Mackenzie's Weblog

Decisions, Decisions

I'm starting to think that ignorance may really be bliss, that free will is a pain.

Recently, I had to choose between two different opportunities, both very good ones. I chose the less fun, less immediate gratification option in order to give me more long-term career options. I hate closing off options.

It was a difficult choice, though. I don't regret it, but it makes me thinking about some broader issues. I think it's pretty well established that I really prefer not to work at a firm. I've previously explained that it is not because firms are somehow inferior, but rather that it doesn't seem to be the type of environment for me. I'm not into scrambling to get all the billable hours or sacrificing the entire rest of my life to get work done (though I acknowledge that I pretty much do that now - I expect to have a bit more recreation time in the real world). The real key is that I want to have a job that I'm happy with as a part of my overall life.

One standard topic in the law school dialogue is the way that it tends to transform idealistic young law students into unhappy law drones. One of the often-blamed factors is the legal culture's emphasis on status and, more often, the heavy student loan burden. The idea is that many graduates have no choice but to seek these high-paying jobs so that they can pay back these loans.

I've always said that I didn't want to get sucked into that dynamic, and I and my classmates are fairly well positioned to avoid it, given that the tuition at our law school is so relatively low. But this choice I had to make, and another one between two jobs (which I don't have, and which are both excellent, but one is more prestigious and pays more), make me think of the same principle.

What bothers me is wondering if in reaching far, going for the bigger name jobs, I'm in effect doing the same thing, just not with firms. My reasoning for my choices has been that I prefer to choose a path that allows me to change if I realize I originally chose poorly. I believe that is true as far as it goes, but I can't help think that at some of this has to do with the influence of these legal prestige sorts of things. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Maybe. The question is whether that will make me happy. I know that goals sometimes change over time, but I would prefer to have a say in it.

None of this really has an immediate impact, it is simply my own thoughts on how school is changing the way I make career decisions. It means that I really need to be conscientious about these factors when I make my decisions.

In some ways, it was really a lot easier when I didn't have much choice. When you only have one option, you don't really think about these things, you just go where you're directed. I suppose I can always say that at least wherever I end up, I got there because I chose to be there.

Of course it may also strike people as particularly whiney and self-indulgent to complain about having too many choices. Maybe, but I'm not really complaining about the choices, I'm just looking at how my reasoning in making these decisions has changed. Take it however you like.

mmm . . . cuisine

I must admit, I had a pretty good time last night. Is that allowed to law students? It must be, because apart from a little transportation snafu, I had a pretty good time.

My friend J. asked me if I wanted to go to Ft. Collins (for those out of Wyoming, it's the closest town of any size in Colorado - and another college town, but a bit hipper) to eat some Ethiopian food. Ethiopian is not a style of cuisine I had previously sampled. I was at first a little skeptical about whether I would have the time, but eventually I figured, "screw it, I'll probably only live once."

Eventually, I found myself eating. For the uninitiated, you get a platter of food with a bowl full of bread, or with a bunch of the bread under the food, that you share with those around the little table at which you find yourself. The bread is really a lot like a pancake, but the flavor is a bit tangy. You're meant to tear off pieces of the bread and grab a bite with the bread. I was stuffed, and for those who know me, that's not a small feat.

Of course, the company was excellent, too.

Bottom line: if you find yourself to be a law student, take some time to go out and do something fun. It might be a new style of food, or it might be going out for a drink with some old friends you haven't seen in years. Either way, do something.

Friday Catblogging!

It's that time again. For this week's installment, we have a reprise of a couple excellent shots from the archive. This because basically I'm never home to take new pictures of my cats.

I'll be off tonight to an Ethiopian restaurant for the first time. Yummy!

Have a great weekend!

Theatrical Review

Last night I went to part of the Beggar's Opera. Contrary to the name, it is apparently a musical (Opera being defined as a theatrical production entirely in song). I was able to attend because of the generous attentions of my friend J., who has been mentioned here before.

We ended up missing the first act because we were late, but two in our party of five went in a separate car and made it barely in time. Those of us left behind waited the 45 minutes or so until the first intermission. When the other two got out, they had nothing positive to say. They left. The three of us then sat through the second act.

It was bad. Hideous, even.

There were some exceptions, but the acting was pretty bad. What really broke it for me, though, was the singing. There were several moments where the singing was out of step with the orchestra. This was bad enough, but during the one or two a capella bits, the songs were so out of pitch that I had to cringe.

