Bar Review Day 5

Everything is going pretty well as far as studying goes. I am just slightly behind with what I am required to accomplish at this moment, but I think I can make it up today.

My day consists of the following: First, I read 30 - 60 pages of in depth material meant to refresh my memory on a subject. Then I listen to a three hour lecture on the subject, taking notes and filling in a workbook that BarBri has provided. After lecture, I turn these materials in a condensed outline for studying purposes. After I finish the outline, I do a few practice tests on the subject. Then I'm done for the day!

Its been pretty grueling so far, but my spirits are as high as the stakes. Let's hope they stay that way.

The OMG Moment

I finally had that OMG moment where I realized how much work it is going to be to study for the bar. Barbri expects 8 - 10 hours a day, 7 days a week, right up to the bar.

After the moment passed, I am sort of bracing myself. They are the experts, and I am confident that I can do it if I put my mind to it.

The logistics of today were more of problem. The bus is an hour each way. The lectures are online, so why am I going? Tomorrow I am trying out staying home. There is no one home during the day at my folk's house, so i figure its as good of as office as any.

On a lighter note, does anyone remember property law? I love how quirky it is. Its the hilarious old uncle of law subjects.

Below: Lewis and Clark through the forest. I saw robins eggs, a rabbit, and a giant banana slug today.

Back in the Northwest

What a week! I had a great road trip with my lovely girlfriend and from Socal to the Great Northwest. And it truly is great.

Tomorrow is my first day studying for the Washington State Bar Exam. I am taking a Bar prep course with BarBri of Washington, even though my actual classes are at Lewis and Clark College in Portland.

My dad and I took a trip there to see the lay of the land, and to see whether I would be able to take the somewhat elaborate bus ride from Vancouver, Washington.

So the plan is, I will essentially ride to and from the Vancouver park and ride with my dad every weekday. We will ride the bus together to his work in downtown Portland. From there I catch another bus, and walk about half mile through a path in the woods to the law school. Sounds like a little much. I will let you know how it was tomorrow. If it is indeed too much, I see a car in my future.

Ultimate Man Cave

Now that I am moving, I keep dreaming about have a really awesome recreation room or man cave. Of course, women would be welcome and enjoy it too-- who wouldn't enjoy this stuff? This is a brief indulgence in materialism, and the things listed are considered as if money is no object.

1. Heavy Metal Meltdown Pinball Machine (video here and here)
2. Shuffle Board Table
3. Beer Pong Table
4. Ms. Pacman Cocktail Table
5. 55 Inch HD TV
6. Best Couch Ever from Restoration Hardware
7. Kegerator
8. Coolest Furnace Ever

So come on over any time! Well, any time in the not so near future...

Mise En Place: Preparing with Books and Classes

I would love to own my own business. The safe and boring cocoon that is law school only encouraged me to day dream of ideas for start ups and solo firms as is planning my escape.

To prepare for my Steve-McQueen-esque lurch to the real world, I took as many business law classes (and entertainment with business applications) as my schedule would allow and I read books about solo firms and business (basically as much reading outside of law school as the reading inside law school would allow). Let's take a look:

Classes:

• Business Associations
• Federal Income Taxation
• Business Planning
• Taxation of Business Entities
• Music Industry Contracts
• Copyright Law
• Defamation, Privacy and Publicity
• Entertainment Law
• Adv. Entertainment law
• Aviation Law (Final on Start-Up Airline)

Books

• The E-Myth Attorney
• The E-Myth Revisited
• Rework
• The Reluctant Rainmaker
  
• Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
• The Four-Hour Work Week
• All You Need to Know About the Music Business
• Solo by Choice
• The Monk and the Riddle

Social Entrepreneurship and Business Model Flexibility

I really love this new post about Social Entrepreneurship by Inc. Magazine -- It's really got my imagination working on overdrive. Social entrepreneurship marries the thrill of starting your own business with the gratification of doing something worthwhile for the betterment of the world.

I wonder, however, if seemingly bloated and bulky requirements of 501(c)(3) can commiserate with the agility, flexibility and ability to improvise I see as necessary for a successful business model.

