Big News on the Way

As I approach the end of my legal education, I am working on shaking things up big time. Stay posted for an update in the near future, as soon as I have more details.

You stay classy, Miami

E

Fourth of July Recap

In this space I will be posting some pictures and stories from the 7/4 weekend. But for now, I am playing "catch up" with some work. Check back soon for the updates!

You stay classy,

E

Who Would Win?

As I was washing my hands in the restroom this evening, just before watching "Get Smart," I overheard a couple guys debating the greatest philosophical question we face today -- Who would win in a fight, Homer Simpson for Peter Griffen?

Really makes you wonder...

You stay classy,

E

"Let it [flow], let it [flow], let it [flow]!"

Well, it looks like the Bush administration has been working on a short term solution to the oil dilemma afterall. After years of fighting in Iraq, in what the liberals had called a war for oil (before citing personal vendettas Bush had against Saddam), it looks like we may finally see some of that oil. 5 major U.S. oil companies apparently have negotiated behind the scenes with the Iraqi government. Hopefully an influx of new sources of oil will result in an alleviation of the gas prices a bit. Psychologically it should make people feel better, and that's where most of the damage has been done.

You stay classy,

E

Updates, Part Deux (that's Part 2 for you non-Frenchies)

So I recently came to the realization that I only have a few weeks left here in Spartanburg. What initially was proposed to be a long, boring summer, in which I would immerse myself in work to escape the mundane small-city life, has turned out to be a great experience that has zipped right by (sorry to end a sentence in a preposition, but I'm too lazy to re-write it). Although I admittedly have not been out and about, taking advantage of the nightlife that I have discovered along the way, I have made a number of wonderful contacts, and have been incredibly productive this summer. I have placed a few new pegs in my places-to-visit map, driving throughout the South and discovering a few famous places along the way (see my previous post on the Beacon, for example).

Yesterday, we had a going-away reception for one of the attorneys. It was held at an unbecoming, local wine store, a true gem that I had not even noticed as I passed it to and from work each day. They have an excellent selection of wines from around the world, and at great prices, too. I returned this evening after work for a wine tasting, where a packed house sampled a spectrum of Spanish wines. I snagged a few bottles on my way out (pinot noir, petite syrah, and a French burgundy table wine). I started on the pinot noir, the safest of the three -- Mark West, from California. This was actually one of the most popular wines at my old restaurant gig, as a server at the Ft. Lauderdale Pan-Asian restaurant, Wild East.

Also, I have put it off long enough, but I'm getting back in the gym. Freshly motivated to regain my pre-law school bulk (when I was working out 5-6 times a week). I've always been cyclical with working out. Between my Sophomore and Junior years, I worked out like an animal. Then, during my junior year I got a girlfriend, and all that training dwindled. After I got out of college, I immediately started working a full-time job. The commute was a solid hour and change, so I often lacked the energy to keep up a routine. After some time, I discovered a Bally's nearby, then the firm packed up and moved from its Coral Gables location to downtown Miami, with no Bally's nearby (the ensuing battle to cancel my membership is a story for another day). After some time off from the weights, while working on law school applications and working a couple of part-time jobs, I joined up at the nearby Shula Athletic Club. Much like the post-Sophomore year summer, I bulked up. Then a minor time commitment called "law school" came around, and the gym has been on the backburner ever since. So, it's about time that I got back on that horse. I have SOME free time now, and as a 3L, I should be able to manage my time and keep it going hardcore for the year (at least until the bar exam and a 100-hour-per-week firm job).

Then again, I'm looking at the Fall courses, and I want to take 8 or 9 classes. Yeah, probably not gonna happen. As it is, I'm signed up for 7 of them. And I'm thinking of dropping arguably the easiest one (Employment Practices) for a personal interest, "fun" course in Securities Regulation (well, it IS what I want to practice, in part). I have to figure out what I'm doing this upcoming semester, class-wise. But all that can wait until August 21, when classes start up. I have several job fairs to attend, and a loooong list of prospective employers to whom I plan to send resumes. Gonna be a busy month.

Finally, for those of you in South Florida, let me know if you'll be around for the 4th of July weekend. I'm planning to head down the day before and to stay through the weekend. And Marta's school seems to hate its student body -- it scheduled all summer term law exams for July 5-7. Seriously? You're gonna schedule exams for the 3 days after July 4th? That's un-American. What the hell is that? In any case, my girlfriend will have her nose in a Real Estate Transactions textbook for 2/3 of my trip down to Miami. So, if any of my buddies wanna hang out, drop me a line.

Until then...

You stay classy,

E

Personal Updates

Just wanted to give you an update on a few things. Yesterday, June 23, marked exactly 1 month remaining for my summer position. Time really has flown by! Also yesterday, the dogs got haircuts. See below for the Guapo "before," the Lola "before" and the combined "after" shot.








Clearly, a lot of fur has been removed. I opted to go for the short cuts, rather than the traditional schnauzer cut, since we're getting into the hottest time of the year and all. I figured they'd be more comfortable with shorter coats.

Oh, and I snapped the photos with my new camera:



Gotta love new toys, right?

You stay classy,

E

Is Drudge Screwing with the Liberals?

Throughout this primary season, I have been surprised to see so much Obama coverage on the Drudge Report. As a strong conservative and regular viewer of the site, it honestly was starting to bother me. Apparently I wasn't the only one to notice, as one article went so far as to suggest that he liked Obama. See this article from the Politico, for example. I cringe at the thought. But I also find it interesting that soon after the Dem primary was wrapped up, Obama coverage was bumped. In fact, just a few hours ago Al Gore endorsed Obama -- seemingly a big news story for those interested in the campaign and supporting Obama. Yet, you have to scroll down to the bottom of the articles to see it. Btw, he usually highlights in red the big, breaking news articles.

Instead, the top of the webpage has links to the recent flooding in Iowa, a positive story about Bush visiting Europe, recent news from the Supreme Court, and news about the Saudis agreeing to pump out more oil.

So, could it be that Drudge was in the plan that Rush Limbaugh famously dubbed, "Operation Chaos"? Rush -- if you recall from the Texas primary / caucus -- was promoting votes for Hillary Clinton once it appeared Obama had locked up the nomination. Perhaps Drudge was the yang to Rush' yin?

Or, maybe Drudge is so convinced that Obama is the weaker candidate (as many Republican genuinely believe), and he wanted to help set up a general election matchup against him.

If so, it was genius, and it got plenty of media attention. Maybe it even caused some Republicans to crossover and vote for him in some of the open primaries.

Whatever the case may have been, now that we are in the general election, I encourage everyone out there to put in your vote for McCain. It is scary to think of all the wrong changes Obama would try to make to this country, were he elected President. We can't let that happen.

You stay classy,

E