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Monday, April 25, 2005
Day One
Almost 24 hours of travel, and I'm here.
Le Petit Place, Arras
I left Montreal at about 8 pm, local time. Flew for 6 hours, into the London sunrise.
6 hours of travel
- meals
- take off and landing
= 4 hours of sleep.
Arrived at 7:30, local time.
Bleary-eyed, I staggered off the plane and onto an airport bus. There's something wrong with a building so large it takes 10 minutes to drive from one entrance to another.
It took another 10 minutes of standing in the passport lines for me to realize I was in the wrong place. Sigh.
The customs officer was surprised to hear I was travelling through England to France: it is a bit of a hike, but it saved me at least 100$ CDN.
Met up with the massive Luggage, which soon came to resemble a massive anchor. Found a bank machine which, merciful God!, took my bank card. Withdrew the 50 pounds it would take to leave England.
I navigated the Luggage through the London Underground, from Heathrowe to Waterloo. I arrived an hour before the next Eurostar was leaving for Lille via the Chunnel. I just love that word. Chunnel.
For the record, the Eurostar has the nicest, best, wonderfullest people working for it. While I was negotiating the steps to my coach a kind man in uniform came forward to assist. Remember this man. He is the manager. We get to know him a little better, later.
The train pulls out of the station at 10:30 AM. I started to munch on the humongeous lunch Bonnie and Grandmama had packed for me... was it just the day before? As soon as I had some food in me, I was drifting off to sleep...
Continued:
When the train manager announced we were pulling into Lille I sat up and started wrestling the luggage out of the rack. Then I waited. Patiently. The train had pulled into the station, but the door wasn't opening...
When I heard the tone that announced an iminent departure, I started to panic. I asked the girl next to me: how do I open this door?
Point of Information: the doors on the Eurostar must be opened by the passenger. You have to push a button to 0pen the door. It will not open on its own.
But by the time the concerned girl and I were pushing the button, it was too late. They were starting to close the train.
So I dropped the luggage, dashed to the dining car and explained to the waiters that I was, well, buggered.
They called the train manager, and he rushes in, recognizing me as that daft girl with the enormous luggage. As soon as I explained that Lille was, in fact, my final destination he reached for his radio to stop the train...but we were just starting to pull out.
Ugh.
"Why didn't you get off the train? Were you asleep?"
"No!" I exclaim, "I didn't push the button!"
"What?"
"I'm Canadian" says I, pointing to my CANADA Sloan shirt, "we don't open train doors in Canada! They open all on their own"
He leans against the car walls and sighs heavily. "We're going to have to think of something better than that".
I guess I looked pretty crestfallen, since he started to reassure me. "Don't worry, we'll get you off the next stop. Where are you going?"
"Lille...I mean, Arras"
He tells me to get back to my seat, he'll find me.
Which is where I am, 15 minutes, when he tells me the next stop for the Eurostar is Bruxells.
Brussels! Isn't that in Belgium?! How the hell did I wind up on a train for another, 3rd country?
"Don't worry" he tells me, "the next train will take you to Lille. You'll be in Arras by 4:30, see?"
This is a good 3 hours after my original arrival time. But he's managed to take care of my return ticket, free of charge, so I thank him.
Which is how I wound up in Brussles, trailing the luggage, which has by now begun to feel like a medieval torture device. I'm looking for a bank machine, two blocks away from the train station. I have 3 pounds in my pocket and no Euros. The first bank machine I found is broken. I am cursing the Belgians. Damn Belgians.
But I find a machine, take Euros out and head back to the station. I buy a belgian phone card, which I still have today, but I can't reach Sandra to tell her when I'll be arriving. I worry, but try not to let myself panic too much. It'll be alright. I should enjoy this adventure.
By the time I'm back on the Eurostar my lack of sleep is catching up with me. In Lille it gets even worse: I must buy a student discount card before I buy my train tickets, and I find my supply of Euros is not quite enough. I see more of Lille, looking for another bank machine.
Finally I have a ticket to Arras and a "carte 12-25", the best discount card in the world.
On the train to Arras I doze. I am so tired that I blink and have dreams. I just want to sleep! Turns out Jacqueline was sitting in the same car, laughing a bit at my sorry state.
