Below are the most recent 15 friends' journal entries.

Friday, October 10th, 2008
turtlemonkey	12:05a	Silent Hill 5 SPOILARSSS OMG: Alex's dad is secretly Locke from LOST. Upon the Island's disappearance it reappeared in Maine wherein it became Silent Hill. Upon this time/space shift, it also summoned up Dean Winchester from Supernatural to become Alex Shepard. Random updates: Having a minor in Russian Studies is really turning out to be a fun/notfun thing. CONS: I cannot fucking watch my favourite childhood cartoon, Anastasia, without crying at at least two different points. Every. Single. Time. Especially after last year. Fuck you, Don Bluth, for getting my childhood hopes up. Though now seeing Rasputin as a typical kiddie movie baddie is amazing to no end and I keep cracking up. I love it. PROS: John McCain implying he'd be fine and dandy starting up the cold war again means I'd have employment till the end of goddamn time. I might be moving out this summer, either to NYC or DC because of location + Major. However, I landed myself a semester teaching english in Kiev during Spring which I am really, really looking forward to. That might make moving out a bit harder because of timing. PS: At 19 fucking years old, I started ballet. Nineteen. Ballet. Oh, the hilarity of the shit I've gotten into thus far. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking. It's morbidly hilarious. I refuse to drop it since I took it up to go, one day, en pointe, and I refuse to drop it until I do so. But holy fucking christ. I never thought I'd say 'too old' at 19 for anything. Then I took up ballet. 5 times a fucking week. Oh the stories I could tell you. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
crankyliberal	9:56a	In these troubled times The phrase "Henry Paulson slash" still amuses. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
charcoaleyes78	8:06p	I flipped out today and thought I was at risk for tuberclulosis.  I received a report that my client had tb!  Yikes!  And, I needed to go meet with him today before sentencing.  After fighting with the jail b/c they wouldn't give my client a mask (seriously...why do I have to put myself at risk).  I learned that its actually latent tb, so not contagious.  But, I got my client to call me so we were able to prepare for sentencing.  Sometimes I wonder why I do this job, esp. when I learned an atty, who is not very good, charged 1/2 of what I make in a year for a very simple case.  In fact, I found that out as I was preparing to take a plea on a very similar case.  I could earn twice as much money if I worked 1/2 the time...it's tempting, but I think I would feel bad taking $ from people.   I started beginner yoga class yesterday.  It was nice to get back into a yoga studio.  It's also nice to learn how to properly do some of the yoga-moves I have been doing.  Yesterday was pretty easy.  It was basically breathing, warrior, and downward dog.  My back and shoulders are still sore.  It will be mentally great to be in yoga again, and to focus so much on one thing.  I'm glad I finally did it. I've given up teaching myself how to knit.  I have too many questions, and I need someone who is able to answer them.  So, I will need to take a class somewhere. Tomorrow, girlyman in milwaukee.  I haven't seen them in over a year.  I'm excited to hear the new songs and enjoy girly goodness again (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, October 6th, 2008
charcoaleyes78	4:54p	We had a great weekend.  We had a nice, relaxing time in Green Bay.  We went to UW-GB, got coffee, got dinner, and then went and decked ourselves out in Packer gear. And, we had a lot of fun at the Packer game.  It was weird.  I thought it would be this big, magical place.  Nope.  Just a football game.  But, it had the friendly confines feel of Wrigley Field.  Everyone was friendly, talking to & harrassing each other.  The stadium seems a lot smaller in person, and I can now understand how there is not a bad seat in the house.  We sat right over the player entrance, so in the corner of the end zone, and that was a great area to sit.  There was something about watching it in person.  I was involved in the game, but it seemed less dramatic.  I don't know what it was.  My favorite part was when the ref was reviewing a play after the challenge flag was thrown they played the song "waiting is the hardest part."  Brilliant  There was cheering, booing the refs (and occassionally the players which I didn't like).  I was way into the game.  I was cheering and screaming.  In between plays, I would stand up and dance like a crazy person to all the stadium music they played (jump around everyone?).  I'm happy I got to see Aaron Rodgers play, we got to see one Lambeau Leap, and we had 3 score celebrations.  I wish the the Packers would have won. Jesse liked the craziness.  He loved that everyone sang along to roll out the barrel and danced the polka.  I think he needs to go to a UW game with me.  I think he would love to watch the student section go crazy and do their fun dances, and I think he would enjoy to watch 5th quarter (my favorite part).  Next year, there may be a badger football game in our plans. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
