Speak Up

I don't know if anyone ever told you this. I know no one told me this.

Law school is hard.

Ok, people did tell me that, but I didn't think any of them meant it. I literally come home, maybe take a nap, and then stay up till 1-2am doing homework.

And then I go to class and sit there terrified that I will get called - on which has not yet happened. Law professors seem to ascribe to the belief that people with names at the front of the alphabet and people with names at the end of the alphabet expect to be called on and so they do not call those people. Poor people with M last names. Our professors have come down especially hard on them these past few days.

On the upside, Criminal Law was entertaining again today. Our professor walked us through a bunch of cases to help us understand what a court has to prove to prove murder. Some of my favorite parts:

"The victim in this case was named Glenn Christiernsson. Let's have a moment of silence for the victim." *Class sits quietly, many still frantically reading over the case and hoping they are not called on* "Now, does anyone know anyone with the last name Christiernsson? Anyone? No? Well, I've been teaching this class for 30 years and I've never met anyone who even KNEW someone with the last name Christiernsson. And that makes me think that this was the last of the Christiernssons! Bad murderer, BAD!"

or

"Poor Baby Warmke. It did nothing wrong. It was just a bastard in the 40's. And then Mama Warmke threw, or dropped as she claimed, Baby Warmke into the creek. And this was a wide creek since she was throwing the baby from a train trestle across the creek. And I happen to know that creeks in Kentucky in the 40's contained piranhas. And poor Baby Warmke. Never stood a chance." *Professor then makes large chopping motions with his arms and makes "eating" sounds.*

and finally,

"I know there is a rumor going around that I am an easy grader. I want you to know that this is not true. I have taught here since 1970 and I have failed people. I have done it and will not hesitate to do it again. I've failed 5 people, you could be that sixth!"

Tomorrow my family departs for Iowa for my cousin's wedding. It should be quite the trip. I am planning on taking both of my laptops (so lil bro can use one) and hopefully the hotel will have wireless!