Keep It Simple, Stupid. It worked for building airplanes, and it works for business.

Write Less & Improve Your Grades

I just finished my last law school class. Ever. Wow.

Anyway, that means that finals time is here. The following is a short check list of tricks I have picked up over my law school career (nearing its end, btw) that can help you with those law school (or college, etc.) writing assignments.

1. Be a Minimalist.

When you are given a reading assignment, which do you prefer: 20 pages, or 10? 10 pages or 5? I know your answer: the shorter the better. How much more likely are you to read something if it is short? You are probably much more likely to read a short article.(See http://www.useit.com/ for a discussion on the cost/benefit ratio of long and short articles)

Professors are people too. And like the rest of us, they get bored. For this reason, it is advantageous to write as little as possible while still getting you complete message across. If you can say something in 5 pages, why do it in 7? My general rule: if there is a page maximum, aim for around 70% of it. If there is a minimum, hit it on the nose.

2. Put Your Best Arguments in the Beginning.

If professors DO get tired of your writing and decide they can make a grade determination before finishing your whole work (which is lazy, I know, but I'm sure it happens even if no one admits it) wouldn't you want your A material in the beginning?

3. Use Big Font.

Kids books aren't written in big font because their eyesight is bad. Big font simply makes comprehension of the text easier. Also, large print is easier for people with diminished eyesight. So increase comprehension and decrease frustration by keeping your font around 12.5 or 13. Same can be said for double spacing over single spacing. Some people go as far as bolding or italicized key arguments and phrases, but this is only for the truly punk-rock rebel.

4. What Font to Use?

I am no typographer, and so I am not sure about this. I am considering writing one of my finals, which is in the form of a client letter, in Georgia. This could through the Professor off, however, and so the question is: How dangerously should I choose to live?

Song Lyrics Don't Reflect The Personality Of A Generation

So, a psychology professor, Dr. Nathan DeWall at the University of Kentucky, analyzed hit songs between 1980 and 2007 and found a correlation between egotistical song lyrics and increasing narcissism in society. (see http://www.npr.org/2011/04/26/135745227/study-narcissism-on-rise-in-pop-lyrics)

I don't buy it. Statistics alone can't derive the meaning of song lyrics. This study ignores the nuances of song writing like metaphor, sarcasm and irony. (Although I will admit that pop music isn't known for subtlety. See e.g., Rebecca Black - Friday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0) For example, the Prof. Nathan DeWall cites Weezer's song, "The Greatest Man in the World" (see e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYrz-M2Zc8E) as one such narcissistic song. Sure, without even hearing it, it sounds narcissistic; and that would be the case if Rivers Cuomo wasn't being sarcastic.

To analogize, this study is like a regular computer playing jeopardy compared to the IBM supercomputer, Watson, playing Jeopardy. It might give us some interesting results, but they are not going to be correct.

If anything, I think the increased frequency of narcissistic lyrics is a reflection of the music industry itself, rather than of the personality traits pop musics listeners. The record companies today are hit machines (see http://www.thejazzlawyer.com/2011/02/25/you-want-a-fucking-record-deal/) and don't particularly care what ridiculous garbage is on the radio so long as it makes money. This is especially true since record companies don't make money selling records anymore. Today, record companies sell image not music. (see 360 deal, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/arts/music/11leed.html)

So maybe superficiality rather than narcissism is the real culprit here. But hey, that's pop music for ya.

Booth in Picture of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address?

Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865. With victory for the north only weeks away, a specter of his death was even closer: supposedly John Wilkes Booth is in the picture too. Booth murdered Lincoln a little over a month later, April 15, 1865.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, its only about three weeks until spring break. But I have and Evidence midterm and 25 page rough draft standing in the way! I know I can do it though, just have to keep my nose to the grindstone.

Halfway / Halflife

Well, I am almost half way done with this semester (not inlcuding reading week and two weeks of finals). I am doing a lot of writing for my two seminar classes, Adv. Legal Writing and Adv. Entertainment Law. I have my first major assingments due for both in two weeks, including a 20 - 30 page article for entertainment.

