fighting sleep...

I'm trying to stay awake until at least midnight. The past two nights, I've fallen asleep around ten and then wake at 2 or 3 in the morning. That's not fun when I have things to do early in the morning (or late in the afternoon).

To pass the time, I've been checking out my Netflix queue and seeing what's coming up and what I've seen the past few months.

This past year, I've become an avid believer in Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a leading man. If you haven't had a chance to see Brick, Mysterious Skin, or The Lookout...check them out! The Lookout was his strongest role, definitely, and Jeff Bridges is pretty great in the movie as well. Anyway, the entire JGL mention was sparked by this New York Times "Screentest":

Change...

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.
~ Bruce Barton

This morning, I had a few plea negotiation conferences. I couldn't find the people I needed to talk with about some specific cases. I overheard one of the other attorneys talking about the same thing. I asked and he said, "It's November!" Oh, yeah...I forgot. The new crop of attorneys has just been licensed, and there are now a lot of new faces around the building.

This was the first year I didn't really stop to think about the people waiting to hear about bar results. The previous five or six, I've known many awaiting results, or just remember how I felt waiting for the posting. Talk about swirling rumors, uneasy sleep, and tension.

I remember getting a call from Bill, early on a Thursday evening. He told me word was that the results would be posted that night, around 8. I was at my grandma's house at the time, and decided right then and there that I would not be checking them until around ten. I didn't want to ruin my night if I hadn't passed, and figured I could still celebrate if the results were what I'd wanted.

Logging onto the site of the Texas Board of Law Examiners, I checked and double-checked the password and log-in information. Then the list is presented...I go directly to the Ms...apparently, I didn't think to use the "find" function, because I scrolled through the entire list of Ms. The first time through, I went too quickly...I didn't see my name! Oh no...then I went through again...wait, there it is...a wave of joy and relief. I had no idea how much tension I'd let build up around that moment until after I saw my name.

The first call I made was to my mom and dad. She was in the hospital at the time, and I remember hearing how happy they were for me in their voices.

So, for all the newly licensed attorneys in the state, congratulations. It's an experience I don't want to live through again, but it's an accomplishment I am very proud of...regardless of the stereotypes, jokes, and assumptions connected with the profession.

better late than never...

A little late, but expressing what you're grateful for shouldn't be relegated to one day of the year... I am thankful for family, friends that are family, road trips, fall weather, live music, my homes away from home, the blue light, people with a sense of humor, pitcher night, good books, podcasts, new acquaintances, a job that I don't dread, and Idaho. This doesn't even scratch the surface, but I think it hits the high points.

Thanksgiving was pretty good, all-around. It was (still is) freezing outside, but the roads never got too bad. The snow didn't really accumulate, so travel wasn't a big problem for people coming in. LOTS of games (football, board and video), family pictures and four nights of drinking. At the very least, it was good practice for hanging with the professionals this upcoming weekend.

Saturday night, I stop off at my aunt's house for dinner and a round of Scattergories, then it was to be a quick stop at Christie's birthday party. That "quick stop" spanned from 8:30 to 4:30 in the morning. Everyone at the party, with two exceptions, were in some shape or form someone I'd known since I was a kid. It had been a few weeks since I'd seen some, years for others. I had no idea I missed them, until I spent time with them Saturday night.

I ended up at the end of the table with Monica, Dominic and Jerry. I hadn't seen or talked to D since he'd moved back to town. He entertained me with stories of his paintball exploits earlier in the day and singing along with just about every song that came up. I should have switched seats with someone, because I got talked into more Jell-O shots than anyone should consume in one night. He and I finished off the last tray before leaving...his reasoning - they needed the fridge space.

Words from Peter, whom I've known since I was three years old: under no circumstances are you to marry for love, at least not the first time... He said love can wait until the final divorce settlement. The irony - he's married to the girl he started dating our sophomore year in high school and couldn't be happier.

We all had a really good time, and plan to see each other next month at Ben's show. I had no idea I'd been missing some of them until I actually sat around talking with them. We all have the same reference points, know the same people, and can fall back into our comfort zones within minutes of seeing each other...regardless of how much time has passed.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. I can't wait to see some of my favorite people.

blood pressure - rising

I'm at the office...not accomplishing much.

The main topic on the Dan Patrick show today is Nick Saban's comments on Monday, referencing 9/11 and Pearl Harbor as a means to motivate his team.

I think the comments were asinine, but I don't really have high expectations for comments coming from any coach after a loss. (Read the update at the tail-end of that above entry...talk about a great PR skill. That's amazing.)