I get off the train, met by Brendan and Paul [wow. What a combo: the sarcastic hilarity of Paul and the bulk of Brendan, a past QMJHL player. He lifts my luggage with ease].
I check into the "hostile", and start to meet the guides. We have supper, consisting of an enormous salad with warm tuna. I tell them the story of Belgium.
When we get back to the hostile, just before falling into an exhausted sleep, I dig my camera out and start snapping pictures.
Le Petit Place, Arras
I left Montreal at about 8 pm, local time. Flew for 6 hours, into the London sunrise.
6 hours of travel
- meals
- take off and landing
= 4 hours of sleep.
Arrived at 7:30, local time.
Bleary-eyed, I staggered off the plane and onto an airport bus. There's something wrong with a building so large it takes 10 minutes to drive from one entrance to another.
It took another 10 minutes of standing in the passport lines for me to realize I was in the wrong place. Sigh.
The customs officer was surprised to hear I was travelling through England to France: it is a bit of a hike, but it saved me at least 100$ CDN.
Met up with the massive Luggage, which soon came to resemble a massive anchor. Found a bank machine which, merciful God!, took my bank card. Withdrew the 50 pounds it would take to leave England.
I navigated the Luggage through the London Underground, from Heathrowe to Waterloo. I arrived an hour before the next Eurostar was leaving for Lille via the Chunnel. I just love that word. Chunnel.
For the record, the Eurostar has the nicest, best, wonderfullest people working for it. While I was negotiating the steps to my coach a kind man in uniform came forward to assist. Remember this man. He is the manager. We get to know him a little better, later.
The train pulls out of the station at 10:30 AM. I started to munch on the humongeous lunch Bonnie and Grandmama had packed for me... was it just the day before? As soon as I had some food in me, I was drifting off to sleep...
Continued:
When the train manager announced we were pulling into Lille I sat up and started wrestling the luggage out of the rack. Then I waited. Patiently. The train had pulled into the station, but the door wasn't opening...
When I heard the tone that announced an iminent departure, I started to panic. I asked the girl next to me: how do I open this door?
Point of Information: the doors on the Eurostar must be opened by the passenger. You have to push a button to 0pen the door. It will not open on its own.
But by the time the concerned girl and I were pushing the button, it was too late. They were starting to close the train.
So I dropped the luggage, dashed to the dining car and explained to the waiters that I was, well, buggered.
They called the train manager, and he rushes in, recognizing me as that daft girl with the enormous luggage. As soon as I explained that Lille was, in fact, my final destination he reached for his radio to stop the train...but we were just starting to pull out.
Ugh.
"Why didn't you get off the train? Were you asleep?"
"No!" I exclaim, "I didn't push the button!"
"What?"
"I'm Canadian" says I, pointing to my CANADA Sloan shirt, "we don't open train doors in Canada! They open all on their own"
He leans against the car walls and sighs heavily. "We're going to have to think of something better than that".
I guess I looked pretty crestfallen, since he started to reassure me. "Don't worry, we'll get you off the next stop. Where are you going?"
"Lille...I mean, Arras"
He tells me to get back to my seat, he'll find me.
Which is where I am, 15 minutes, when he tells me the next stop for the Eurostar is Bruxells.
Brussels! Isn't that in Belgium?! How the hell did I wind up on a train for another, 3rd country?
"Don't worry" he tells me, "the next train will take you to Lille. You'll be in Arras by 4:30, see?"
This is a good 3 hours after my original arrival time. But he's managed to take care of my return ticket, free of charge, so I thank him.
Which is how I wound up in Brussles, trailing the luggage, which has by now begun to feel like a medieval torture device. I'm looking for a bank machine, two blocks away from the train station. I have 3 pounds in my pocket and no Euros. The first bank machine I found is broken. I am cursing the Belgians. Damn Belgians.
But I find a machine, take Euros out and head back to the station. I buy a belgian phone card, which I still have today, but I can't reach Sandra to tell her when I'll be arriving. I worry, but try not to let myself panic too much. It'll be alright. I should enjoy this adventure.
