Whoa... - myspace blog post

So today I did something big, something that was very hard for me. It was both good and hard. It made me feel happy and sad, and also a bit proud for doing it. I won't go into any more details than that...just that it's funny that you never know where life will bring you and if you are making the right choices. A simple thing can call everything into question...I'm going to let Dar sum things up. I've always loved this song, and it really speaks to me.

Spring Street by Dar Williams:

"I'm sorry that I left you
With your questions all alone
But I was too happy drivingAnd too angry to drive home
I was thinking about the easy courage
Of my distant friends
They said I could let this bridge wash out
And never make amends

Can I blow this small town
Make a big sound
Like the star of a film noir postcard
Can I just forget the frames I shared with you

And I can't believe what they're saying
They're saying I can change my mind
Start over on Spring Street
I'm welcome anytime

Well there are Spring Street storefront daisies
Floating on their neon stems
There are new shirts on the clothes racks
Should I feel like one of them
I can find a small apartment
Where a struggling artist died
And pretend because I pay the rent
I know that pain inside

Yeah, let's watch the tour bus stop and tell us
Here's the scene of a spring green life dream
Take the best part
Write it in your caffeine diary

And I can't believe what they're saying
They're saying I can leave tonight
Start over on Spring Street
I'm welcome anytime

This year April had a blizzard
Just to show she did not care
And the new dead leaves
They made the trees look like children with gray hair
But I'll push myself up through the dirt
And shake my petals free
I'm resolved to being born
And so resigned to bravery

Yeah the one who leaves this also grieves this
Too much rain on a prairie flood plain
Houses floating, love is like that
We built on the river

And that's to say, yeah I'm leaving
But I don't have to go there
I don't have to go to Spring Street'
Cause it's spring everywhere... "

Amazing Grace - myspace post

I'm in the story telling mood...

The year was 1999 and I was the BLOC (big lesbian on campus) at good ol' CSB. Graduation, and thus the real world, rapidly approached. I sought solace in a J Term course called Sexuality and Spirituality, figuring as a lifelong skeptic, I could use some help in the spirituality department. However, the class was not what I expected at all. Needless to say, I've told many a story from that class, including the real meaning of hiking, but the one that I will never forget is the wonderful amazing grace story...

One of our assignments was to write a homily, sort of a story/sermon about ourselves. I wrote my coming out story but told it from the perspective of a girl named Jocelyn and I described her life at CSB...clever I know. Anyway, I delivered my spell binding homily to the class, revealing myself as the true Jocelyn, and I then surprisingly received a standing ovation. If that wasn't enough, suddenly someone burst out, I think that we should sing Amazing Grace!

Before I knew what was happening, I was being shuttled to the middle of the circle and everyone began to sing Amazing Grace around me. The whole song. I'm not lying. While the singing was taking place, each person individually came up to me and gave me a hug. My task was to not bust out laughing. Seriously. Somehow I made it through and left class never to speak of the event again.

Years go by and I rarely think of the event, except to chuckle a bit when hearing the song. However, one day out of the blue, I shared the tale with one Ms. Erickson who thought it was the best story ever. Now the story is the stuff of legend and is often retold, but each time I had to hug more people and the song gets longer...

Why I'm sharing this tonight I don't know...perhaps you too will find it hysterical. Just to help you relive my moment, here are the lyrics to that lovely song:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

If you ever see my laughing during this song, even if it's at a funeral, you now know why. Please don't hold it against me. Seriously.

Yours always,
Schmiddy

Finals, what finals? - myspace blog post

So, I've somehow managed to convince myself that finals are really not a big deal...or I've just stopped caring. I guess we will find out soon enough, when they actually do arrive. I just cannot get motivated to do work. It's honestly nuts. Instead of homework, I go shopping, I talk on the phone, I IM, I take Beni to soccer (which was an amazing, amazing experience, I really can't say enough about it...I will explain more about this in person to anyone who wants to know), I play on Myspace, etc. However, I also find that all of these things bring me happiness, whereas law school seems to suck the joy right out of my life. Thus, those things win out, even though finals are coming! At least until finals actually get here, and then I imagine I will work pretty hard for at least those two weeks. Some things don't ever change completely.Ha.

