frisson’s blog

Wow, it's really been a LONG time since I blogged! I'm pretty sure all my group friends have forgotten about it...(makes note to resend a link!)

same ol' same ol'.  Law school is still kicking my butt.  Still waiting for that moment of clarity, when all becomes crystal clear.  In the meantime I'm still struggling down here in the mud.

In other news...Cindy's getting married! (one of the group bloggers).  And so's my old roommate! Wow the fall will be wedding season :D So happy for them!

I've been reading all of JD Robb's books.  Well, really rereading them, since I read them all when they come out.  But over winter break til now, I've been requesting and going thru the books, almost in order.  It's really cool to see how Eve grows as a person and as a character, how her relationships grow (w/ /Roarke, Peabody, Feeney, etc etc), and so on.  The latest book brings out a background character, and someone who was always there died :( (I'm not spoiling too much, as "who" is in the Amazon description).  I don't like Promises as much as some of the others, although I'm not sure if I have a favorite (maybe Origin? w/ the moral issues about cloning etc), but it's pretty good.  JD Robb at her worst is still light years ahead of many other fiction writers.  (And by no means is Promises her worst!)  If you've never read one, check it out.  They're all "SOMETHING In Death," and they're written by Nora Roberts, but very different from her Nora Roberts books.  (And how does she maintain the quality she does while writing sooo many books a year? I swear, she's the most prolific and still good (generally speaking) writer I know of!)
All about a homicide cop, set in the near future.  It's probably like CSI/ Law and Order, except I've never watched those shows so I can't be sure.  Futuristic police procedurals, w/ a dash of romance and social issues.  GREAT books, try them if you've never read them! 

Things I've noticed about the books:
Covers:
the switches btwn the prominence of "Nora Roberts" and "J.D. Robb."  In the beginning, all the books were just written by "JD Robb," with nothing to indicate that she was Nora Roberts (unless you looked at the copyright page).  And the covers were of weird green dead people, with a relevant quote from the book.  I still have some old books w/ those covers, and I have a strange affection for them.
 
Then the cover picture became cop/ crime/ NYC related, and took up the whole front cover.  Still JD Robb only.

Then the covers moved to "Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb," with her picture on the back.  (Looking tough in a leather coat...)    The picture on the cover became a small strip on the bottom, with author's names taking up most of the cover.

Recently, they've gone back to just "J.D. Robb," w/ no author picture.  The little author bio now only says that JD Robb is the pseudonym of a NYT bestselling author.  I wonder what happened?  Maybe they wanted to refocus on it being a separate "brand" from the rest of Nora's books?

Other things:
A cop named Carmichael keeps popping up throughout the series, as a bit player.  Thing is, I'm not sure that it's the same cop every time.  I think the first time it was a he, and a uniform (who resented Peabody, who'd newly been attached as Eve's aide).  Later, I think it was a detective under Eve (in her squad), and a she.  Carmichael's not a major character at all, but I wonder.  Maybe it's the name of someone impt in Nora Roberts' life?

Baxter: When will he and Troy get their "own" book? Nadine's had one, Mira, Mavis, even McNab (Purity)...and now Morris.  I want one where Baxter and Trueheart star! :D

Mira: Was she abused by her dad/ stepdad?  In one book yes, in another she had a lovely childhood w/ both parents.  I actually looked this up, and apparently it's a continuity error.  Nora explained it away in a later book by saying that her parents had been divorced for a short period of time before getting back together, and during that time, Mira was abused by her stepfather.  Anyways, this makes me somewhat happy that even a good author can make mistakes!

two final thoughts:
I love this pic, and it makes me sad at the same time:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/3360853557/
(seen @ Consumerist)
It's Edith Macefield's house in Ballard, Seattle Washington.  She refused $1M to sell her house, so they built around her.  Sadly, she died this year.  When I'm in Seattle later on this year, I'm going to try to check it out, if it's still there.  Just as a symbol of sticking to your guns, and of the march of progress.