By the time I'm back on the Eurostar my lack of sleep is catching up with me. In Lille it gets even worse: I must buy a student discount card before I buy my train tickets, and I find my supply of Euros is not quite enough. I see more of Lille, looking for another bank machine.
Finally I have a ticket to Arras and a "carte 12-25", the best discount card in the world.
On the train to Arras I doze. I am so tired that I blink and have dreams. I just want to sleep! Turns out Jacqueline was sitting in the same car, laughing a bit at my sorry state.
I get off the train, met by Brendan and Paul [wow. What a combo: the sarcastic hilarity of Paul and the bulk of Brendan, a past QMJHL player. He lifts my luggage with ease].
I check into the "hostile", and start to meet the guides. We have supper, consisting of an enormous salad with warm tuna. I tell them the story of Belgium.
When we get back to the hostile, just before falling into an exhausted sleep, I dig my camera out and start snapping pictures.
# posted by Spot @ 11:59 p.m.
0 comments
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Frenetic
The pace hasn't slowed down yet, so I'll have to wait to really update, but I'm happy to say: I live in a house now! [And what a house, it's amazing]
I will try to post pictures... but that will probably have to wait 'till my next day off [Thursday].
If you'd like to give me a call, you really should:
from Canada: 011 33 3 21 15 49 90
Ridiculously long number, I know.
Oh, and mail me!
C/O Monument Commemoratif du Canada
62580 <--- sorry, my mistake
Vimy
France
Wish you were here,
Spot
I will try to post pictures... but that will probably have to wait 'till my next day off [Thursday].
If you'd like to give me a call, you really should:
from Canada: 011 33 3 21 15 49 90
Ridiculously long number, I know.
Oh, and mail me!
C/O Monument Commemoratif du Canada
62580 <--- sorry, my mistake
Vimy
France
Wish you were here,
Spot
# posted by Spot @ 1:50 p.m.
0 comments
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Baby, I'm ready to go
Torts has proven to be the hardest exam to study for. Therefore:
I HATE TORTS!
It's actually a relatively easy class. For those of you who are wondering, first year law courses are generally ranked in terms of difficulty as follows:
1. Criminal
2. Property
3. Contracts
4. Public
5. Torts
6. Legal Research and Writing
7. Orientation to Law
Personally I would put Public below Torts, but that's just me. The material in Torts is easier - and our Torts exam is open book - but it's impossible to study. You have to pour definitions onto the page. The A exam last year had 53 pages [53!]. In three hours, that's an average of one page every 3 and a half minutes.
Ouch.
Enough complaining. I have lots to be grateful for: the LSS dinner was Friday, very posh. And Saturday I saw Sin City with Eddie, later followed by the Sodales final party. I feel a little guilty about the breaks, but I suspect I needed it. Going just a little crazy. I'll recover in a few days.
Wish me luck!
I HATE TORTS!
It's actually a relatively easy class. For those of you who are wondering, first year law courses are generally ranked in terms of difficulty as follows:
1. Criminal
2. Property
3. Contracts
4. Public
5. Torts
6. Legal Research and Writing
7. Orientation to Law
Personally I would put Public below Torts, but that's just me. The material in Torts is easier - and our Torts exam is open book - but it's impossible to study. You have to pour definitions onto the page. The A exam last year had 53 pages [53!]. In three hours, that's an average of one page every 3 and a half minutes.
Ouch.
Enough complaining. I have lots to be grateful for: the LSS dinner was Friday, very posh. And Saturday I saw Sin City with Eddie, later followed by the Sodales final party. I feel a little guilty about the breaks, but I suspect I needed it. Going just a little crazy. I'll recover in a few days.
Wish me luck!
# posted by Spot @ 4:58 p.m.
0 comments
Saturday, April 16, 2005
I see you
I was pretty bored the last few weeks, exams, etc. So I've started tracking visitors to the site [hope you don't mind].
I got a hit this week from Puerto Rico. Heh heh. This is what the Spot looks like translated:
http://216.109.124.98/language/translatedPage?tt=url&text=http%3a//spottle.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_spottle_archive.html&lp=en_es&.intl=e1&fr=FP-tab-we
Strange, no?
