Hire Me and I'll Name My First Born After You

Finally, I sent out some job applications today. Around 15. I also got a random call from an employer involved in language testing who saw my resume on Monster. Too bad I don't read and write Chinese. That should be my new hobby - learning my damn language. They gave me a spontaneous phone interview which lasted like 20 minutes. It went well. Not quite as scary as previously imagined. Friday, I'm going to buy a suit and do some practice interviews next week at Career Resources. Also, I want my car radio back in commission! Singing to myself has made me start talking to myself. I'm sure this is unhealthy.

Time Should Be on My Side. Interview Qs.

A friend of mine in school is so modest that I only found out yesterday that he ran the Boston marathon, plays at least two musical instruments, makes documentary films about refugees, and has traveled the country numerous times. I'm very inspired to learn all of this. I've always said that law school saps the life out of you, but really, it doesn't have to. I need some hobbies. Things that are cheap and I really enjoy. Things that don't feel like work and are very rewarding. I've already kicked my two worst habits - the only one to really work on now is procrastination. I need to make better use of my time. Okay, no TV and no insanely long phone calls for two weeks. Instead, I'll focus on my studies, send out my resume, cover letter, and references since that's finally done, and think of answers for these interview questions. If I do have extra time, I'll go to the gym, do some creative writing, or brush up on my Chinese.

I got a list of interview questions from Career Services at the law school and am even more nervous about interviewing now. Like I know this stuff... Here's a sampler for you:

1. What do you expect to be earning in five years?
2. What do you really want in life?
3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
4. How do you determine or evaluate success?
5. How would you describe yourself?

Paralysis. Dirtiness. Tonight. Colin Powell and Nature of "Co-equal" Relationships.

Lately, I feel paralyzed when it comes to doing anything useful. I'm going to blame this cold that didn't really go away and now is definitely back. But, really, it's a more deeply rooted problem called "procrastination" in academia and "being a lazy ass" in the real world.

Right now, I'm not, but I feel dirty like I need a shower.

Tonight, Sean is going to help me out w/ the Volvo, then I'm going to Babak's (Anthony's) get-together.

Colin Powell came to speak at UB last Wednesday. Word is he received a standing ovation while the protestors outside the arena decried him as a war criminal. You know, it's a touchy subject... Just how far do you go for your job? For me, it depends on if what I'm asked to do strangles my conscience. Operate AV equipment for the Commencement I was supposed to walk at - a bit indigant, but, eh, alright... Participate in the systematic extermination of millions of Jews - NOOO. Though you provide goods and services for a (presumably) comparable wage, the relationship between employer and employee is hardly equal. The topic of employment is still referred to as Master-Servant law in legal digests which key you to the appropriate statutes. It's odd that what seems should be equal relationships - landlord-tenant, employer-employee, buyer-seller - because you're exchanging equal commodities should be so lopsided. Sure, there are countless factors to account for the phenomenon, but on its face, it doesn't seem right that there should a dominant and a submissive party in a co-equal transaction.

Busy Busy Busy

To Do:
1. 4 short papers on books I haven't read
2. Domestic Violence Law Outline
3. A LOT of reading
4. Finish cover letter
5. Read lit on interviewing so I don't look like an idiot (if that can be helped)
6. Do some research on the companies I'm applying to customize cover letters
7. Send out cover letter, resume, and references
8. Sell Volvo before it starts snowing
9. Start International Environmental Law paper

Arrgghh!! I think I'll be busy until I die.

Cooking up a storm. Volvo's running. English grad students.

Amy's dad, Joe, and his wife, Kris, are visiting her this weekend, which is great for me b/c:
1. Kris gave Amy a crockpot which is being put to good use
2. Amy made a pumpkin pie and I had a slice
3. Amy cooked dinner for them one day, so I had delicious jerk chicken, veggies, and a nice salad
4. Kris baked an apple pie - if any is left by the time I get out of work, I'll probably have a slice
5. I'm sleeping with Amy! About time I slept w/ someone...
6. The house smells like beef stew and pie... mmm...
7. Joe started the Volvo (quite an ordeal), so I'm relieved to know I won't be on alternator #5, and can finally try to sell the car
8. I miss family... they're not mine, but I can pretend

Gary and I went out to Cozumel w/ a bunch of people from the English department last night. Great bar on Elmwood and Allen. One of the guys kept buying everyone drinks - no complaints here. I get along really well w/ people from the English department. They're my kind of people. Law students are fine, but I have way more in common with English grad students. At one point I got into a debate over politics w/ one of the girls. Totally inadvertant, don't ask me how it happened. I was tempted to rip her argument to shreds b/c things were getting heated as she really wanted to get her point across. But, she's 21 and I was just out to have a good time, so I graciously let her belabor her point. It bothers me when someone takes on an argumentative tone when discussing things so that it seems like they'll explode if you have a different point of view. The point is to make your point w/o sounding like an asshole. Moment of realization - I probably sounded like an asshole at 21.

I would buy this CD...

1. Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside
2. Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
3. Blackstar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli, ft. Common) - Respiration
4. Blackstar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) - Definition
5. Kid Rock ft. Sheryl Crow - Picture
6. Bob Seager - Turn the Page
7. Joss Stone - Right to be Wrong
8. Joss Stone - At Last
9. Allman Brothers - Stormy Monday
10. Jimi Hendrix - Angel
11. Lynard Skynard - Simple Man
12. Santana - Black Magic Woman
13. Santana ft. Chad Kroger - Why Don't You and I
14. Sublime - 40 Oz. to Freedom
15. Tim McGraw - Barbecue Stain
16. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
17. Lost Boys - Rene
18. Pulp - Common People
19. Rick Springfield - Jesse's Girl
20. Gavin DeGraw - Chariot

Garlic and Robitussin. Chris.

This is a hell of a cold. Bleah. I've been eating cloves of garlic like I'm expecting a vampire attack and downing Robitussin with reckless disregard. The working out is on hold until I can breathe through my nose again. I was starting to think I would kind of miss Buffalo until a few days ago when the beautiful summer turned into a cold, wet, and dreary haze. Thank God this is my last winter here. Bleah.

Although this has been a good weekend b/c Chris is visiting from Albany. We went to the driving range yesterday, grabbed some lunch, and have been just hanging out. : )

What Energy Policy?

Don't be fooled... it looks like a mini-van or even an Econo-van, but I can almost guarantee it's Scion-sized or smaller. This little guy, the Wuling Sunshine, gets 43 mpg city driving and costs the equivalent of $5000 USD. If China can do this, why can't America at least try? We emit 25% of the world's greenhouse gases, the primary factor in global warming/climate change, and we don't sign on to the Kyoto Protocol when most other industrialized countries have, we don't have more stringent CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards like European countries, and the federal government sits on its hands when it could fund fuel alternatives. Let's just not b/c a few people want to get exceedingly, disgustingly, disturbingly rich and being a superpower comes with a superego (not in Freudian terms) which doesn't play well with others.