damn the muse

Can it be August yet? Let's skip the part where I have to take the bar and just go to August, shall we? I'm still at bloody under 50 percent and there are 30 days left people.

Not going to panic. Not going to give up. I will pass the bar. I'm just going to nearly kill myself trying, but where there is a will there is a way.

Actually, what really has me nervous is the fact that I'm going up to 100mg on the topamax tonight. The side effects are brutal, which is why I'm glad I did the last 100 questions tonight instead of tomorrow. I still only got 40 right. Oy.

Posted by yasmín at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Republican House Leader is backing up a proposal for an amendment restricting marriage to that between a male and a female. He's quoted as saying that marriage is a sacrament. Well if it is, then government has no business getting involved in religion to begin with. Say it how you will, the nation is full of homophobes and they will use flawed reasoning to justify passing something that is harmful and stupid. And they have no right to use religion. And I'm sitting here laughing that he used the word 'sacrament' to back up his reasoning.

At the same time, the fight for gay rights is far from over and this proves it. I can only hope that the proposal for the amendment dies down as quickly as it did the first time.

Why can't we be like Canada?

Posted by yasmín at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's breaking news, so there is no link but it seems that another legend has passed. May you rest in peace Katherine Hepburn.

Edited to add:

Here's a link. Can I just say how bummed I am by this.

Posted by yasmín at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Looks like James Spader is joining The Practice. This is old news, which I find absolutely delightful since I worship the very ground this man treads. The thing that perplexs me is, can he really be that much more affordable than say Dylan McDermott?

Posted by yasmín at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If ya don't know, you do now. http://donotcall.gov It keeps the telemarketers away for five years.

Posted by yasmín at 8:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I am truely intrigued by Mel Gibson's The Passion. Due in part because of all the controversy that is brewing, also because Gibson makes good movies regardless and doesn't listen to the studios. I don't know if I'll see the film since I've never been a fan of seeing any adaptation of the New Testament except maybe Jesus Christ, Superstar, but who knows.

Anyway, here's a review of a rough cut of the movie, link courtesy of aintitcool.

Posted by yasmín at 9:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So it wasn't a stretch. Predictably, Thomas and Scalia dissented in a decision by the Supreme Court overturning the Texas sodomy law. It was a 6-3 decision, and though it would be wishful thinking to ask for a unanimous decision, I'm so glad this law was struck down.

Posted by yasmín at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Beware the wrath of the RIAA. No, really. Now they're really going to sue individual file-swappers. Can we say stupid? In the first place, they can sue, but these people don't have money. Sure, it may stop them, but more will show up in their place. If the industry wants to raise sales again, they need start with the root of the problem. Lower the price of cds, find better quality of music and don't just market it to teenyboppers because, hello, we're all not mindless airheads having emotional breakdowns because the boy next door looked at us the wrong way, and stop treating all file-sharers like criminals. Many people, myself included, like to sample music, have to sample music before we decide whether we do want to pay 20 bucks for a cd. It's a bit tiring let alone expensive having to pay for a cd that only has one worthy song. It's just not going to happen.

If the RIAA does begin suing, then I think there should be a boycott. Let the greedy bastards bleed.

Posted by yasmín at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My little Spike story becomes a threesome. I'm actually glad Mr. Jones Jr. has stepped foward to say something because this whole thing has just gotten ridiculous. More so since the appellate judge actually refused to overturn the injunction. Why don't people just see how absurd this is getting?

Posted by yasmín at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

::sob:: I know who dies. It's so not fair. I'm such a spoiler whore. I just had to know, and I'm not happy it had to be that person. Poor Harry Potter. I guess I'll know the details in August.

Posted by yasmín at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SCOTUS rules that libraries must put anti-porn filters on computers if they expect to receive federal money.

Though the need to protect a child is important, there has to be another way of going about it. Filters are censors. They censor legitimate sites. Why not create specific accounts for children and filter those. Is there some unwritten law that libraries are just for children? Where are the parents in all of this?

I expected a different decision, and I'm surprised that this was the result.