I am writing about the musician Tom Waits and his suits involving the right or Publicity. The right of publicity is a property right that protects an individual from unwanted use of her likeness, voice, name, identity and more depending on the jurisdiction and relevant state statute. Tom Waits doesn't do commercials, but lots of companies want his music to promote their product. So, Tom Waits sues them when they use his voice or an impersonator of his voice in a commercial. My argument is that he should not be able to do this, because he is not the only artist to sing with a gravelly voice. Wait's voice is a sound-a-like to many artists voices, including Howling Wolf, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, and Capt. Beefheart. Pop culture has a short memory, however. Tom Waits is the modern equivalent of an amalgamation of these artists, and so his voice is "unique". More on this as it develops.

Otherwise, I am doing well and just trying to keep up. The 1Ls are a constant reminder that I have it a lot better than I did; the feeling is like a glass of water in the desert.

New Place, New Year

I am finally all moved on to the new place and it is great! I hung out at the pool all day yesterday. My room is pizza shaped which makes for a layout challenge. We finally got our hot water turned on and I am excited for my first hot shower in 5 days!

School starts Wednesday. I am taking business associations, constitutional law, music industry contracts, advanced entertainment law and hopefully advanced legal writing, if I get in (I am still on the waitlist). I am excited to get to school and meet all the new 1ls!

Summer Vactation Sea Change

Finals are finally done! It was nice to only have two this semester. I think I did pretty well so that is exciting.

Finals over, its time for vacation and a few changes. On Tuesday, I am flying to Seattle. I'll be there until Saturday, then I am heading to Vancouver until Thursday. From there I will fly to Lollapalooza in Chicago! My friend Adam is going too. We are outdoor concert veterans: we have been to 5 or 6 together. Gonna be great.

That's it for the vacation. Now on to the change. I am moving to a really nice apartment complex on Sunset & Vine. It will be a two bedroom/two bath, at about the same price I am paying now. The complex has a pool and a gym and it is in a much nicer and hipper neighborhood: Hollywood!

Books on the Shelf

Only a few days until my vacation. One thing Mom always made sure I had on a summer vacation was a big stack of books, and I have pretty much continued the habit of doing my heaviest reading during the summer. Here are my planned books:

1. Neuromancer by William Gibson
   
2. All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman
   
3. The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
   
4. Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook by Bob Baker

That should pretty much do it, because I only have month off. Reviews of these to come!

SLO but Steady Wins the Race...

I was in San Luis Obispo (SLO) this weekend for my DJing gig at Rachel's wedding. It went pretty well. I think people had a good time and my music selection (along with the bride's) made for a fun atmosphere. I was also responsible for keeping the wedding running on time and for MCing. The former was more difficult than the latter, but we didn't get too far off schedule.

My law school finals are in one week from today, so I am hunkering down and trying to get my study on. Unfortunately, finals coincide with what seems to be the nicest weather of the year to date, making it all the more diffcult to spend my days inside. I only have one more week, and with only two classes to study for, amounting to 1/3 of my ususal course load, this week should not be too harsh on my already summer oriented mind.

Wish me luck!

Summer Dreams Ripped At The Seams, But Oh, Those Summer Nights...

I just made a blog post last week about the state of summer classes at Southwestern Law School, but I am realizing to day that summer session is beginning to wind down! My finals in Defamation and Entertainment Law are on Monday, July 20th and Tuesday, July 21st, respectively. That means that as of the time of this post, I have about two weeks left of summer session! It is so short compared to a full semester. Then I will have about a month off before fall begins again.

So here are some things that are going on this week:

The public affairs office has me stuffing envelopes (a lot) and one of my organizations, Public Interest Law Committee, also needs envelope stuffing. Public Interest is sending out letters requesting donations and support for public interest law week in the fall. I realized stuffing letter after letter that the next logical step was having to lick all the adhesive strips on something like 2000 letters. Remembering George Costanza's late fiance, I asked a coworker if we had to lick all the envelopes, and thankfully she said no. Apparently a machine can do that. Good thing I am not an UNPAID intern, or I would probably be that machine. I imagine some Rube-Goldbergian contraption with a bunch of tongues.