I got a hit this week from Puerto Rico. Heh heh. This is what the Spot looks like translated:
http://216.109.124.98/language/translatedPage?tt=url&text=http%3a//spottle.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_spottle_archive.html&lp=en_es&.intl=e1&fr=FP-tab-we
Strange, no?
# posted by Spot @ 1:35 a.m.
0 comments
Cigarettes?
It feels like summer's started already. Public went fabulously well, and everyone finally felt relaxed enough to take a break, have a round. We went to My Father's Mustache, though in retrospect we should've gone to the gradhouse.
I'm just back from the second party of the night, the LSS thank-you dinner... and drinks. Pool. It feels wonderful to relax.
I'm a bit silly. Going to try to sleep now :)
I'm just back from the second party of the night, the LSS thank-you dinner... and drinks. Pool. It feels wonderful to relax.
I'm a bit silly. Going to try to sleep now :)
# posted by Spot @ 1:26 a.m.
0 comments
Friday, April 15, 2005
Double Deuce
I had a fight with my roomie this morning. Ick.
It was about money, of course. Damage deposit, to be more precise.
I won't go into the merits of our arguments, as tempting as that is. My rants may be entertaining [FUDU!] but that's because I get to indulge in a one-sided debate.
Instead, I'm trying to take something from it.
In this specific case I wish I hadn't left the deposit 'till now. If we don't have this solved before I leave I kind of deserve it. Should've done it weeks ago.
But in a general sense... I think our fight is a reflection of deeper-seated anxieties. I'm not living with my roomate next year: we got along, but I think I could be happier with someone else. She's a little miffed, and once you're not on good terms with your roomate every_little_thing is suffused with tension.
I now understand the hit-and-run school of switching roomates. You're tempted not to tell the current one until it's almost time to leave, so you don't have to live with their pissiness.
Not that I'm doing that. Hence the tension.
Anyway, looking at the big picture I think I've figured something out about living with people. This is no small decision: it'll really affect your life. Besides, because people are so complex and varied, it's quite ok to recognize that you can be friends with someone, they can be really cool, but you won't make good roomates. It's not that you're better or worse, just different.
I think students are often forced to live with someone they don't know that well, hoping that as the year goes on they will somehow mesh.
Wishful thinking. If you want a really good roomate situation, look around. Who do you spend all your time with? Are you practically living at your friend's house? They should be your roomate. You're close enough that if anything [shared groceries, bills, deposits, noise] comes up you can deal with it amicably. You have a foundation of goodwill. You've gotta work through it: you're friends.
I suspect we had this fight because we both know it's almost over: why bother being civil when it won't matter in a few days?
G_d, I can't wait 'till next year. Angie's full of compromise, and when we disagree it doesn't become personal.
And I'm in love with my other roomate. Mmmmm.
It was about money, of course. Damage deposit, to be more precise.
I won't go into the merits of our arguments, as tempting as that is. My rants may be entertaining [FUDU!] but that's because I get to indulge in a one-sided debate.
Instead, I'm trying to take something from it.
In this specific case I wish I hadn't left the deposit 'till now. If we don't have this solved before I leave I kind of deserve it. Should've done it weeks ago.
But in a general sense... I think our fight is a reflection of deeper-seated anxieties. I'm not living with my roomate next year: we got along, but I think I could be happier with someone else. She's a little miffed, and once you're not on good terms with your roomate every_little_thing is suffused with tension.
I now understand the hit-and-run school of switching roomates. You're tempted not to tell the current one until it's almost time to leave, so you don't have to live with their pissiness.
Not that I'm doing that. Hence the tension.
Anyway, looking at the big picture I think I've figured something out about living with people. This is no small decision: it'll really affect your life. Besides, because people are so complex and varied, it's quite ok to recognize that you can be friends with someone, they can be really cool, but you won't make good roomates. It's not that you're better or worse, just different.
I think students are often forced to live with someone they don't know that well, hoping that as the year goes on they will somehow mesh.
Wishful thinking. If you want a really good roomate situation, look around. Who do you spend all your time with? Are you practically living at your friend's house? They should be your roomate. You're close enough that if anything [shared groceries, bills, deposits, noise] comes up you can deal with it amicably. You have a foundation of goodwill. You've gotta work through it: you're friends.
