Welcome!
Posted on August 13th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Welcome to my wacky world. Join me in my new adventures in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Meet my lovely wife, my psychotic cats Rusty and Bunchy, my law school professors and peers…and my Daleks and Cybermen.
My wife Guia
One psychotic kitty
Another psychotic kitty
Cyberman!
From the Bay Area to Pittsburgh
Posted on August 13th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Having just moved to Pittsburgh from the Bay Area in Northern California, I can say quite frankly, I love it here! I am originally from Boston, but had been living in California for 20 (Jeez!) years. I never quite felt at home there. There are a lot of things to recommend the Bay Area, and I suppose with infinite wealth, infinite patience, and a full time driver I might have really loved the place. As it was, no matter for much dosh I made, I never had any money in my pocket, since rent or mortgage were so ridiculous. And of course, you could never go anywhere, because it was so damn crowded. 
Sure, ‘the weather’s great!’ as everyone there constantly enthuses (except for the four month rainy season that many years I was there was four months of ceasless, relentless, non-stop - did I say ceasless? downpour), but little else, other than the diversity of asian restaurants, is.
Pittsburgh I have already come to love on many counts. People are friendly, my neighbors are helpful and quiet, and the food is amazing! For years I have bitched about the inability to get decent pizza or Jewish deli food in California, but it had been so long since I experienced these things, I nearly no longer believed it myself! Eating at places like Mineo’s and Speedy Gourmet (best whitefish salad ever!) here in Squirrel Hill have been a revelation. 
We’ve enjoyed seeing the Pirates play at the amazing PNC Park - who cares if the team sucks - what a place to see a ball game! We also went to see the Pretenders at the Benedum Center downtown - great band, amazing venue. I wish their website had some better pictures of the inside of the place - it’s like a bloody royal opera house.
Walking, talking, eating, drinking
Posted on August 15th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Today was spent walking on the outskirts of Schenley Park, collecting pinecones and acorns for Guia to make a wreath for the door, then to Kazansky’s Deli for a yummy dinner. But, that’s not all! It was also margarita night, starring a bottle of 100% agave 1800 tequila, Grand Marnier, and our new blender. It’s all kind of a blur of acting stupid and making vanilla ice cream in our ice cream maker after that. Today was a good day. I think this is maybe the 4th or 5th time Guia has ever drank, and it is only my 5th or 6th time in the last few years.
Catch up time
Posted on August 19th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
The car finally arrived on Wednesday through the driveaway service. It was driven by a very cool couple of artists, Mads and Cally. Mads is going to be going to art school at Columbia. His website is here. They returned the car way cleaner than I’ve seen it in a few years. 
Anyway, they were super kewl and we put them up for the night. I’m a little glad to have the shiny metal box back (I can stock up on groceries instead of being limited to what we can backpack and put in our pullcart), but I really dislike driving, so I am not typically thrilled or relieved as you might expect most North Americans to be. When I say I dislike driving, I am not making a political statement. What I am saying is, I personally don’t like to get behind the wheel, it gets me stressed - basically, I am somewhat driving-phobic, and would rather walk everyplace. A lot of people find that really strange, but you know, I find it really strange that people watch sports (or much of anything) on TV. (Shrug).
It’s been a pretty slow few days otherwise. The last of my books for school came, and I will be doing some of the reading for the first week of classes today. I was under the weather Thursday and took a four hour nap in the afternoon after doing our first grocery shopping by car. Yesterday, we went for another long walk - Guia bought a large pot for one of her plants, and we bought the cats some catnip mice. I also mailed some CDs to Joel, CJ and John, and Ken, all with no notes inside coz I was in a hurry to get them sent.
T minus 4 days….
Posted on August 23rd, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Well, four days until regular classes start at Pitt Law, but for the last three days I have been participating in the Mellon Legal Writing Program, which I have found quite useful. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, I really believe I am going to love this, at least, most of the time.
