Thanksgivings

My sanity is anchored by music alone. I turn to my stereo for comfort, which is why I dedicate Thanksgivings to the following lovelies:

Good Old War.

My friends will vouch that when a band I love is discussed I often exclaim "THEY ARE MY BABIES!" But really - no band are as much my babies as Good Old War. I've adopted Keith, Tim and Dan as big brothers which is why I give Thanksgivings to them. Comprised of the reminents of Days Away (still my favorite band ever), Good Old War is fronted by Keith Goodwin, whose voice I can only describe as is fresh air blowing across your face in the light of spring sun. Their three part harmonies make you want to dance and sing, transcending you to a world where its 1970's sounding but oh so 2010 feeling.

Cast Spells.

Thanksgivings go out to Cast Spells because it is exactly what genius, Dave Davison is - quirky, thoughtful, and mellow. I first met Dave when his band Maps and Atlases was playing a show in Pittsburgh. I was stuck at work and couldn't go to it, but after a series of phone calls was able to offer up Dave and his bandmates sleeping quarters on my couches and floor that night. Everytime I've ran into Dave after that, I've been greeted with a huge hug and hello. Of Dave's many projects, I've been absolutely astonished with the beauty and simplicity of Cast Spells. I want everyone to be as big a Dave Davison fan as I am, so for those who can't appreciate the raw technical nature of Maps and Atlases, Cast Spells offers easy listening dribbles of such an amazing man.

Female Vocalists

I rarely find myself drawn to female vocalists. Perhaps its because I dig heavier more technically challenging music ( things that require a commitment to listening ) and more often than not females vocalists dig themselves into more bland pop music vibes . Marnie Stern and Emily Haines were the only real female front women who got heavy listening in my iTunes until today, but damn, move over ladies - Lisa Papineau in this Big Sir action is fabulous.

Delightful Insight

Props to @catrocketship on this one.

I give up...

I don't really give up, but for now I'm settling that I do not have the time or energy to blog daily, weekly or monthly for the matter. This sets a low threshold, thus taht you'll be surprised when I actually do jot my thoughts down.

That aside - I muse with others semi-frequently about my pure annoyances with other law students. Primarily the fact they all hang out in gaggles and rarely spend time with people who endure problems in their day that aren't "Will Professor X call on me during Evidence?" and "Can you believe Professor Y wants us to read 30 pages for tomorrow?". I've strived hard to make friends who have real jobs, live in the real world, and work from 8-5. The world of IRAC-ing and the argumentative nature of law students is not healthy when your social life and connection to the community exists within 1L's, 2L's and 3L's.

Over the weekend my roommate and I threw a housewarming party. I was tentative before the party, that the strange grouping of my fellow students, my roommate (an attorney)'s lawyer friends and our combonation of white collar (and a few blue collar) workers would cause a massive clash. I am proud to report that with the help of a little alcohol spiked Gatorade drink - (there was full disclosure that the jug contained a potentially dangerous concoction of flavors and alcohols) - all parties mingled and got along in great fashion.

I was perhaps most excited that my fellow students who exist only to chat each other up and argue about Constitutional Law and drop FRCP rules were able to connect on a human level - legalese aside. All parties involved had a pleasant time and I hope the party encouraged my law school friends to meet folks outside the library. (Or maybe encourage me to reconsider my bias towards fellow students).

My own lil corner of the library-verse.

As 2L's we were finally able to enter a lottery for carrels. I won a delightful spot in the back of a wing which has proved very quiet. Too quiet. I now remember why studying in the library doesn't work for me: I cannot listen to headphones without tapping my fingers/feet/typing to the beat.

Yes. I type to the beat of music, which means I often get lost in a train of thought that doesn't get appropriately recorded because I have focused far too much on typing along with a slow, steady snare. That said, if you have any musical suggestions that are both study appropriate and lend well to 100wpm typing, do let me know.

I have yet to meet my carrel neighbors. I figured they'd have left me a "welcome to the neighborhood" note or highlighter by now. (A plate of cookies would be nice too, but since our librarians are like drug dogs who sniff out food eaters* - delicious baked goods probably wouldn't bode well.)

Since I've yet to finish my readings for the week, I should probably stop attempting to playing keyboard percussionist to this song and get back to the books.

*We cannot eat in our law library. Some find it annoying - but since passive eating that comes with studying is always a killer to waistlines - I prefer to think of the library as a really expensive weight loss center with LOTS of books.

free music

I've always argued that for an artist to make money, they need to make fans feel a part of them, to deliver a sense of community and connectivity. Sargent House is my second family, a group of bands who are 100% amazing. They do what they do, on their own terms, communicating their music in exactly they way they want. I have huge respect them all as musicians, people, and friends.

There is something for everyone at Sargent House. So download this free sampler and give it a spin. If you find something you like - let me know. I can guide you towards awesome albums, merch, and shows - so you can get a full Sargent House experience.

Ms. Classhole: Tale #1 of the semester

Today the resident gunner (to be named Ms. Classhole) had her phone go off 3 times. Not once. Not twice. THRICE!

The jazzy ring tone was somewhat laughable for the woman, an adult learner, who still hasn't figured out that "silent" is an option. To continue the disruption , she finally decided to turn her flip phone off - and it came with a jolly shut down tone. It left me uttering, "Really? Is this happening?" to the people next to me.

Now, when you disturb class multiple times, it's best for you to do as much as possible to melt into your seat and go unnoticed for the rest of the week. Of course, Ms. Classhole, the antithesis of considerate, was sure to pipe in with many a question, and ever so invaluable input.

All of this got me worked up. Should someone tell her people are driven crazy by her questions, input and 8-bit ringtone going off during class? Perhaps the only way to inspire corrective behavior is to insist such behavior is needed. I wish there were an etiquette book on dealing with classholes.**

End rant.

** or perhaps a CALI exercise.