Subaru

Parking is a problem at L&C. Even the “good” parking places are a 5-10 minute walk to the law school campus. And because I am too strong-willed to give in and park in the lower lot (which is a 15 minute walk up a huge hill) I spend a lot of time (an unreasonable amount of time really) driving around the parking lot waiting for someone to leave. Needless to say, I am very familiar with the L&C cars. The college mascot may be a Pioneer, but the college car is definitely the Subaru. I have never owned a Subaru, but I am certain the car actually comes with your choice of three bumper stickers:


I believe that in order to register a Subaru in Oregon, you have to have one of the mandatory three stickers and then commit to adding at least one more each year you own the car. I won’t mention what I think the other requirements might be. The six cars in the parking lot that are not Subarus also have bumper stickers and I don’t understand what they all mean. For example, I have seen a sticker that says “Alaska Girls Rock”. There must be some other meaning for this because I know no one made a sticker for all 9 girls in Alaska to put on their Subarus. Another one says “My other car is a Pynchon Novel”. I can’t even make up a meaning for this because I don’t have a clue what it could even allude to. Then there is this:



There must be some other meaning for this sticker besides “I’m a vegetarian Subaru-owner and I really like Oregon” It might be some secret club that I’m not a member of or a signal of some sort. I can tell by your Oregon license plate that you like this place enough to live here so there must be more to it than that. Since it is a green heart, it could very well mean that here in Oregon we are jealous. Possibly of the sunshine that other states often experience in what they call "summer". Or maybe they are all just jealous that other people don't have to drive Subarus. Sometimes I'm jealous of Washington because they have no state income tax. Maybe I should get a sticker too. Here is what my stickers would say:


I will admit the bumper stickers are somewhat effective. Usually by the time I find a parking spot I am convinced that Darwin really does love me, have vowed to never buy old growth timber, and am certain that the support from the Bowlers for Obama is what really led him to victory. Oh, and apparently we aren't supposed to buy "war toys." Scratch that off the Christmas list.

The BSU

Recall my previous post titled "WWAAA." I remember signing up for the CLS (Christian Legal Society) and the SBA (Student Bar Association), but I received this email the other day:

Welcome to BSU(Black Students Union) fall 2008,

Thank you for joining BSU this fall.

I am excited to invite you to the first meeting of the semester on Tuesday, Sep

23 at 7:30 pm. The meeting will take place in the BSU office (If you enter Templeton through the door near the book store and take left at the end of the corridor, you’ll see the BSU sign on your right-it’s across the ATM).

This year we have a number of exciting plans and we are also open to your suggestions and proposals.

Refreshments will be served.

See you on Tuesday,

Brook

Hmmm...I don't remember signing up for the BSU. Needless to say, I didn't attend the first meeting. But then I received this email:

Hi All!

September 23, 2008 Minutes

Planning

-Discussed connecting with other organizations such as a mentoring program -Office of Multicultural Affairs would like student input on Black History Month Speakers. More information is at the bottom of this email.

-Discussed helping to bring Daniel Beaty, a slam poet, to campus. We decided to try to watch his work online and then give our feedback. It was also mentioned that if anyone has feedback or suggestions for speakers that they would like to see on campus, please email bsu@lclark.edu

BSU in the Bon

-Discussed having a table in the bon before meetings, will be decided later

Next Meeting

-Meetings will be held on Tuesday at 6:30pm - magician performing next Tuesday night

Best,

The BSU

Initially, I was trying to think of ways to "unsubscribe" or withdraw my membership. I thought about letting them know that I don't meet the prerequisites for membership. Or I could write to them and say now that it's October, my tan has faded and I am not black after all. My mistake, sorry for the confusion, please remove me from your list. My other idea was to just show up at the meeting. That way, I wouldn't have to say anything. I'm sure they would figure it out. This seems like the best option at this point, because they might let me stay long enough to watch the magician.

Growing Up So Fast

This one's for you, Gena. The "first day of school" picture that only an "only child" can understand.

Mission: Impossible

Here are some bags I found. I thought about having everyone vote on which one I should buy. I'm leaning toward "Legalicious" myself.

Ok, I'm kidding. But they are better than the Ultimate Work Tote...