Also: I just went to an Alvin Ailey performance again (I went every year when I was at Cal but it's been a while).  AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING, Definitely go if you've never been! As always, I was blown away by Revelations.  Here's a clip on Youtube of one of my favorite dances, "I Wanna Be Ready":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svKnpXz5mRg
The night I was there, it was performed by Guillermo Asca, who also gave the pre-performance talk.  (I liked Guillermo's version better than the youtube one).  Apparently Guillermo got started dancing 2 months before graduating from high school! His girlfriend was in his school's performance of West Side Story, and they needed more guys, so Guillermo became a Shark.  After that, w/ no prior dance experience, his teacher told him he should audition for Alvin Ailey.  And he did, and got a scholarship spot, and he's been w/ the Company ever since (for fifteen years and counting!)  I find this story amazing on many levels.  He found his passion in high school, he wasn't a dancer from childhood like most, and he's been dancing professionally for fifteen years.  And that Alvin Ailey reaches out to the New York community & kids in that way.  I love that they have a school, and classes etc - If I ever live in NYC (unlikely), I'm definitely going to take classes!

Wow, that was much longer than I expected I'd blog.  Ta!

 

Is it really fall already? Wow...
time to go back to school.  It's only third week, and law school is kicking my butt.  I am so behind in reading, it's not even funny.  Not to mention the other stresses that have to be taken care of...

This is my current desktop wallpaper.  I took the picture at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.  Whenever I get too stressed, I look at the pic and wish myself into the mind of the male lion.  Sleep in the sun all day, play with my cubs, get food from the zookeepers.  Then I remember that they're in a zoo, no matter how nice it is.  And I realize that law school really is better :D  Still, the picture gives me peace, at least for a little while.  (And does it count if the lions don't realize they're in a zoo? Food for thought...)

Let's talk politics for a bit.  I'm an Obama supporter, but even if I wasn't, I'd still think that the Republicans shot themselves in the foot by choosing Sarah Palin.  Now the Repubs can't attack Obama for lack of experience, when his experience in the state legislature and in the Senate, on a national level, obviously trump Palin's experience as mayor of a tiny town the size of a high school, and as the 2 year governor of our least populous state.  She was obviously chosen for her gender and looks, and to pander to the religious right.  Although I'm definitely a feminist, this kind of reverse affirmative action - choosing someone who's not qualified merely for her gender - is not the way to go.  Given McCain's age and health, this VP choice is more important than it might be otherwise, as there is a real chance Palin will become President if McCain is elected. 

Palin's policies are also out-of-wack with a lot of the American people.  I mean, no abortion even in cases of incest and rape? And the haste and lack of a true vetting process casts doubt on McCain's judgment skills.  I find it hard to believe that McCain would have thought Palin's scandals would not come out, or that they would not affect her credibility.  It's not that her daughter is pregnant at 17, or that Palin has a Down's child.  It's that Palin would not let Americans faced with the same situations to choose what to do, whether that be keeping the child, abortion, or adoption.  Palin made a choice, and the results of that choice truly should be off limits, as Obama says.  But the fact that Palin had a choice at all, and the fact that she would deny that choice to others - That fact, that situation, is NOT off limits, and should indeed be explored and known by the American public.  I hope that reporters will be able to draw that fine line.  Don't exploit Bristol, but be sure to point out that if Palin gets her way, no other Bristols will have a true choice.

(deep breath...and now I leave you with lions...)

I just love, LOVE this song. It's so smooth and sexay! and I love both Robin and Ashanti.  Check it out:

It's my birthday! And, I went to court for the first time (this is a good thing, for me) and I got to see some eviction defense cases.  Relatively simple ones, but it was great to see some law in action! and my boss is AWESOME :D

I haven't really done anything to celebrate though...I don't know why, but this year is more...ehhh.  Maybe this weekend.

this was my first week of work, it is very tiring.  Sometimes I get scared about how much I don't know.  But that's why I'm here, to learn.  I just got my grades back though, and they're not great (except for 1 class).  I really really hope fall of 2L is better.  I will need to work harder!

updated the theme, hope y'all like :D

and I got a couple grades back...not doing so well :(  Trying not to give up...

Just a quick note to show that I am still alive!
(DeViL, are you going to post your pics soon? You should!)

Anyways...Here's a site I go to often, Daily Coyote:
http://dailycoyote.blogspot.com/

The blog author also traveled cross-country on a Vespa:
http://vespa-vagabond.blogspot.com/

The Daily Coyote pics & story are beautiful!

I am very happy that gay marriage has been legalized in CA.  (I'm socially liberal, economically practical/ moderate).  Here's an interesting article about the process the Chief Justice of CA, Ronald George, had to go thru in writing the historic ruling:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gay18-2008may18,0,4272300.story?page=1

A quote:

'"I think," he concluded, "there are times when doing the right thing means not playing it safe."'

As for moi...trying out for stuff...then work in early June.