I'm excited to start my summer position with Halleland (www.halleland.com for anyone who cares). It's really a great firm and I think it's a good fit for me. I hope I enjoy the work and do well, because if all goes well, they will make me an offer for employment after graduation. That would be fabulous, especially since the market for lawyers is brutal right now (stupid St. Thomas and their "we hate the sin, not the sinner" ways). Ironic that I went to law school and not grad school for teaching because I was worried about a lack of teaching jobs... Anyway, fingers crossed and I will be with Halleland in June of 2008 (or whenever they let new grads start).

Okay, I really, really must do some work. Adios mis amigos!

Inspiration - myspace blog post

Life lessons:

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
-Helen Keller

To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.
-Albert Camus

I like these. If you don't like them, screw you. See, I'm already following number 2! Progress is good!

I can tell you all about many state legislatures... - myspace blog spot

So it's been a while since I wrote in here. Life has been busy, and it's actually been busy with many good things! I've been dancing a couple of times (I was present for the "bar fight" that Michelle so eloquently described in her recent blog; I even steadied her after the alleged assault. I say alleged because Austin has retained an attorney and will be fighting the charges), I've been to several movies, including the omnitheater, I've met new people (shout out to Mack and Jill in particular), I've reconnected with some old friends, I've spent time with my current friends, I went shopping for some new clothes that make me happy, and other good things. I have more fun plans lined up in the future as well. All in all, things are going pretty well.

Only two downers: one, I'm sick AGAIN. Insane. So far I'm fighting through and haven't missed class/other obligations. Second, finals are really, really soon and my schedule doesn't leave much time to prepare for them! Yikes! Oh well, they are approaching and I can't stop them, so what's the point in panicking?

Anyway, that's what is up with me for the most part...school, teaching, internship, illness, but most importantly, some fun!

Law School Procrastination - myspace blog post

So I had a very good weekend. Dinner, dancing, movies, friends, family and fun. All the perfect reason to procrastinate and avoid law school work! I would write more, but I'm tired and either need to do some of that work or go to bed and do it in the morning. Shout out to all my peeps who made the weekend awesome...and to those I missed while having fun too!

Soggy Sunday - myspace blog post

So it's a soggy Sunday, sort of depressing honestly. I'm sick of rain. I need a nice sunny day so I can get outside and do something!

I went to watch my friend Steve play hockey last night and it was really fun. I got to see my friend Kevin too, and it was really nice to reconnect with both of them. Plus, the hockey was pretty decent. I never know what to expect when I go watch amateur sports. The level of play is often all over the map. Anyway, they were pretty good and Steve's team won. Steve even scored a goal-I think I was his good luck charm.

I'm going to the omnitheater tonight to see two movies. It's omnifest, which is the best because you can see 6 different omnifilms in a month period. If you go to more than one movie in a day, you get a discount on the second ticket. I'm seeing the Katrina film and the one about Australia. Both look amazing. Nice plug for the Science Museum huh?

It's spring break from teaching this week, which is quite nice. It means I get to sleep in tomorrow and I have NOTHING to do on Friday (Hamline is off for Good Friday too). That rarely happens, and I'm quite excited. Perhaps I will catch up on homework...odds aren't very good but a girl can hope.

I watched Borat last night before going to the hockey game (it started quite late). I have to say I didn't laugh all that much. I found the movie quite stupid honestly. And disgusting. I never need to see a fat, hairy naked man on top of another naked man in my entire life. Ick. Of course, the image is still stuck in my head. Anyway, I know tons of people found the movie hilarious. It just didn't do it for me.

Well, that's enough for now. I'm sure you are all dying to hear every detail of my life! ;)

Eh...I look like I've been beaten! - myspace blog post

From Forrest Gump:

(Jenny) Pray with me Forrest.

(Forrest and Jenny) Dear God, Make me a bird so I can fly far, far far away from here.

