It has become very clear to me that I lack the ability to stay on task. I really would love to update this with clever things. However, I just don’t. I know I have plenty to say. Anyway, I suppose I’m making a belated New Year’s resolution to post something of substance on here at least once per week. Any suggestions of how to not fall of the wagon?
So, I started juicing hardcore today. No, no performance enhancing drugs; just juice. There’s a bit of food involved but nothing exciting. You may be wondering why on earth anyone would do this. I am questioning my decision as well. I’ve been feeling out of sorts lately and thought this could help me pull it together. I may start posting again as I need something to distract me from food.
As for day one, it went surprisingly well. I really wasn’t hungry at all. In fact, after finishing my afternoon juice I had no desire for dinner. I’m hoping it stays like this for the long haul. I do however still have cravings. I’ve discovered there’s no fruit or vegetable substitute for chocolate. Now it’s time to start day 2. I hope I can survive.
But, I’ll try again anyway. Tomorrow I’m starting a fifteen day juice fast. Pray for me.
So, I quit writing here for what seems like forever. I think it’s time I start again. I have plenty to say but I seem to find other things to occupy me. Some things are great; other things, not so much. Anyway, I’m figure the best way to come back is try have a theme. Seeing as I gained an uncomfortable amount of weight over the past couple of months, I figure I could treat anyone who cares to read this to weekly updates on me working out and getting back in shape. I figure I’ll write about other stuff as well, but having a task will make me write. I haven’t really started doing much yet. I’ll let you know when I actually come up with a plan.
I thought I had won the war against law school when I got that fancy piece of paper. I was wrong. Prepping for the bar exam has got to be the most boring thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. I don’t think I realized how terrible this was until I graduated. I wasn’t focused on it. I was focused on making sure my name was on that graduation list and not falling on my ass when I got hooded. I managed not to wipe out thankfully. But now the weather is nice, my friends are going to the beach and to ball games and I am sitting in a windowless room in a basement in the Loop watching pre-recorded lectures. I can think of SO many better ways to spend my afternoons but alas, I cannot. I must be prepared, lest I fail. That would be really embarrassing. So, I study. I am even making flashcards. My final summer living as a non-adult is officially ruined by bar prep. Booo. Maybe I should’ve just gone to B school.
While I am still very confused about a career or what I want to do with myself, one thing has become abundantly clear after three years of law school. I hate studying; and not just a little bit. It pains me to do it. I will clean the dust from my ceiling fans before I study. I’ve been known to spend hours at the gym instead of studying. One of my favorite delay tactics is the all day film festival. For those of you preparing for finals, I’ve listed a few of my favorite themed film festivals. Netflix, cable television, and the internet have made it wonderfully easy for everyone to enjoy a day of fine movie watching.
A Day with Charlton Heston: We know it’s his God given right to carry a gun. He does it exceptionally well in so many roles.
Screwball Comedy Day: If you just want to laugh and don’t mind black and white, this is the way to go. Many of these films have modern versions that aren’t nearly as clever or fun to watch. Another plus is that most of these movies only run about 90 minutes so if you really want to get back to studying or whatever after one, it’s not that much of a time suck.
Ray Harryhausen, a Retrospective: If you love classical mythology or just love stop-motion animation, Harryhausen is your guy. He is most certainly a special effects pioneer who recreated dinosaurs and walking skeletons without CGI! His films require no description. Just watch and learn.
Well folks, if you want to take a break, this is as good as anything. If you have any film suggestions, please add them. I will post more film festivals as I formulate them. I never get tired of watching things.
While some may believe that Mel Gibson is a little bit anti Semitic or maybe kind of a drunk, most can agree that he has been in some kick ass movies. Now, I realize that What Women Want wasn’t too action packed. However, we cannot forget Braveheart, his brooding Hamlet, or the Lethal Weapon series. His best role of all time is Max from the Australian post- apocalyptic series. Today, while taking a “break” from studying, I decided to revisit the second film in the series, Road Warrior. Mel is pretty fabulous, and here’s why:
Now Max isn’t the only great thing in Road Warrior. There are incredible costumes (chaps, nuff said), a wonderfully terrific soundtrack, crossbow deaths, people on fire, car chases, and giant explosions. What more does one need to truly enjoy a Saturday evening in front of the television? I say nothing. So, if you haven’t already seen this cinematic masterpiece, I advise you stop outlining and watch Road Warrior this instant!
Graduation is quickly approaching. I’ve turned in all my papers and now all I have left are two finals. I should be elated. After three years of that special brand of torture that one can only experience in law school, I’m done. I survived. However, as I sat in my last law school class ever, I felt sad. All year, I made sure I only had class three days per week. I avoided coming to campus whenever I could. I was done! But now that I truly am done, I just don’t want to be. Finishing law school means I am finished with school. I am not prepared to be finished. I don’t want a real job. I don’t want to have to be a grown up. But I just cannot figure out how to drag out my education any longer. I am also unclear as to what I want to do with this very expensive piece of paper. I suppose I could work at a law firm like most of my classmates, but I found that working insane hours all of the time just isn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love the law and want to use the little knowledge I have to do something. I just cannot figure out what something is right for me. Anyone have ideas?
Sorry folks. I have law school to finish. I have a whole list of stuff to post about but in the interest of graduating on time, I haven’t been writing (at least not here). I promise to have SOMETHING Alia worthy by the end of the week. Kisses!
Well, my grandmother died last week. I thought I would take a moment to write my own mini biography of her. She lived in a small town in Indiana until, at 13, she joined the Harry Blackstone touring magic show. She worked as a magician’s assistant on the tour until she was sent home at the Canadian border. Apparently, the authorities didn’t like the idea of child leaving the country without a guardian. Oh well. She went home. This next stint in small town American lasted around two years. At 15, she made her way to Chicago; alone again. She lived on the street for several months until my grandfather found her. She worked as a hand and foot model for many years but also had many other very interesting jobs. These include but may not be limited to, dancer, stunt/body double, freelance writer, adjunct professor, antique dealer, fortune teller, and United States Marine. She lived in Chicago until the early 1970′s and then decided to move back to Indiana to a town of 2000 people. Everybody knows everybody there and everybody most certainly knew her. After the news got out that she died, I received several messages from my Indiana friends offering their condolences. Here are some of the things my friends had to say about her.
These words were usually followed by something like:
And then, I heard the same thing over and over again; she was the most exciting thing to talk about in town. She knew that and loved it. Sometimes she would tell me the latest stories going around town about her and laugh. Henry stories weren’t limited to Indiana. My friends who met her all had their own stories of their own. She loved being the center of attention and thrived on the fact that even in her old age, she still had it. There are 38 mirrors hanging on the walls in her house. This does not include all of the random hand mirrors that were lying on various dressers. She was a very beautiful woman and knew it. All of her idiosyncrasies made her one of the most unique individuals I will probably ever meet. One of my friends told me that he didn’t think that anyone would ever be able to overshadow the living legend that was my grandmother. I think he’s right.