The thing bothering me the most is the people calling up to support Saban and his tactics or saying that the loss was a travesty (at least to the players). I understand that the players carry the loss around with them for a while, but a travesty on par with those two attacks? I don't think so. The lack of perspective is remarkable listening to the show...

One of the University's alumni suffered an unfathomable tragedy this week. Siran Stacy was involved in an accident in Alabama. Six people were killed as a result, the victims include the driver of the other vehicle and five members of Stacy's family, his wife and four of their children. His youngest daughter remains in the hospital.

One of the callers had the gall to say, yeah Stacy's story was sad, however, that didn't happen on Monday when Saban made his comments. Am I stupid, or does that not make the comments any easier to swallow?

Nothing makes a Saturday night last longer than a loss...

I ended up calling it an early night and I was home fairly early. This was MUCH better than the option others ended up choosing...

The day was great fun, though. I met up with Jessica, Tracy, Mana and others at Raidergate. I got lucky again with parking...at least something went my way. Stoney was FANTASTIC. This is no exaggeration, there were at least 20 times the number of people out for this Raidergate than for the previous ones this season. This definitely had to do with the time of kickoff, the opponent and the beautiful weather.

Aside from some unbelievably drunk coeds, the day was great. I ran into some people I hadn't seen in quite some time...old Tech-Exes. I got a few "I can't believe you're wearing that shirt" comments, but nothing I haven't heard when wearing an OU shirt out in the Depot District (or anywhere else in Texas). People over-exaggerate the treatment received from opposing fans. I've encountered people from every Big 12 school and they all seem the same. You know there's always going to be jackasses, in every group...

The remainder of the weekend was spent getting ready for Christmas. Yeah, yeah...it's barely Thanksgiving. However, since Becky & Brady aren't making the trip for Christmas, we're celebrating this weekend. Yay for early presents.

It looks like we have two parties to go to this weekend. ¡Vamos de pachanga!

LOL - I'm trying to keep on board with my French/Spanish lessons. I wonder how much money was spent on those classes in college that have now all but escaped my memory. Every now and then, I'll remember full lessons/trips to the language lab with Gaelic or Miguel. Honestly, I remember watching more of Gaelic playing tennis than learning lessons from him in the lab. The classes weren't a total loss, though, because I do remember all the conjugations and basic vocabulary. I've found if you want to carry on an elementary level conversation in either language...you've come to the right place.

off to a roaring weekend...

Instead of going to Jessica's party, driving to see Stoney, or going to see Into the Wild, I fell asleep at 9:45 and woke up about 30 minutes ago. I hope I fall back to sleep soon. I plan on being out at Raidergate by 3 tomorrow.

This past week was L-O-N-G. I spent most of it shut up in the house, with the exception of Monday night. In hindsight, I probably should have stayed in, but you know what they say about hindsight. Seeing Cody and Wade perform an acoustic show was almost worth it. I met tons of people and am not sure how many times I said I was going home...I only know that I didn't end up home early enough.

I hope you have a great weekend and an even better holiday.

enfadado, en colère, arrabbiato

In what other language do I know how to say "angry"?

I arrived in OKC fairly early Friday. I met up with the Goodman family for a birthday dinner and had a really good time. After a little down time at Watkins Manor, we decided to head to Bricktown. At this point, I have to apologize to everyone for not answering my phone. I'd left it in my car during dinner and didn't see it again until the end of the night. So, if you tried to text/call to warn me about my plans for the evening...I'm sorry.

We get to Bricktown, park in the lot on the west end and walk down to the Wormy Dog. Guess what? No line, so we head up the ramp. No sign warning of a change in the lineup...in fact, the signs promoting that night's performers are still up. We pay cover, grab some drinks, and I start to look at the stage with a quizzical look upon my face. A narrative was running in my head...that's not Micky's stuff, that's not their setup, why is the show not starting? At this point in time, Sarah from GW comes up to me to say hi and says, "I'm so sorry Micky's not here tonight!" I KNEW IT! Anger sets in...we honestly don't stay much longer than it takes to finish our drinks. I'm not in a Chris Knight mood. I'm seeing him Thursday night, in a fantastic setting, the Cactus Theater.

We left and had a fairly quiet night in catching up and playing a game.

Saturday - much better

I was up and ready around ten thirty, we got on the road to Norman not too much later. We spent some time with Jamie B and Ellie and then headed to campus for the tailgate. There were a few of the "usuals" missing, but I had a good time. There was the expected harassment from Manchester, the questions from the parents, laughing at Yancy and taking in the absurdity of three televisions outside on a front lawn. It was fantastic to see the Ballards and the people walking past getting ready for the game. Rob's never met a stranger, so I'm surprised he had a voice left by game time. The most absurd thing we saw was Yancy in a pedicab...which he rode right up to the lawn rather than giving the guy a break and exiting at the corner. I hope he tipped well, since the guy was nice enough to return to taxi him back to Campus Corner.