Femme or Butch - myspace blog post

Okay, I don't really believe I'm either butch or femme, and I don't think the labels are all that important, but I thought this was sort of fun so I stole it from MJ.

Score two points for each yes answer. That is your lesbian percentage.
1. Have you ever shaved your head?
2. Do you have hairy legs...right now?
3. Have you ever changed your own oil?
4. Have you ever changed a tire?
5. Do you have a favorite football team?
6. Do you own boys jeans?
7. Do you wear boxers? (atleast once a week)?
8. Have you ever owned a rodent/ reptile?
9. Have you ever owned a SUV or a Subaru?
10. Do you wear sports bras? (while not playing sports)?
11. Do you go by your last name?
12. Do you prefer beer?
13. Have you played sports since high school?
14. Do you carry a wallet?
15. Have you ever watched the L word or queer as folk?
16. Have you ever watched Sunday football?
17. Do you wear basball hats? (once or more a week)?
18. Do you chug beer for fun?
19. Do you prefer straight shots over girly (mixed)shots?
20. Do you hate George Bush/ Republicans?
21. Do you like Ani Difranco?
22. Have you been to Lilith Fair? (or other group womens concert)?
23. Have you ever punched, or wrestled with a friend for fun?
24. Have you ever worn a strap on?
25. Is your watch wider than a half inch?
26. Do you wear shorts that hang below your knees?
27. Do you own a fleece vest?
28. Do you own a motorcycle?
29. Ever dressed in drag?
30. Do you play vidoe games?
31. Do you have a tattoo that matches a girl you dated, says her name, or is a picture of her?
32. Ever moved in with someone within the first month of dating?
33. Ever said you loved someone you were dating within the first month of dating?
34. Do you wear cologne?
35. Do you wear mens deodorant?
36. Do you listen to Melissa Etheridge?
37. Do you have gaged ears?
38. Do you have tattoos on your arms?
39. Have you ever worn a tie?
40. Do you own GIA?
41. Do you own Better than Chocolate?
42. Do you have a star tattoo?
43. Do you have a rainbow tattoo?
44. Have you ever made out with a room mate or best friend?
45. Do you wear wife beaters?
46. Have you ever taken a womens studies class?
47. Do you wear mens button up shirts?
48. Have you ever asked a stranger their sign?
49. Have you ever used a sex toy on someone else?
50. Do you wear tennis shoes/ skate shoes regularly?

Less than 50 is femme, more than 50 is butch. I'm under 50 but close to the middle, just in case you wanted to know.

Spring Break - myspace blog post

So, I'm on spring break from law school, which is quite nice. However, I am still teaching and also need to complete tons of internship hours this week (not to mention catch up in some classes), so it's not all that much of a break. At least I don't have class.

This weekend was Amanda's wedding, and it was absolutely fabulous. She looked beautiful, Blair looked great, and everything went smoothly-just about perfect really. I danced so much that my feet and calves actually hurt the next day. Insane, but really a terrific time. Congrats to Amanda and Blair, and all my love to you both! To everyone else, check out my pictures, as I posted a few from the wedding day (including me in the lovely green dress with my hair done).

In other excellent news, I played volleyball last night! It's the first time I really played a sport since I tore my ACL in the summer of 2005, and it felt absolutely terrific to play again. I hit well but passed terribly, but I really can't complain since I hadn't played in so long. Perhaps a softball comeback is in order for this summer...too bad cleats still scare me a bit. If only I could get the sound of the ACL tearing out of my head, and the realization that my leg was bending in a way that no leg should ever bend...maybe I'll start with the batting cages and see how that goes. I would love to play again. Stacey and I are also chatting about recreating the basketball team for next winter, so if anyone out there plays, let me know. We particularly need tall people that can play forward/post...but we would also take warm bodies. Finding basketball players is not easy.

I also went bowling at Park Tavern last night with some of my fabulous law school friends. A fun time was had by all, and you can't beat the deal we got-bowling is free after 9! You just have to pay for your shoes. Rock on!

Back to internship research...