The Evolution

I was walking with my friend the other day (most of you know her as the 22 year old with the piercings)and she told a classmate of mine that she and I are friends because we both wear heels. I'm sure my classmate was thinking "how did these two girls get in to law school?" It made me think, however. So I asked my friend what she thinks we'll look like by the time we graduate. Will we eventually only own black and navy blue suits? Will we start to wear sensible pumps and eventually settle for comfortable flats? Am I going to someday think patent leather is too flashy? I'm scared. My friend and I promised each other we wouldn't let that happen. Today, however, I find myself wearing the clothing equivalent of a mullet. I typically get dressed for work in the morning and then grab a pair of jeans and maybe flip-flops to change into before I get to school (don't worry, I only occasionally change while I'm driving, and unless you're on I-5 south or Terwilliger Blvd. between 1:00pm and 2:30pm, you are perfectly safe). So I grabbed a pair of khaki pants and brown flip-flops this morning because it is hot outside. Yes, that means I'm wearing the shirt I wore to work with khakis and flip-flops. Business on the top, party on the bottom. I am a walking mullet. I must make a conscious effort not to allow myself to settle for courtroom comfort when it comes to clothes. From this moment forward I will not allow "sensible" or "practical" into my wardrobe vocabulary. I am trusting you, my friends and family, to keep me on the fashion-forward path of life. And to take the scissors to my textile mullet in the name of Nordstrom.com

WWAAA (What's With Attorneys And Acronyms)?

Maybe it is because they're just really busy people. Attorneys LOVE acronyms. I was walking through one of the buildings on campus and saw these double doors in the middle of the hall with big letters that said FACP. Hmmm..I wonder what the FACP is? Maybe I should join and I'll get to go beyond the double doors. Then I noticed the tiny sign next to the doors that said Fire Alarm Control Panel. I sure hope the firemen have been to law school. Everything has an acronym and I truly believe that there are only about 3 people anywhere who know what the acronyms stand for. The rest of us just act like we know. I was in the section of the library with study rooms the other day. I walked by one room that had a sign saying FAGG Study Room. I understand there are times when all the words won't fit on a sign. Really though, can't we get a little creative and figure something else out? This particular study room is only for groups of two or more students. Oddly enough, I've never seen two guys sitting in that room studying together. I've got to go work on my CRAC paper for LAWR class now. Maybe I'll see if the FAGG room is available...

I'll Check My Schedule...

So I survived the first week of school. It isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Actually, I kind of enjoyed it. That probably means I'm getting dorkier by the minute…and paying for it too. Everyday we get these emails to our school email accounts about the different events at the law school. Here are my options for the next few days:

SBA Lunch
This is a lunch for anyone interested in running for student bar association representative for their "pod". For example, if I were SBA rep for the green pod (why isn't there a pink pod?) I would plan a bunch of social activities for the evening students (with a budget, strike one. This isn’t the MBA program) and then hang out by myself because the evening students are all too busy to attend. The benefits to attending the lunch are that they provide free sandwiches and beer. Hmmm…offer free tacos and a mojito, and maybe we'll talk

Bike Commute Challenge
Do I really need to say anything? Do people know that we have had the automobile around for quite a few years now? Not to mention, Gena would likely never speak to me again if she were to see me on the road riding a bike. Let's pretend that's why I'm not a cyclist.

Open House, The Center for Animal Law Studies
Every bathroom stall on campus has this big green sign on the door advertising this event and the sign specifically mentions "yummy vegan treats" will be served. Now I know that there is no such thing as a yummy vegan treat. Yummy treats are made with lots of eggs and milk and stuff that is really bad for you. Stuff that vegans don't eat. I've decided not to support an organization that lies to me. They should just say "many of us are vegans so all we can serve are some cookies that are made without eggs. Sorry about this. We are just trying to be nice to the animals and do the whole 'I'm all about nature' thing. Come see our new space." I do like animals, my little dog is the cutest thing ever, but I'm fairly certain she wouldn't even eat a vegan treat.

SALDF (Student Animal Legal Defense Fund) First Meeting
I've only been in law school for a week, but I have absolutely no idea why we need to have a defense fund for animals. Sure, my dog isn't perfect (she's close though:)), but I know she doesn't break the law. And if she did, I don't think I'd be hiring defense counsel for her. Who are these criminal animals? I don't think a horse is entitled to due process. How do you defend an animal anyway? You see, Your Honor, my client,Fluffy, was actually trying to save the little birdy that fell from the tree, when, in due course she inadvertently sunk her teeth into the little bird's neck. It is apparent from the fact that she left bird on her owner's doorstep, that she was not trying to cover up the crime, but was reaching out for help. I'd rather ride my bike to school.

Latino Law Society First General Meeting
This sounds fun. I'm not sure I am qualified to attend, even though I have a lovely, long, Hispanic last name. Too bad. I bet they serve tacos and mojitos...