lilostitch	2:49p	shoes shoes shoes! I bought my wedding shoes!!! and look at the bottom!! and since endless.com was having a sale, I got these for $10!  They're great back up shoes in case my feet get tired!!! Hooray! (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, October 5th, 2008
crankyliberal	11:04a	YAY YAY I got this email: "Dear Cranky: I would like to invite you to join [THE LOCAL IMPROV TROUPE] but at the same time I would also like to see you continue in the class so I can hone some more skills. I think you would a great addition to the troupe if you have the interest. Please let me know me what you think. " OK SURE THAT IS FINE THANK YOU (12 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, October 3rd, 2008
charcoaleyes78	6:19p	Today was an awful day.  Its one of those days where I question why I do what I do.  Seriously.  I just wanted to lay on a couch and cry.  Sometimes you work your a.ss off and the right answer seems soo obvious, but nobody else seems to see that answer.  Lately, my problem has been with how the criminal no-justice system treats mentally ill people.  I'm sorry, but jails and prisons should not be clearing houses for mentally ill people.  Especially if they are there b/c of their mental illness.  And, I'm struggling with getting people to understand developmental disabilities and mental retardation. I didn't even want to talk about this case.  But, what set me off was a deciscion I received today.  I had a Dr. evaluate my client.  The Dr. said that my client's annuerism had affected his brain so much that he cannot function in his daily life without assistance.  In fact, his functioning is so low that he cannot do such complex tasks as figuring out what time he needs to get up in the morning.  Is this man supposed to know and remember all the nuances of supervision rules?  No.  Did his probation agent give him any assistance?  No. The Administrative Law Judge basically said that she didn't beleive the doctor.  That "competant professionals" such as the probation agent did not think he had trouble understanding, therefore he didn't have trouble understanding.  Um...most p.o.'s have a bachelors degreee.  They rarely have special training, and they don't have any training on working with people with developmental disabilites.  And, this p.o. was dumb.  She had only been a p.o. for 6 months, didn't document the really important things, and excluded things from her revocation packet.  Just b/c she didn't think he had trouble understanding, means that a psychiatrist is wrong.  Is it me or do you think a psychiatrist may have a little more knowledge about how the brain works? The ALJ then went on about how my client is an awful person, and a complete liar. Then the ALJ recommend 5 years in prison.  The probation agent had recommended 2.5. My brain hurts just thinking about it.  Luckily, we can appeal, but I don't think that will get us anywhere.  I think I have a better chance trying to rationalize with the DA and especially the Judge. There is other crap going on, but I can't even think about it.  I came home early and just slept. (Comment on this)
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
crankyliberal	9:26p	In case you were wondering- because someone actually asked "Georgetown" is both a neighborhood and a university in Washington, DC. Most of the campus for the school is also located in Georgetown, but the law school certainly is not. So, I take no personal offense to John Mcain's snide remark about "Georgetown cocktail parties". In fact, if they were anything like some events I was obligated to attend as a student, I'm sympathetic. It's the one time McCain and I agree! (Comment on this)
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
kevinblanchard	6:11p	Kevin Blanchard for President 2008 Finally a candidate I can believe in http://elect.kevinblanchard.com (Comment on this)
charcoaleyes78	10:37a	Yeah Wednesday! Yesterday, I spent an hour and a half with a man who wouldn't stop crying and think the concerned citizen who followed him home while calling 911 re: drunk driving was setting him up b/c he wasn't driving.  I understand the crying.  He is the perfect example of what an alcohol addiction can do to your life.  1 year ago, he was a fourth grade teacher who owned a house, 2 cars, had a wife and a kid.  Now, He's sitting a lengthy jail sentence, he will have a felony record, he will be going to prison, his wife is divorcing him and he hasn't seen his kid in ages.  Then, after all of that, I found out he has a $30,000 retirement account, so I can't represent him anymore. I tried to start knitting yesterday.  Its not going so well. icyspook (Jesse) has to do the knitting for me.  He has to read the book, figure out what its teaching, show it to me, and sit with me while I try to figure out what he's showing me.  I don't think he's going to be that patient for long enough for me to figure out what I'm doing.  We'll see.  Otherwise, I will have to wait until Jan. for a small, multi-class beginner session. In exciting news, we got a call from SILtracybowie yesterday asking us what we are doing on Sunday.  Well, we are watching football on Sunday, that's what we do in the fall. We are now watching football at Lambeau Field.  Yes, my SIL scored 4 tickets to the Packer game in Green Bay this weekend.  I'm so excited!!  I've never seen a professional football game, and to see a game at Lambeau will be awesome!  Its something I've always wanted to do.  So, we will be spending the weekend with them in Green Bay, then going to the game on Sunday.  Go Pack Go!!         (2 Comments |Comment on this)
