Running Partners and Law School Stories

Just got back from a run with Jim, who is in town from Boulder for professional development! If we had met before the run, I would have told him that I heard that people can just go to a Chinatown massage parlor when they want to be developed, professionally. Though I guess a top-level research institution works as well.

To be serious, Jim is an outstanding guy who happens to be a great runner too, which reinforces my idea that it was probably unfair to steal his wallet. Wait, that's not right. It actually reinforces my idea that the types of human beings that run are generally the same types that make the world a better place just by being themselves. Jim greeted me with a huge smile, and interspersed conversation about his work at the Nature Conservancy with genuine interest in my life. And so it goes with almost all of the running partners I have been fortunate enough to come across. I think that when we push ourselves to our physical limits, when we truly experience the vulnerability of feeling small, it is damn near impossible to look at anything but the big picture. And the big picture of life is that we are here to help each other get through this thing---whatever it is.

Awkward transition ostrich makes an appearance.

So running has been incredibly important as a device to maintain sanity, as has finding humor in the little things. 2 notes from a class today:

1. Today in class, the professor dramatically paused after making a particularly important point. Everyone in the room turned completely silent. Suddenly, one student slowly raised his hand. Now, this student is known to answer questions with questions, which is only good on Jeopardy or if you are asked the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow. With this in mind, the professor stared at his hand, clearly in existential angst. The room turned completely silenter. Finally, the professor spoke...."I don't think I want to do that right now". OH SNAP! LAW SCHOOL BURN! IMAGINARY HIGH FIVE TEACH!

The low-five might have been an inappropriate greeting for office hours.

2. In our Criminal Law book, every section finishes with questions designed to make us think 'critically'. Now, for me, 'critically' usually means 'skip that shit because it won't be on the test'. But on this day, I must have been absent-minded and accidentally did all of the reading. And today the book said this (picking up on the last 3 of a string of 10 questions):

"If not, how should these issues be addressed? Are you tired of questions? If not, why not?"

SCREW YOU CASEBOOK AUTHORS. EACH OF YOUR QUESTIONS IS THE INTELLECTUAL EQUIVALENT OF A CRAPPY ROCK AND A SHITTY HARD PLACE. YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND MY PAIN.

They wrote another book as well.

Anyway, things are really good here in Durham, and I love the law school so far. The weather has made an amazing Fall turn too! Thanks so much for taking the time to read, and I hope things are awesome wherever you are!