But...anyone up for another road trip? Thinking about it...

very excited...I'll be working for Legal Aid, doing housing (landlord-tenant law) & eviction defense and legislation.  Yay!!!

One big plus - I can stop stressing about getting a job.  I still have to do the financial aid/ grant applications, but I have the job itself, so I can stop sending out resumes, interviewing, STRESSING! so happy!

And the job sounds really interesting too, especially with the subprime meltdown right now :(

More blogging later...

Oh, my SPRING BREAK is next week!  But, sadistically, our paper is also due the Monday afterwards... :(

-- the Reader

Current Song Obsession:
Christina Milian, "So Deep So Fast" (love the "oohs"! and I'm a big fan of Christina's, so...)

It's been a while since I blogged.  As always, crazy busy.  I did get to go paintballing for the first time last weekend, which was fun! :D  (A pic to come later, perhaps...)  I am still bruised from it, although it was not as bad as I expected.  It was a good experience, although I'm not sure I'd go again for a while.  At least 70% of the people there were guys, many "hardcore" in that they had uniforms, equipment, etc.  Expensive hobby to have!  And the number of people who are apparently willing to be at a remote location at 8:30 am on a Saturday is astounding :D

This morning, I almost hit a rabbit driving to school, while a few blocks from my house.  (Cindy, aren't you proud that I didn't?)  I screeeeeched to a halt just in time.  It then leisurely hopped back to the side of the road, where it apparently had come from.  And an old man was there, watching it/me.  No clue if this guy was an owner (if so, negligent owner!) or merely an innocent bystander.  The rabbit was spotted, like this one:

On that note, I started my day.

I also skimmed a strangely fascinating book this past weekend, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. 

It's a very interesting read, one that I highly recommend.  The topic matter may seem not for the weak of stomach, but she doesn't have pictures, and you learn a lot about what can happen to your body when you die.  She talks about crash test bodies, the history of body-snatching, dissection bodies, and more.  As she says, cadavers are true superheroes - they can help the living, and don't feel any pain.  Ms. Roach is also a very amusing writer, not laugh-out-loud funny (which would be inappropriate
 to the subject matter) but with a distinct sense of humor, especially evident in her footnotes.

I was kinda ambiguous before, but now I think I will definitely donate my organs and/or my body for scientific research.  (Even if I end up being blown up for test bombs...)  If you can save people's lives thru organ donation, why not? Every year thousands die while waiting.  (My mom may need an organ transplant one of these days too...) 
READ the BOOK if you can, it's an easy read, and very very interesting.

Now let's get back to life...Here's a tres cute gallery of dogs at the Westminster Dog Show...as the Jezebelles say, nom nom nom!!!
Photo Gallery

Finally...I wanted to wish EVERYONE a very very happy (Chinese) New Year!!!  Gung Hsi Fa Chai!!! Happy Year of the Rat!!!
(and no, my resolutions from Jan 1 haven't been going too well yet...eh, I got time!)

happy 2008

To the Reader: I share some of yours. :)

My New Year's Resolutions:

- Spend time more productively and wisely
- Get into the habit of being a more active listener and effective communicator
- Overcome my insecurities
- Be a better daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, etc.
- Read more books or do more readings in general
- Maintain a blog ;)
- Write more
- Study harder
- Sign up to take standardized tests and do well on them (have your fingers crossed for me)
- Throw away unneccessary things (I tended to accumulate stuffs in the past and now I have a clutter of stuffs)
- Learn meditation and regain my optimistic views
- Stop worrying over petty things
- Excercise more and eat healthier food
- Learn how to cook, decent food at least
- Tell others how wonderful they are before the chance is gone
- Stay committed to my resolutions.

A lot of these will take big time effort. Everything has to have a beginning. Let 2008 be the start. Cheers. :)

Yesterday I had a huge brain fart and left my purse next to my chair in the library.  For 1 1/2 hours.  While I was in class in a completely different building.  I didn't realize till after that class, when I was trying to buy something in the bookstore. Panicking, I ran to all the places I had been, and I was SOOO HAPPY when I found it! Right where I left it, waiting for me, in the library.  Thank goodness!!!

this has restored my faith in my fellow students...no one took it, no one rifled thru it, anything.  While people (including me) leave purses and laptops in the library all the time, I've never left it longer than than going to the restroom, and I assume most are the same way.  This was different, I was gone for a really long time.

This would never have happened in Berkeley.  I would have come back to a disturbed purse, if it was there at all.

(BTW, I've never forgotten my purse before...so no, this is not a common occurrence).