I suspect we had this fight because we both know it's almost over: why bother being civil when it won't matter in a few days?
G_d, I can't wait 'till next year. Angie's full of compromise, and when we disagree it doesn't become personal.
And I'm in love with my other roomate. Mmmmm.
# posted by Spot @ 12:25 p.m.
0 comments
Thursday, April 14, 2005
E - nough
I have a theory about law students and exams. It's an adaptation of the 7 stages of grief and recovery, which is pretty apt.
It starts with arrogance. It's January, exams are months away, and you say... hey. I'm s-m-r-t. I don't need to start studying yet.
Some weeks later you move on to procrastination. You'd like to study, but you really need to find an apartment / book your flights, etc, etc.
But you can feel the cold breath of March on your neck. It's time for anxiety. Thank goodness, because that finally gets you in the library.
After your first 3 days in the library you encounter boredom. It's important, you know, but damn, you'd like a break.
Too late.... all that procrastinating means you need to go full friggin tilt.
Somewhere in here you might find satisfaction, a sense that you're actually doing what you're supposed to be. Don't get comfortable: it will soon disappear.
Do enough 12 hour library days and you'll get to fatigue. How long can you keep it up? You might not know, having never done this for so long before. Let's hope you know when to sleep, because anxiety makes it possible for you to just.. not.. sleep.
And, finally, after weeks and weeks you will actually feel impatience. You've studied. You've slaved. You've sacrificed. And now you want it to be over today, right now.
Welcome to impatience. I would write both exams today if I could. Hang the preparation: I can't wait for it to be over.
I can't wait for France: something interesting to write about!
It starts with arrogance. It's January, exams are months away, and you say... hey. I'm s-m-r-t. I don't need to start studying yet.
Some weeks later you move on to procrastination. You'd like to study, but you really need to find an apartment / book your flights, etc, etc.
But you can feel the cold breath of March on your neck. It's time for anxiety. Thank goodness, because that finally gets you in the library.
After your first 3 days in the library you encounter boredom. It's important, you know, but damn, you'd like a break.
Too late.... all that procrastinating means you need to go full friggin tilt.
Somewhere in here you might find satisfaction, a sense that you're actually doing what you're supposed to be. Don't get comfortable: it will soon disappear.
Do enough 12 hour library days and you'll get to fatigue. How long can you keep it up? You might not know, having never done this for so long before. Let's hope you know when to sleep, because anxiety makes it possible for you to just.. not.. sleep.
And, finally, after weeks and weeks you will actually feel impatience. You've studied. You've slaved. You've sacrificed. And now you want it to be over today, right now.
Welcome to impatience. I would write both exams today if I could. Hang the preparation: I can't wait for it to be over.
I can't wait for France: something interesting to write about!
# posted by Spot @ 7:25 p.m.
0 comments
Monday, April 11, 2005
I'm an Idiot
Let's pretend that whole "Property" thing never happened.
Oh well. I can hope that everyone else needed another 10 minutes. And maybe my other answers were so good I don't need those last 10-15 points.
*sigh*
Gordon was right: these kinds of exams make you really want to study that much harder for the next one. Very motivational.
Counting blessings: I found a very nice 3 bedroom apartment near school. It might not be around in the fall, but it's really good to see decent apartments [with pools] in my price range. Not hopeless.
I'm going to pour Crim into my head now.
Oh well. I can hope that everyone else needed another 10 minutes. And maybe my other answers were so good I don't need those last 10-15 points.
*sigh*
Gordon was right: these kinds of exams make you really want to study that much harder for the next one. Very motivational.
Counting blessings: I found a very nice 3 bedroom apartment near school. It might not be around in the fall, but it's really good to see decent apartments [with pools] in my price range. Not hopeless.
I'm going to pour Crim into my head now.
# posted by Spot @ 7:38 p.m.
0 comments
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Give Me Shelter
I fell asleep in the library yesterday. On purpose. This is a strange time.
Part of me is enjoying it though. Sudying feels good, when you know it's going somewhere. I abhor too much free time, and I have little enough of it these days.