I am DJing my friend Rachel's wedding this weekend. I am looking forward to busting out some of the skills I used on Rainy Dawg Radio back at the University of Washington. It should be a good time. I am making a few different playlists to pull from depending on crowd reactions (if any). If you need a DJ and are on a budget, call me. Will spin for food.

How to Use Twitter and Not Waste Your Time Pt. II

1. Use the "search" to find people seeking services you or your business provides. If you provide catering or dj services, for example, search wedding, party, event, etc. If you are a lawyer, brainstorm some keywords relating to your practice area and do a similar search. Then use @_____ to reply to posts you find.

2. When people tweet, listen. If you picked the right people to follow, you should be able to click on any link posted to your twitter homepage by those you follow and find something that interests you. If someone you followed consistently leads you astray, feel free to not follow them anymore. Furthermore, don't feel obligated to follow someone that is following you. The point of twitter is to filter out unwanted information, and boost the signal of wanted information.

3. Check out this blog post for a great collection of articles on twitter. http://www.alnyethelawyerguy.com/al_nye_the_lawyer_guy/2009/06/35-valuable-articles-for-lawyers-to-read-about-twitter.html

Good Luck!!!

Summer Time and the Law School Is Easy...

This summer I am taking two classes: Entertainment Law and Defamation Privacy and Publicity. Entertainment Law is a very general overview of the business and legal side of the entertainment industry, focusing on such topics as talent contracts. Defamation, on the other hand, is a very focused class on a specific species of tort that balances individual's personal rights with constitutionally protected free speech.

It is great to finally take classes that represent my career interests specifically. While all of law school is a rhizome of overlapping and intertwining subject matter, it feels good to get a little specialization, and to apply what I have learned in other classes ( like contracts and torts) to the area of law I hope to break into in two years.

Southwestern itself is a strange atmosphere during the summer, reminding me of the lazy summer days and casual classes of the summer session of undergrad. It is a nostalgic, if ephemeral, feeling.

Judges Say the Darndest Things...

Judges sometimes have a penchant for the dramatic. And sometimes they seem to be a little bit angry. But I suppose this is with good reason, they are supposed to be very wise, and they often have a way with words. Here are some of my favorite Judge quotes and phrases, typically recorded in real cases thus far:

"Braggadocio of a Badass"

"Plaintiff's counsel, apparently laboring under the impression that I am not dealing with a full deck and that my knowledge of diversity requirements is about equal to that of a low-grade moron..." -Judge Lord

"...I can hardly expect any more from a counsel whose familiarity with Title 28 U.S.C. 1332 could be no more than a friendly wave from a distance visible only through a powerful telescope." -Judge Lord

The court has, "no obligation to lead counsel through a jurisdictional paint-by-numbers scheme."

How to Use Twitter and Not Waste Your Time Pt. 1

Twitter is the best new form of personal marketing available. I often get strange looks from friends and acquaintances when I say this, but it is true. Here is how I believe best used for non-trivial purposes:

1. Follow people who have meaningful and pertinent things to say. If you are sports fan, follow the players you like, the sports writers who have interesting blogs and the teams you are a fan of. If you are a lawyer, search for other lawyers in your practice area or that are local. Try searches related to you practice area to see what people are saying about it and "tweet" about current topics or topics that are missing.

2. Be a person who people want to follow. How to do this? Make meaningful and pertinent posts. I always try to include a link to an interesting article in my "tweets", so that there is always more content per tweet than the 140 characters.

3. Know and use the lingo. Use hash marks (#____) and re-tweets (RT @username) to generate buzz about what you are saying. The # symbol before a keyword create posts that term to sites like http://twitter.com/hashtags , http://www.hashtweeps.com/ and http://www.tweetscan.com/ . Re-tweeting is like amplifying another person's signal, sending the original person's tweet to all your followers. If you like someone's tweet, it is good twitter etiquette to retweet it with "RT @username" before the post. More on that here: http://bloggingbits.com/the-art-and-science-of-retweeting-for-twitteraholics/

To be continued....