8 More Weeks

Today is the halfway point between taking the California bar exam and finding out the results. It seems like so long ago that I was sitting in that huge room with 1000 other people taking that 3 day test. Hard to believe I'm only halfway to the results.

In other news, everyone is concerned about the financial crisis. To make sure I don't have all my eggs in one basket, I have opened accounts at a couple of different banks in the last couple of weeks. Several offer a better interest rate on their savings accounts if you open the accounts online. I did this, but was astonished that Citibank turned me down! For a savings account! &$*%@! What the hell? I was trying to give them money, not asking for any!

It could not have been my credit score, which at 793, is in the excellent range. The only thing I can think of is maybe they are getting so cheap that they don't even want to pay the interest rate they are advertising. I guess if they are trying to drive away customers they are being successful! I am now taking my business elsewhere.

How Many Points = An Ass Kicking???

As further proof that I have nothing to do these days, I pose the question, "In the game of Scrabble, how many points must you win by to consider it an 'ass-kicking' of your opponent?"

I think one needs to establish a hearty win by at least a 50 point spread to declare that an ass-kicking has occurred. My boyfriend, on the other hand, thinks that even a one point win qualifies. He thinks this, of course, because he beat me by 8 measly points last night.

Let's review our last 3 games, on which I have kept these mental notes. Three games ago, I beat him by 60 points- an obvious ass-kicking by probably anyone's standards. Two games ago, he beat me by 40. I suppose that could have been an ass-kicking, if one established the ass-kicking level as a relatively low number such as 25. This past game, he won by 8 points. However, if you note, the cumulative scores of the past 3 games would put me in the lead by 12 points....not an overall ass-kicking by my standards, but apparently one to my boyfriend.

So even if my ass was kicked last night, my boyfriend's ass has been cumulatively kicked! :)

Determination of Moral Character

In order to practice law in California, you must graduate from an accredited law school, pass the bar examination, and receive a positive "moral character" determination. This determination is made by conducting a background check on all applicants. Law students are advised that this process takes up to 180 days and to submit this huge application at the beginning of their final year.

I believe I sent mine in sometime in April. Today I received a letter from the Committee of Bar Examiners informing me that "the processing of your Application for Determination of Moral Character has been completed. The Committee of Bar Examiners is pleased to advise you that you have been found to possess the good moral character required for certification to practice law in California." : )

Because I underwent an extensive background check before working for the Department of Justice when I was at the U.S. Attorney's Office, I have to wonder if the CBE was able to access that information, as all my references were not contacted. Whatever the case, I'm glad to have the second of these three requirements now fulfilled.

Wanger vs. Autry

Gotta love this image that the Fresno Bee used to promote next month's debate between Alan Autry and Judge Wanger.

If you are interested in making reservations, check out the Fresno Bee for more information. Could be a very interesting show...

Did He Say Rent???

The following exchange took place between a clerk and customer in a video rental store:

Customer: “Where can I rent some condoms?”

Clerk: “… try the grocery store. We rent movies only.”

Customer: “But, don’t you guys… umm… cater to that kind of customer?”

Clerk: “Not my job to know, sir. Personally, I would never sell them here, let alone rent them.”

Customer: “That’s because you’re a stupid Catholic who’s not going to get laid until you are married! F*** YOU AND YOUR F***ING MORALS!”

Clerk: “I am going to have to ask you to leave, sir. Your behavior is unacceptable in this store.”

(The customer suddenly grabs the fliers on the counter for the upcoming movies, throws them everywhere and then sprints out.)

Another customer: “They don’t pay you enough, do they son?”

Clerk: “Nope…”

------------------------------

This one occurred in a coffee shop:

Clerk: Good morning, what can I get for you?

Customer: “Did you go to church today?”

Clerk: “No.”

Customer: “Why not?! It’s Sunday and you should be giving thanks to the Lord! I don’t like this… let me speak to your manager NOW.”

Clerk: “Ma’am, this isn’t a Christian establishment where we are required to go to church.”

Customer: “Get your manager!”

Manager: “Yes, ma’am?”

Customer: “Why don’t your employees go to church on Sunday?! This is an outrage.”

Manager: “Well, if we did there would be no one here to make your delicious coffee when you get out of church.”

Customer: “Well, I guess that’s okay. I’ll let Jesus know that you guys are helping me so that you don’t go to Hell.”

