As I write, I have a tissue hanging out of one of my nostrils. At this time it’s the left nostril, because that’s the one that won’t stop dripping. However, it changes sides every so often, so I have to stay on top of my game. I really hate having a cold, and I’ve got a real booger of a cold this time (pun intended).
POLITICS
I’ve been on a bit of a self-imposed media blackout this week, with the exception of the Drudge Report and the blogs that I regularly read. Seriously, I feel like my ears are going to start shooting blood if I have to hear any more crappy news about this economy. I made the mistake of watching Glenn Beck’s TV program on Thursday and I was so stressed out afterward that I had to have an adult beverage. Why is his show so stressful? I understand that his show on Friday was all about how to prepare for Armageddon, which I guess is being predicted for 2014. That assumes we’ll live through the end of the Mayan calendar, which runs out in 2012. Sometimes a girl just has to retreat into fantasyland for a while in order to keep her wits about her.
I did do some quick research into why moving control over the census to the White House, away from the Commerce Department, is such a big deal. Remember, Republican Senator Judd Gregg, who was nominated for Secretary of Commerce, withdrew his nomination supposedly because of this issue. It’s a big deal because it has to do with redistricting (or, as it used to be called, gerrymandering). The Democrats started hollering about a Republican being in charge of the 2010 census, so they stuck a provision into the “stimulus” bill that switched control of the census away from the Commerce Department and into the White House. Yes, they can.
MOVIES
Speaking of fantasyland, I watched a ton of movies this week.
Batman Begins (2005)
Loved this one. First of all, Christian Bale is fab-u-lous. Wish I had watched this before I watched the Dark Knight. Mini-Me watched it with me and loved it. Prior to these two Batman movies, she claimed to hate all movies about super heroes. Maybe I’ll try her on the Spiderman movies next.
Stepmom (1998)
Catharsis: A purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially pity and fear, described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on its audience. I haven’t bawled like that in a movie in a long time. It was grueling, but oh so wonderful.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Well, this wasn’t really what I had expected. Watched this one with F.C. and Mini-Me. Parts of it were pretty funny, but overall it was just kinda random. Maybe it’s one of those defining generational movies like Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club were for my generation. Anyway, I’m glad I watched it, but I’m also glad I borrowed it instead of buying it.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
I hadn’t watched this movie in a long time, and Mini-Me wanted to see it because one of her dance routines used this song. Totally corny and entertaining.
The Shadow (1994)
Another one watched with Mini-Me. This movie was just plain stupid. The acting was horrible and the plot was dumb. Don’t waste your time with this one.
BOOKS
Finally, finally, I finished reading The Great Gatsby. So much for my New Year’s resolution to read a book a week until law school starts. I don’t know what took me so long. It was a very good book, complete with star-crossed lovers and a tragic ending, just the way I like ‘em. For some reason, I had a hard time getting really into it until about halfway through the book, but I slogged on, and I’m glad I did. I think it would be worth a re-read sometime in a few years.
Next up: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Mini-Me wants to read it, but I know it’s a little controversial, so I want to read it first just to make sure it’s appropriate for her. I started it a few weeks ago, but I’m going to start over and try to get through it in a hurry. It’s the first in a trilogy.
LAW SCHOOL
Got an acceptance from school #3 this week. They offered a decent scholarship, renewable only if I stay in the top 25% of the class. Thanks, but no thanks. This particular school is much lower ranked than school #1, who offered me a better scholarship, renewable if I stay in the top half. School #2 still hasn’t offered me any scholarship money at all. Just waiting on school #4, which is quite a reach, and I wouldn’t even go to school there if they did accept me. I just wanted to see if I could get in. School #1 is where I’ll be, and hereafter it shall be called Ninja School of Law (NSOL).
This coming Friday is NSOL’s special day for scholarship recipients. I’ve already figured out what I’m going to wear — business casual is the official dress for the day — and I’m looking forward to meeting some of my classmates and professors.
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