regardless of any patient’s perceived “worthiness.” They deserve our support and praise, but rarely get enough of either. It never ceases to amaze me how many “Christians” get hung-up on certain inane doctrinal details and fail to grasp Jesus’ overall message of love and acceptance.

I apologize for ranting about a touchy subject, but when I saw this story I knew it would bother me until I vented.

+ COMING SOON: Pictures from The Fighting Mondales – Fighting Eelpout showdown last Friday night.

"Like Carson Daily says… on the TeeVee"

I really enjoy “My Name is Earl.” Can’t say I’m a religious viewer, but I catch it when I can. It has a great premise, the acting is spot-on, and the writing is better than you would expect for a sitcom. “Earl” deftly blends the comedic and the poignant.

For those who haven’t seen it, “Earl” is a show about karma. Earl, played by Jason Lee, wakes up in a hospital bed and has a revelation. Earl realizes that he has been a shyster his whole life and he needs to make amends for his karmic debt. The revelation was spurred by Carson Daily comments on karma.

Sometimes things happen that are hard to understand without factoring in some sort of karmic explanation. I’m not a Buddhist, but the law of karma is intuitively satisfying for both the heart and mind. Karma’s fundamental appeal is reflected through its theoretical reverberations within the teachings of numerous religions and spiritual dogmas.

Last night Ambular and I witnessed pure karmic irony.

We pulled-up behind a red Chevy Blazer. The SUV had obviously been in an accident. The entire bumper and some of the lower body had been crumpled, the damage was consistent with a rear-end collision.

I look a little closer through the rain and notice a small red bumper sticker…

I’m not tailgating…I’m DRAFTING.

MMMMmmmm A New Weakness

Oh Ben and Jerry… you’ve done it again. Just when I had overcome my obsession with “Cherry Garcia” and “Chubby Hubby,” you unveil your newest (and best) assault on my waistline.

Vermonty Python

My new ice cream obsession is coffee liquor flavored ice cream with chocolate cookie crumbs and fudge cows. (Not sure what the cows are all about… but they are delicious.)

The next time you are hit with the urge for decadent sweets, check it out. And buy two containers, because one will not be enough.