Choice makes for contentment. I can choose to study the exam I have tomorrow, or Wednesday or Friday... or pack my apartment. All are urgent, productive. All in progress.
I - am - tired! There's so much effort left to go...OK. I can make it.
Property tomorrow. I'm on page 70 of 98 in my review. It's possible. I'm leaving Aboriginal Title and Mortgages 'till the end. I haven't selectively studied like this since my IB exams.
It brings you back.
I miss my parents. They were so kind this weekend: Dad foraged the city for boxes [all from the LC], Mom cleaned everything before we put it away. Cousins have my posessions in their basement. I feel the debt, but it feels comforting. I'm being cared for, and I need it.
Part of me is enjoying it though. Sudying feels good, when you know it's going somewhere. I abhor too much free time, and I have little enough of it these days.
Choice makes for contentment. I can choose to study the exam I have tomorrow, or Wednesday or Friday... or pack my apartment. All are urgent, productive. All in progress.
I - am - tired! There's so much effort left to go...
Property tomorrow. I'm on page 70 of 98 in my review. It's possible. I'm leaving Aboriginal Title and Mortgages 'till the end. I haven't selectively studied like this since my IB exams.
It brings you back.
I miss my parents. They were so kind this weekend: Dad foraged the city for boxes [all from the LC], Mom cleaned everything before we put it away. Cousins have my posessions in their basement. I feel the debt, but it feels comforting. I'm being cared for, and I need it.
# posted by Spot @ 5:59 p.m.
0 comments
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Not so bad
Ok. That went pretty well. I'm cautiously optomistic.
Which stings, I was enjoying that little bout of pessimism. But Contracts [K for the initiated] was better than expected. I guess cramming really does work [but don't tell anyone!]
No, wait, that's not true. I was doing the readings. So I suppose, if it turns out to be a good exam, I worked for it. And if it's a spectacular disaster, well, I deserve that too :)
I really enjoyed today's pre-exam ritual. Up late last night, so I slept in. Briefed myself when I woke up. Had some breakfast [harvest crunch, apple and bananna: horray for complex carbs] then went... to the IWK. That was kinda random. I was getting coffee and I noticed: there's a library in here! An empty library!
It was the most relaxing pre-exam review I've ever had. Studying would be a lot better, if not for the fellow students.
And now my family is visiting, helping me move out. This is very much appreciated, considering my previous moves, which had considerably less support. Moving is scary, especially when you can't ask people to drive you and your boxes all over the place. Last time I had to hire a van, and I was lucky to have free storage in the west island.
G_d, I can't wait to not be a student anymore. Not move every two years. Did I mention that my security check for my summer job took, like, 2 weeks because of all my addresses? Though the trip to China might've added to the delay.
Anyway, keep sending the good vibes. I can feel them.
Which stings, I was enjoying that little bout of pessimism. But Contracts [K for the initiated] was better than expected. I guess cramming really does work [but don't tell anyone!]
No, wait, that's not true. I was doing the readings. So I suppose, if it turns out to be a good exam, I worked for it. And if it's a spectacular disaster, well, I deserve that too :)
I really enjoyed today's pre-exam ritual. Up late last night, so I slept in. Briefed myself when I woke up. Had some breakfast [harvest crunch, apple and bananna: horray for complex carbs] then went... to the IWK. That was kinda random. I was getting coffee and I noticed: there's a library in here! An empty library!
It was the most relaxing pre-exam review I've ever had. Studying would be a lot better, if not for the fellow students.
And now my family is visiting, helping me move out. This is very much appreciated, considering my previous moves, which had considerably less support. Moving is scary, especially when you can't ask people to drive you and your boxes all over the place. Last time I had to hire a van, and I was lucky to have free storage in the west island.
G_d, I can't wait to not be a student anymore. Not move every two years. Did I mention that my security check for my summer job took, like, 2 weeks because of all my addresses? Though the trip to China might've added to the delay.
Anyway, keep sending the good vibes. I can feel them.
# posted by Spot @ 12:31 a.m.
0 comments
Thursday, April 07, 2005
We Are Away
In exactly 24 hours I'll be writing a 100% Contracts final.