Not much going on other than having written several case briefs in the past few days. I’m already dreaming about law. Well, the law and Cybermen. Ok, well, the law, Cybermen, and cheese.
I’m actually in a very good mood these days. I walked back and forth to school both yesterday and today, almost an hour each way. Yeah, I could take the bus and be there in 10 minutes, and I’m sure I will sometimes. But I like walking. Even with a backpack full of laptop. And fruit. And water. And action figures. Ok, I am kidding about the action figures, but the thought has crossed my mind.
I will finish with a quote I have always loved, from the late and sorely missed John Entwistle:
I have a feeling deep inside
That somethin’ is missing
It’s a feeling in my soul
And I can’t help wishing
That one day I’ll discover
That we’re living a lie
And I’ll tell the whole world
The reason why
Blogging from law school orientation
Posted on August 24th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
I’m sitting in the basement of the Barco Law Building, having just been provided with some free pizza. The wireless reception is good here. It is big time social hour right now, but I just feel like a quiet moment.
I want to apologize in advance I am in touch even less with everyone than I ordinarily am. If you send me emal, I promise I will answer, though, and if you call me, I might even answer! Kidding aside, I understand that 1L is a very busy time, so 1) if I don’t always get back to you promptly, forgive me, and 2) if I start ‘lawyering’ you, it is apparently inevitable…so, apologies in advance!
First week of 1L is at an end
Posted on September 1st, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Well, it’s been a busy and fun week! I’m enjoying briefing cases, and am feeling that process starting to click. I am focusing on getting the rule out more efficiently and succinctly. I have a lot of reading to do for criminal law, but other than that I am pretty much done with homework through this coming Tuesday. However, I need to review my notes for the week, with an eye to beginning rudimentary construction of my outline for each class.
I can’t really profess to enjoying any one class more than any other. I think I have lucked out and gotten a bunch of really dynamic professors, at least two of whom, Richard Delgado and Lawrence Frolik, are legends in their respective areas of Critical Legal Studies and Elder Law. Professor Delgado teaches my Legal Process (Civil Procedure) class; Professor Frolik teaches my Torts class.
The fascinating thing about law school isn’t how much work it is (although it is a lot of work), it is that even when you are ‘done’ preparing and caught up for the day…you don’t want to stop thinking about/talking about the law. It is way too interesting, and causes way too many synapses to fire. I think I am addicted.
Well, I think I will hit my crim law textbook for a while.
Time is passing….
Posted on September 12th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Just a quick note, in case anyone was wondering how things are going…it is going great! I’ve had little time to blog, as my classes have taken up most of my time, but I’m loving (almost) every minute of it. Law school is quite possibly more fun than anything I’ve ever done. And no, that doesn’t mean it is easy - it isn’t, or at least not always - but it is consistently challenging and intriguing. It’s the kind of challenge that is incredibly rewarding - as opposed to, say, working for a bunch of clueless, talentless nepotists and airheads.
So, now that I am done being exceedingly clever, I will go to sleep.
Sick! :-(
Posted on September 24th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
I have a cold. Grrr! Took a two hour nap today. I’m well ahead on my reading, luckily, and actually, have spent most of the day studying, since I am too miserable to do anything fun.
School remains enjoyable, and I am feeling increasingly confident, though keenly aware that I am going to have to focus on committing some rules to memory. Most of you who know me are probably aware that I am more ‘big picture’ oriented than ‘fiddly detail’ oriented. That is both good and bad: I don’t anticipate having any problem doing the analysis portion of the exams (which is, really, most of it), but I need to have a firm grip on the rules in order to apply them to the given fact pattern. Anyway, I’m not that worried, but I am going to have to start scheduling memorization time for myself, which won’t be much fun, but, it has to be done.
The most retarded thing I’ve seen this week
Posted on September 29th, 2006 by Jon.
Categories: General.
Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ. I can’t even think of a snarky enough comment to make.