The staging was pretty bad, too. During one scene which supposedly took place in a jail cell, two characters sort of came on to the stage at the far end, far from the action, and sort of looked on for a bit. Then they left. I don't know what it was supposed to mean, if anything other than, "there's some stage space, let's fill it."

Maybe part of the problem is that operatic singing is extremely challenging and there just aren't enough people with the skill around here. Of course, the skill necessary was nowhere near something like Aida, Il trovatore, or Rigoletto, but there were some challenging riffs the actors were clearly struggling with.

Frankly, I don't know what needed to happen in that production. More rehearsal? Better direction? More voice practice? All three? I'm not saying I could do it better, 'cause I couldn't. Of course, you don't see me up there on stage. Needless to say, I'll be cautious in the future. At this point, I just feel bad that my friend had to pay for the tickets. Maybe I can come up with something to make it up to her.

Friday Catblogging!

It is a new week once more, so let's take a look at some cats.

This first pair are my mother's. The gray and white is named Rhett, and the other one is either Scrappy or Scruffy. They are the ones I can't keep straight. I usually call one the Fat One. He's pretty fat. This was taken before that, though, so he could be either.

This next one is an outdoor kitten from way back. I don't know if she's still around, but she's pretty cute:

That's it. If I have anything of substance to say (doubtful), I'll post later today.

Have a great weekend!

Sad day

The cast, crew, and others involved in Babylon 5 have gone through a lot of tragedy. I believe it was last year that Richard Biggs died very suddenly (in the space of minutes) from what was probably an anyeurism. Today there is another blow. Andreas Katsulas has died of lung cancer.

He was quite beloved by the fans of the show. His character underwent monumental change through the five years, and he acted these changes superbly. The depth and emotion he brought was amazing. He was one of the two most powerful actors on the show, the other being Peter Jurasik.

His death was not unanticipated. He smoked for many years, and stopping when he was diagnosed with lung cancer wasn't enough. I obviously didn't know him personally so can't assert that I will miss him, but I can say that I think the loss in the acting realm will be significant. I mourn that I won't have a chance to see him perform.

My Crowning Achievement

I have a long and illustrious career as a third wheel. As a matter of fact, I've become rather practiced at being a fifth, seventh, and miscellaneous other odd-numbered wheels. Last night, though, was my ultimate achievement in third-wheeldom. My Opus. My hillside covered in giant umbrellas.

Last night, on Valentine's Day, I went to a movie with my close friend the Dancer, and her boyfriend.

This was truly a stroke of artistic genius on my part. I'm taking the third wheel to all new levels. I'm blazing a new trail. I'm coming up with new cliches.

In all fairness (because they both protest my non-third-wheelness), the situation was actually different. The boyfriend was booked, so the Dancer and I made plans then the boyfriend's plans fell through, so all three of us went to a movie. I just find the situation highly amusing.

We saw Capote. It was really, really good.

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About CivPro but Were Afraid to Ask

I did not enjoy Civil Procedure. I feel that I am unremarkable in that respect. It was confusing and arcane. I could never tell what was important and what was not.

Not so with Civil Pretrial Practice. This is a great class, though it is a lot of hard work. We've had to do all the practical stuff to filing a lawsuit that was more or less implied in CivPro. Last week we filed a complaint, and we had to do all the little things you don't learn about, like a Civil Cover Sheet. This week, it is an answer, counter-claim, and a memorandum to support a dismissal of a claim for failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted.

All this means is that the rules of civil procedure are actually being used. I'm learning more here than I did in two semesters of CivPro. More accurately, I will almost certainly retain this information far longer. Even if I don't practice in the civil arena, it will be a long time before I forget what a 12(b)(6) motion is.

I feel like this whole law school thing is really starting to yield some practical results.

Friday Catblogging!

My mother called me this week, I think on Monday. Without regular blog updates, she wanted to make sure I was still alive. I'm still reeling from the work, but I got through it intact, and I'm ready to take on some more. Today marks my triumphant return. My schedule opens up considerably, though (as always) I'm still busy.

Also, since it has been publicly posted, I can say that I was offered and accepted the position of Case Note Editor with Wyoming Law Review for the 2006/2007 academic year. It should be quite fun.

For Catblogging, I have a return to my cats, as opposed to my mother's. Here's one shot of Jupiter and Sebastian, and one of just Jupiter.

Have a great weekend!