Stress has a way of stripping away the inessential. What do I really KNOW? You can't indulge in self-delusion at times like this, it's counter productive.
What I know: Law school is really hard. I haven't told you about that, but it really is. These entries are usually pauses, but let me tell you what the bulk of it is. You get up in the morning, roll over, and start memorizing. You eat while trying to memorize. You read more. You take a break until you're too guilty to continue taking a break.
You go to the library and resent every little noise your fellow cell mates make. Especially undergrads: damn your freedoms!
You blink and five hours have gone by. At your absolute peak efficiency you've only made a dent into the volums and volums of material you have to understand. There is never enough time.
So I come here and pretend that it's easy, and I have lots of time. Freedom galore.
Lies, lies!
Please let it pay off. Give me brilliance!
Stress has a way of stripping away the inessential. What do I really KNOW? You can't indulge in self-delusion at times like this, it's counter productive.
What I know: Law school is really hard. I haven't told you about that, but it really is. These entries are usually pauses, but let me tell you what the bulk of it is. You get up in the morning, roll over, and start memorizing. You eat while trying to memorize. You read more. You take a break until you're too guilty to continue taking a break.
You go to the library and resent every little noise your fellow cell mates make. Especially undergrads: damn your freedoms!
You blink and five hours have gone by. At your absolute peak efficiency you've only made a dent into the volums and volums of material you have to understand. There is never enough time.
So I come here and pretend that it's easy, and I have lots of time. Freedom galore.
Lies, lies!
Please let it pay off. Give me brilliance!
# posted by Spot @ 1:54 p.m.
0 comments
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Spring Cleaning
I went for a coffee run at 9:30 tonight. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Now a little wakeful, so I've maintained the site a bit. No more neverposters.
Well, it's been a productive last few days. I feel like I'm getting a lot of law into my head. Property: good. Contracts: good. Criminal is still scary, Public needs review and Torts is... Torts. Who knows how to study for that one?
Public review tomorrow, actually. So I'll read that to get myself to sleep.
Spoke with Geordie, the materials guy today. Turns out he'll bind your notes for you, free of charge. Nice guy too, very into "don't stress out" and "it's really hard to fail" reassurances. Not quite needed now, but I'll probably have to remind myself of them when writing the actual exams.
Meep! 2 days left!
Today was really nice though. Sunny [sunny!]. The first day I haven't had to wear my jacket. And, when I left the library for the night I caught that deep, fresh rain smell. It's spring again.
Now a little wakeful, so I've maintained the site a bit. No more neverposters.
Well, it's been a productive last few days. I feel like I'm getting a lot of law into my head. Property: good. Contracts: good. Criminal is still scary, Public needs review and Torts is... Torts. Who knows how to study for that one?
Public review tomorrow, actually. So I'll read that to get myself to sleep.
Spoke with Geordie, the materials guy today. Turns out he'll bind your notes for you, free of charge. Nice guy too, very into "don't stress out" and "it's really hard to fail" reassurances. Not quite needed now, but I'll probably have to remind myself of them when writing the actual exams.
Meep! 2 days left!
Today was really nice though. Sunny [sunny!]. The first day I haven't had to wear my jacket. And, when I left the library for the night I caught that deep, fresh rain smell. It's spring again.
# posted by Spot @ 12:17 a.m.
0 comments
Monday, April 04, 2005
Legal v. Letter
You know what I hate?
When you're printing something big... really big... like an entire term's worth of notes. And you fail to check the page setup [contributory negligence], but the document's in legal format. And you don't want legal sized pages. No one does. They're long and unweildy and they don't fit in your binder.
Legal paper sucks.
And no one should ever use it.
I wish I hadn't. I'm going to re-print these on paper I can use. *sigh*. Law school does nothing so well as kill trees.
When you're printing something big... really big... like an entire term's worth of notes. And you fail to check the page setup [contributory negligence], but the document's in legal format. And you don't want legal sized pages. No one does. They're long and unweildy and they don't fit in your binder.
Legal paper sucks.
And no one should ever use it.
I wish I hadn't. I'm going to re-print these on paper I can use. *sigh*. Law school does nothing so well as kill trees.