learner	5:46a	Student Council I just read this article. I am extremely disappointed. Many years ago, I was on the same council. I had started my college career as an engineering student. One day, I saw an article in the school newspaper about the council discussions against recognizing gay awareness month. The story prompted me to write the school paper and later run for student council. Because of my experience on the council, I eventually changed my major to geovernment. As most of you know, I am now a lawyer in large part because of my experience on the student council. Current Mood: disappointed Current Music: KQED Public Radio - (Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
crankyliberal	3:33p	Federal Public Defenders are the Shit I ran into a Federal PD outside one of the detention centers. He looked like visitation had been especially grueling for him. He said to me: "I just can't believe my clients sometimes. One of my guys said to me, 'Why do you guys always have to use such bad language?' I took a long look at him, and the tattoos all over his face and neck, and replied "You gotta be fucking kidding me!" "Yeah, that's some bullshit!" I replied. "Jesus!" he exclaimed. And then the gate between us opened, and he left, while I went in. I want to be a FPD when I grow up. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, September 29th, 2008
crankyliberal	11:05p	Improv Upon review of livejournal entries, it appears that I did not mention the following: 1) I took a 6 week improv class. 2) It was awesome 2a) because I met tons of people who have NO IDEA AND DO NOT CARE that I'm an immigration lawyer. You figure 6 weeks class at 2 hours a shot= 12 hours where immigration law was not mentioned! A record! 2b) it makes me feel creative, which is cool. 2c) apparently I'm kind of good at it. 3) We had a performance Saturday night. I don't remember parts of it, but I do remember playing an "International Expert on 8 bit video games" Hee. In a different skit I was afraid of bees for some reason. 4) I'm signing up for the next series of classes. Six more weeks! 5) And then it appears I have a good shot at joining the troupe! There is an improv troupe here! It's crazy but true. So this has been A Good Thing (8 Comments |Comment on this)
bonobo23	6:41a	Best XKCD ever SRSLY Current Mood: amused Current Music: air traffic (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, September 28th, 2008
charcoaleyes78	8:54p	living the simple life Yesterday J and I met up with our sister-in-law tracy and went apple picking.  It was a gorgeous day.  The place we went was a pretty straight-forward apple barn, with a tractor ride out into the orchard.  Luckily, the wagon had crates to sit on, not hay, otherwise we might have killed our lovely SIL of the overly active allergies.  We each picked a peck of apples.  I think we're going to go back later in the season when Macouns & Braeburns are in season.  Those are our favorite kinds of apples.  They also have a kind of apple called winter banana apples.  I'm intrigued by them.  We were also able to pick up a farm guide to SE Wisconsin.  It gives names and addresses of local farms committed to sustainability, what they grow (kinds of vegetables, meat, etc.), and how they sell their products (CSA, farmer's market, at the farm, etc.).  That was fun to go through as J and I decide how we want to obtain local produce next year, since our CSA was a bust. Speaking of CSA this is what we got this week: 1 moldy cantelope, 3 small apples so bruised you could barely get a bite off of it, fennell (blech), beans, broccolli, 2 pears, and some small tomatoes.  Only 7 more weeks left! After we picked apples, we wandered around Cedarburg and looked at all the cute stores.  Then we went to Random Lake (where sil is from), had dinner, and went to her parent's house for a bonfire.  We had a good time just sitting outside, chatting, laughing at her 4 yr. old nephew.  It was a fun, relaxing day. Today, I spent most of the time in the kitchen.  I made bread in our breadmaker.  Its tastes good, but the top collaped and the bread is pretty holey, so I'll have to figure out how to make it better.  J likes the homemade bread, so I'll be making it more often.  Later this winter, I want to make my own bread and try to make the butter braids that annabelle_blue  makes (they sound/look so yummy).  I made apple crisp from the apple's we picked yesterday.  Then I made some yummy skillet pizza.  Seriously, in the kitchen all day except for the when I was watching the disappointing Packer's game. This week should be a quiet week.  Most of the judges are on vacation this week.  Tomorrow, I have to go to the dentist.  I have cavities between my front two teeth that I had repaired in NY, but the repairs didn't stay, so I am getting it redone tomorrow.  blech. (3 Comments |Comment on this)