BarBri Instructors and Sexual References

As my BarBri course continues, I'm noticing an irritating and somewhat disgusting habit that many of the instructors have: trying to captivate our attention through the use of often inappropriate sexual references. Of course, none of the women instructors have had this problem, just the men, and they are all quite a bit older than my dad. It's like we are learning the law from dirty old men!

An example: While explaining that contracts cannot be one sided (both parties need to be bound, etc.), the instructor said, "there is no masturbating in contracts." Now really, this guy had to be pushing 70, which was like my grandfather making that comment. Yuck. Another example: today our torts instructor discussed an erotic dream as part of a hypothetical for a good 2 minutes, and the dream ultimately had nothing to do with any of the law we were discussing. It added absolutely nothing, except to make us all really uncomfortable. WTF is up with these creepsters?!? Oh, another random thing: the torts instructor also likes to refer to people "pooping" themselves. Honestly, it's like I'm being taught by 10 year old boys.

It might seem like I'm overreacting, but anyone who knows me knows I'm not a prude and that I'm not offended super easily (I went through that stage when I was a radical in college ;) ). However, these instructors just gross me out, and I'm not alone in that feeling. One of my classmates actually left early today (though, I think she left not only because the man was offensive, but also because he is the slowest instructor EVER). My other classmates all discussed it while we were on our breaks. Honestly, it's just gross, and I want it to stop.

So, BarBri instructors, here's the word: Disgusting sexual references aren't needed to capture and maintain our attention, and you can be funny without them. Most of us made it past the 4th grade long ago, and most of us already are professionals. Please treat us that way. Also, please explore and further develop your senses of humor; there are other ways to be funny. Seriously, no one wants to learn the law from Creepy McCreepsters.

Peace out.

Song lyrics

Currently, I have a funny song running through my head: Let My Love Open the Door to Your Heart. That, a song by Phish, and Pocketful of Sunshine have been running through my head for days. This might not seem abnormal, but really, if I could reduce the number of songs and song lyrics in my brain, I think I could know a lot more law (and other stuff too). I may not be able to tell you much about Contracts or Evidence, but I'm somehow able to sing songs I first heard in the 2nd grade. How is that helpful? My brain needs a delete button, like on the computer. I need more free space! Alas, I'm sure Madonna's Holiday will be running through my brain as I sit for the bar exam. Hot. :)

Kami

Hey all,

Please keep my friend Kami and her mom Andrea (and really her whole family) in your thoughts (and if you're religious, prayers). Kami's mom has cancer, and she's in the hospital right now. I'm not sure how serious it is at the moment, but she and her family can use all the support they can get. Thanks much!

You can read more about Andrea's battle here.

More from Planned Parenthood

I've still been volunteering at Planned Parenthood, and the other day, a woman told me that she wished I would use my talents for good. Being a well trained escort, I dutifully ignored her and went about my work, but I couldn't help but smile. Really, she's sure assuming a lot, as how does she know I have other talents? Also, if she and her cronies didn't spend their mornings at the clinic, I COULD use my talents for something else. Sigh. As much as I wanted to shout that back, there is no point - they just don't get it.

In other PP news, I had to threaten to call the police the other day, as the protestors were blocking cars and thrusting literature into the cars - all not allowed. Yuck. They backed off a bit after the warning, but they were still aggressive. One of these days, one of them will be run over by a car, and I don't think I will be able to help feeling a little...idk, satisfied. I know that sounds awful, but these people are insane, and they violate federal law by blocking the cars. Obviously, I don't want anyone to be seriously harmed, but perhaps getting their feet ran over would teach them a lesson. Probably not, given their nutty ways, but you never know.

That's all from PP world for now.

Road Trip!