# posted by Spot @ 7:39 p.m.
0 comments
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Guess what I just did?
Practiced piano. It was awesome! I finally visited the Music Buliding's basement, and a very successful visit it was.
The security guy was the best. He's a music student and he gave me the lowdown on the rooms. They're primarily for music students, so the rooms are locked with a combination lock. The code changes every term. I think I might be able to get the code if I ask administration. But security dude slyly gave them when I asked nicely.
I had such a good time! And the music building is right next door. I think I can stay at the library a lot longer if I can take little music breaks every few hours. Since I brought the Goldberg variations and the Moonlight Sonata with me from Sydney I'm all set.
Edit: idly researching my summer job. Here's where I'll be:
The Newfoundland Beaumont-Hamel Memorial is about 35 kms northeast of Amiens, 40 kms south of Arras and 150 kms north of Paris.
The Vimy Memorial is about 10 kms north of Arras, 15 kms south of Lens, 135 kms southeast of Calais and 175 kms north of Paris.
Check out the map of France I found [under "what I do"] and you'll have as precise an idea of where I'll be as I do. It's northeastish.
The security guy was the best. He's a music student and he gave me the lowdown on the rooms. They're primarily for music students, so the rooms are locked with a combination lock. The code changes every term. I think I might be able to get the code if I ask administration. But security dude slyly gave them when I asked nicely.
I had such a good time! And the music building is right next door. I think I can stay at the library a lot longer if I can take little music breaks every few hours. Since I brought the Goldberg variations and the Moonlight Sonata with me from Sydney I'm all set.
Edit: idly researching my summer job. Here's where I'll be:
The Newfoundland Beaumont-Hamel Memorial is about 35 kms northeast of Amiens, 40 kms south of Arras and 150 kms north of Paris.
The Vimy Memorial is about 10 kms north of Arras, 15 kms south of Lens, 135 kms southeast of Calais and 175 kms north of Paris.
Check out the map of France I found [under "what I do"] and you'll have as precise an idea of where I'll be as I do. It's northeastish.
# posted by Spot @ 2:48 p.m.
0 comments
Friday, April 01, 2005
We're not scaremongering
This is a great time of year for all your blog readers. The time of year when my life shifts inward, when I fear next week, fear not studying, and fear dying from sheer boredom. I blog a lot a times like these. It's the nature of the beast: you get me at my worst. Enjoy!
I do try to capture the good times. Speaking of which, I think this will be a remarkably good medium for staying in touch while I'm in La Belle Pays. So I'll make an effort during the summer, even if I am having a good time.
Hmm.. maybe it's time to change the look of the place. This does reflect last summer...
So I'm feeling a little better than yesterday, and much better than earlier on in the week. Less queasy, less tired, more alert. Back to the real world, my fever insulates me no longer.
Speaking of being aware... I finally figured out how Campbell knows my nickname. I do believe I showed him the Spot, way back in the fall. Gotcha!
I've said absolutely nothing so far. My work here is done.
Oh wait! I almost forgot to tell everyone. I didn't get elected VP Exec, despite my brilliant campaigning. Mark C. just gave his condolences, which were much appreciated. I'm glad I did it, if only for the conversation it generated. And I'll always have Sopinka :)
I do try to capture the good times. Speaking of which, I think this will be a remarkably good medium for staying in touch while I'm in La Belle Pays. So I'll make an effort during the summer, even if I am having a good time.
Hmm.. maybe it's time to change the look of the place. This does reflect last summer...
So I'm feeling a little better than yesterday, and much better than earlier on in the week. Less queasy, less tired, more alert. Back to the real world, my fever insulates me no longer.
Speaking of being aware... I finally figured out how Campbell knows my nickname. I do believe I showed him the Spot, way back in the fall. Gotcha!
I've said absolutely nothing so far. My work here is done.
Oh wait! I almost forgot to tell everyone. I didn't get elected VP Exec, despite my brilliant campaigning. Mark C. just gave his condolences, which were much appreciated. I'm glad I did it, if only for the conversation it generated. And I'll always have Sopinka :)
# posted by Spot @ 7:47 p.m.
0 comments
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