---------------------------------

To read more stories about idiots and the stupid things they say and do, check out Not Always Right.

9 More Weeks

After having a house on the market for 16 months, I am happy that it is finally now in escrow. If all goes as planned, it will close October 9. This was the big event I needed to have happen before my divorce could be finalized, for tax reasons. That will now happen, as requested in my court documents, on December 31, though it could have happened today, since the original documents were served 6 months ago.

I'm going crazy with next to nothing to do, so ended up applying for a part time law clerk position with a criminal law attorney. I have an interview this afternoon for that. It would be nice to have something to do for the next few months.

Has it really been 7 weeks since I finished taking the bar exam? I guess that makes next Friday the halfway point between taking it and finding out the results. I know the waiting is supposed to be the hardest part, but the boredom, not the waiting, is what is getting me. I need to find something to keep myself busier.

Hoodlums Everywhere Rejoice

A Florida judge has ruled that a ban on baggy pants is unconstitutional. What a wonderful way to celebrate Constitution Day. Next time I see someone's underwear because their pants are hanging too low, I am going to think, "Wow, now there is our constitution at work!"

A Win is a Win

I suppose I wouldn't have to post this picture if I beat my boyfriend at Scrabble more often, or at least when I did, it was by more than just a few points. I beat him the other day by 60 points, and even if you take into consideration that he beat me last night, the total of the scores from both games combined still put me ahead by 20 points. : )

I realize this post makes it seem as if I'm not doing much these days. Well, generally, that is true. Last week did seem rather busy though. My house is finally in escrow! I had some stuff I had to do in regards to that, and still have a few projects remaining at the house to do in the next 60 days. I also saw a former classmate and hung out with her for a few hours, and watched the Fresno State game with another group of classmates, and took my son to a gun show where he bought a few goodies.

Yesterday, we went to go see Burn After Reading. Definitely go see it- quite funny! Brad Pitt's character is as deliciously ditzy as you want to believe he is in real life. The entire cast is outstanding, so don't miss this one!

10 More Weeks

In case you missed last night's SNL,

Lucky Break for the Sausage Slapper

Seems he has been set free until the sheriff can gather more evidence. If only that dog could talk...

Money Recovered; Sausage Eaten by Dog

Some crimes defy explanation.

Update: This one even made the Smoking Gun!

Damn! There Are a Lot of Fat People!

I just got home from Sam's Club, where I did a little shopping after the MCLE class I attended this morning (more on that in a minute). I don't pretend to understand why so many fat people shop there, or its sister store WalMart, but damn! I swear, that place was filled with fat people who looked at me like I was a freak for being there with them. Believe me, I felt like one!

I don't get 2 things about fat people- first, why do they wear tight clothes that show everyone exactly how fat they are? You think everyone else wants to see how many rolls you have under that shirt? No. You don't want to look at them yourself, so why are you forcing other people to see them? Secondly, why do fat people not realize how much space they take up? Or maybe they do and their way of getting back at those of us who don't take up quite so much space is to place themselves and their carts perfectly in the middle of store aisles? Perhaps that is their way to force us to look at all those rolls? Ewww and ugh.

Anyway, I attended one of the MCLE classes this morning even though I don't get any credit for it. My strategy of arriving 20 minutes early paid off, because everyone else who was attending began at 8, but my class didn't start until 9, so I got to sit and talk to the judge alone for 15 minutes before the session started. :) Very nice! He had some good advice, and I think talking with him was actually more beneficial than the class itself.

11 More Weeks

Ok, actually it is 11 weeks from tomorrow until the bar exam results are posted online, but since I have such a busy life these days, I thought I better post today since I may not get around to it tomorrow. (Insert rolling eyes here.)

I do have a couple of things on my schedule in the next few days though. I'm going to attend one of the MCLE sessions at school on Saturday morning. The class I'm going to is being taught by one of the magistrate judges in federal court (whom I appeared before regularly and who looks like a young Christopher Reeve). I don't have to get in the hours until I pass the bar, but figured it would be interesting. I wouldn't mind a chance to talk to the judge either- I have always wanted to ask him about the 2 hour/$25 parking ticket trial I had in front on him!

My boyfriend and I are also going to see a play later in the weekend. I haven't been to this theatre for a while, and have always enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to that too. Of course, doing just about anything with the person you are in love with is fun. :)

Well, that about catches you up on my busy life...