We also spent some time in the Husserl house which was entertaining, as always.

We got back to the city around eleven thirty and decided to have a game night. None of us had any concept of time. At one point, Eric sat down at the table and said something about it being three o'clock. Nice. Time really does fly when you're having fun. Something I need to work on: strategies while playing catchphrase. After a short trip out to check on something at four, we called it a night.

We walked down to have a late lunch this afternoon and I let time get away from me. I didn't end up getting back into town until 10. Just home, and already thinking about the next trip back.

What is it about certain musicians? Why do some draw people out to see them and others can't catch a break?

Friday night was a good crowd night...and I can honestly say I have never laughed so much at the comments coming from on and off the stage. It had been such a long time since I'd seen the Mike McClure Band. I missed the first song due to unbelievably slow service next door in the daiquiri place. GRRR...I got the last few notes of "Into the Mystic." At one point, I was mortified...at others, I was laughing hysterically...good night out.

Saturday - Housewarming Party for my sister & MMC

The party started at 1. I didn't show until 2 (oops). However, I didn't end up leaving until 8:30...that's bad, right? Anyway, I made my way to the Blue Light WAY too early...totally giddy to see Charlie open. Hey, guess what? He got a last minute show in Ft Worth. GRRRRREAT... Now, I'm at the bar with time to kill. I have no idea what we did to pass the time, so I guess we had a good time.

MMC put on a good show, it looked like New Mexico drained them a bit. There was an appearance by a leather vest, almost a face-plant off the stage (twice), and some questionable shots. We hung around until closing time to the chants from the band for "One. More. Round! One. More. Round.!" LOL

I've got to get things cleared off my schedule for Friday so I can head to OKC early. I want to catch MMC open up at the WD for Chris Knight. I doubt I'll stick around for his set. He's here in town next Thursday.

Funniest thing I heard today: Person A: Why didn't you call me? Person B: I had one phone call...I'm not wasting it to get my ass chewed out.

I've got 19 minutes to kill...

Things I've grown weary of reading/hearing/watching (most of which, I acknowledge, amount to nothing in comparison to other issues):

* Advertisements for Bee Movie! I admit, I'll be going to see it with my sister and nieces tomorrow afternoon. However, Jerry Seinfeld's takeover of NBC with promotions for this movie has been ridiculous (with the exception of his appearance on 30 Rock).

* Having a client tell me what my job entails. Unless I'm on retainer (which I am not in this case), I will not be writing letters on your behalf, I will not call people for you, I will not conduct research for you...got it? If you want me to do something outside the realm of the atty/client contract you initially signed, you'll be paying me another fee to do so.

* Sadly, Dan Patrick's new radio show. It's just not the same. I find it so boring and stale. I hate the format change. I miss the interaction he had with his old production staff. I don't like the pre-recorded interviews. I miss Keith Olbermann.

* Feeling bad about not whole-heartedly agreeing with the court decision regarding the funeral protesters. While I absolutely share the same emotions/sentiment as those who rejoice in the outcome, I have a gnawing fear about the damage this decision could have in relation to the protections afforded by the First Amendment. We've already sustained losses, and there doesn't seem to be an outcry for a return to the old way. I am still amazed at some regulations I read when preparing documents...it's pretty staggering what we've already given up in the name of safety.

Things I can't get enough of:

* Listening to Kevin Smith's SMODCAST. There's no better way to kill an hour during the week when driving to and from the office. Whether he's with his usual partner, Scott Mosier, or his wife or long-time friends, the show always makes me laugh.

* PBS. I've been a Public Broadcast-watching fool. Last week, I was enthralled by Nature, which focused on the Colony Collapse Disorder wiping out a significant portion of honey bees. It's a pretty bleak outlook if some answers aren't found to stall the spread of the disorder. I have also been enjoying this season of Independent Lens. This week's was about democracy in action. As an experiment, a democratic election was put in place in a Chinese primary school for the position of class-monitor. Voting was an entirely foreign concept to these kids. They had no idea what it meant...but boy, did they get the hang of it. The smear campaigns, the mud-slinging, the back-door deals and promises...it was fascinating. Austin City Limits is looking good, too. Wilco and Arcade Fire are both featured in the upcoming weeks.

* Making plans with friends to see them soon. I'll be visiting OKC next week and then, it's off to DFW the weekend after Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see everybody.

* Thanksgiving & the Fiesta-themed Party (Which is totally redundant if you speak Spanish! LOL) I can't wait to see everyone.