After I take the bar exam at the end of July, I have almost a whole month off before I start working at the firm. I'm going to be spending 8 days in Alaska during that time, but that still leaves a lot of free time. So, after some thinking, I've decided to spend the first two weeks of August on a road trip out west, specifically to three big national parks: Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier. I plotted a driving route, and it seems doable. After I do some more research, I might add more stops or I might decide to do less. Not sure yet, but I'm really excited regardless. The only thing that worries me is camping by myself, but I think I can handle it. However, if anyone out there can take time off in August, you are welcome to join me! Just let me know - I would love it. :)

Some guidance for myself

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. ~ Aristotle

The only journey is the journey within. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Yes, know thyself: in great concerns or small, Be this thy care, for this, my friend, is all. ~ Juvenal

All the mistakes I make arise from forsaking my own station and trying to see the object from another person's point of view. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness. ~ Shakti Gawain

Why some law students suck

Everyday before BarBri class begins, the administrator makes announcements. These announcements often include statements like, settle down, don't panic, study less, we know what we are doing, don't burn out, etc. Now, since I haven't studied a whole lot yet, I think these announcements are hysterical. Why? Because she is responding to students who email her and say, "the Pace program isn't enough work, I need more to do, what do I do if I finish all the assignments, I'm only studying 10 hours a day, is that enough, etc." For the record, the Pace program they provide is an INSANE amount of work, and if people are actually finishing that and wondering what to do next, they need to get a life. And fast. People like this crack me up, and they remind me why many, many law students suck. Settle down, do the work, and get a life. Seriously people. You are stressing me out, and that's just not cool.

Pictures up

The pics from Girls in Wonderland and the Milwaukee road trip are posted. Enjoy!

Random Road Trip

On Saturday night, B and I decided to go to the Twins game on Father's Day...in Milwaukee. Her family was also going, and it's really not that far from the TC. So, we bought tickets, packed up the car, stopped in Chaska to visit my dad for Father's Day (you're the best, Dad!), and hit the road...right into a giant thunderstorm! It was so windy I had to hold the steering wheel with both hands and concentrate really hard on driving in a straight line. B helped out, but Matty slept peacefully through the whole thing! Thanks, Matty! After we outran the storms, we had no problem and pulled into B's parents' driveway at about 2 am.

The next morning, we awoke and hit the road to Milwaukee. The drive took about 1.5 -2 hours, and we arrived in plenty of time. Traffic was a bit nuts, and I got a little snarky at B - sorry bout that. Anyway, we parked, got our tix, and went to our seats, which were literally in the first row of the lower deck in the outfield - directly above the Twins' bullpen! We were so close that I could have conversed with the players! Really, really cool seats.

Unfortunately, the Twins lost, but it was still a really fun game. However, and this didn't really put too much of a damper on things, we had one of those REALLY annoying fans behind us. The kind that gets drunk and then starts shouting really stupid things at the opposing team. He was obnoxious, and at one point, I actually muttered something toward him and he shut up for a bit. Our seat neighbors also said something to him, and they verbally sparred for a bit. Really, I'm all about cheering for one's team, but there is no need to be a total douche at the game. His friend had a girlfriend with him, but douche was single...I wonder why?

After the game, B's family actually got to go on the field (they had special father's day tickets which were sold out by the time we decided to go). It was really fun to watch them play catch and run around a bit, and we got some good pics of them doing fun stuff. What a cool idea in general - I have never been on a major league field and would love to check it out some time.

We then headed back to Neenah to pick up Matty, and after dinner and a crazy detour in Stevens Point, we were on our way back to Mpls. Here's to random road trips - I love you, even at $4 a gallon (thank god I drive a Civic!)!

BarBri and Me

Last week, I discovered night BarBri classes. BarBri offers class in the AM and the PM to accommodate different schedules, and registered students can attend either. I wasn't feeling well one morning, and I decided to attend the night class. Let's just say it will be hard to go back to the morning gig. It was so much more chill, and I'm a night person anyhow. The only bad thing is that if I go to night class every day, I won't be able to see most people, as it completely conflicts with a regular schedule...a bit of a dilemma I guess.

My other BarBri dilemma...actually studying. It's just so damn hard to get motivated. I go to the classes, but other than that, it's hard to do more. Most of my friends feel exactly the same. As one person said, June 16 seems like a good date to start (obviously, that's today). Ha! I'm starting to feel mildly panicked though, so I best kick it into gear soon. Yuck. Oh well, a month and a half of BarBri won't kill me...or will it? ;)