I'm taking bets on the sodomy case. I know how Scalia and Clarence are going to vote, but anyone want to guess on how that one will be decided if at all this term.

Posted by yasmín at 6:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Universities can use race as a factor for admittance. In a 5 to 4 split, the Supreme Court ruled that the U of Michigan's law school policy was constitutional for being narrowly tailored (geek!!!!), and basically it didn't violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

This is significant. It's significant because affirmative action will be around for a while longer, and frankly I'm glad because it's still needed. Too many people are under the impression that affirmative action gives minorities a free ride into these institutions, and frankly that's just not true. Look at Texas. The state has no affirmative action policy and enrollment of minorities is at an all time low. Not because the students aren't qualified. It's because the schools are no longer looking to become diversified, and not only is that detrimental to the student body, but it's hurtful to the minorities who are in need of that education.

I could go on and on.

Posted by yasmín at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There's tons of news, so I'll be playing catch up because I really, really need to comment. It's just going to take me a while because I do need to put in more hours, or rather I feel like I should since our group is suddenly becoming rather competitive, and I do want to pass the bar on the first try and become licensed in November. Of course, if the reader knows anything about me, he/she knows that I'm a procrastinator at heart, so don't count me as gone just yet. Besides, post have been known to appear at the middle of the night even if they have been slightly less coherent and layered with the odd number of legal terms here and there.

I tell you, we would be lawyers have cramming down to an art form!

But this message is to any interested party, but mostly to my friends regarding the private journal. I need it. I'll be using it again, I think. I should never have stopped!! The mailing list is dead (at least until I find the time to fix it), so do you want me to email you with each new entry, or do you just want to try your luck at it. I can always just leave a little notice here. Jonni, this includes you too. ;-)

Posted by yasmín at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here ye, here ye. Accept thy lord Jeezus and ye shall no longer be gay. So sayeth the Southern Baptists at their yearly convention.

These poor delusional fools!

It's rather infuriating to see that so many people believe the misconception that to be homesexual is by choice rather than by genetics. It's not something to 'fix.' It's something to accept and to move on already.

Posted by yasmín at 9:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On the first simulated MBE test that I took I scored just below 50%, and now that we've taken the second one I'm up to 50%, which is very encouraging. I'm almost there. Our goal is to get to 80%, and we have 41 days to do it before the bar. We're going to pass.

Posted by yasmín at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cartoon Network will be premiering Saint Seiya in August under the name Knights of the Zodiac.

The name change makes sense seeing as I was first introduced to the series under that name in Spanish. I'm just not as thrilled that the series is finally being introduced to US audiences because it's probably going to be played during the Toonami hour, therefore it will be BUTCHERED!!!!

The one good thing is that the episodes will finally be available on DVD. Here's hoping they're the uncut version.

Posted by yasmín at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's official. Spurs fans are psycho.

Posted by yasmín at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You know we still live in an unconfortable world when a woman feels she has to kill herself because she wasn't able to give her husband a son. It infuriates me because these poor women have no idea that it's the mens' sperm that decides the sex of the child, so either way they have no power over the gender, but these damn mysogynistic countries are so full of themselves that they just don't care. Well that's fine. Let them. Sooner or later they're going to run out of subservient women and then their stupid all male species won't be able to procreate (unless they become hermaphrodytes) and they'll all die out. Survival of the fittest. We all knew Darwin was good for at least something.

Posted by yasmín at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spike Lee has won the first round against the TNN network. Sorry guys, no Spike TV for you yet.

Posted by yasmín at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ack! Steph, what happened to your camportal? I was showing it to my friend, and it's gone. ::laughs::

Yes, I finally updated. The roomie and I are glorified dorks. I like it.

Also, my bank has partially redeemed itself. They refunded the money that was stolen from me, which is such a relief. I'm still closing the account because they charge me an arm and a leg for checking, but at least I have money, and I can afford next month's rent and pay R. for the bar review course.

I do need to call the bank tomorrow though and inquire about the investigation. The person who robbed me will be arrested if I have a say in it. That and she will never work as a CNA in the state of Texas ever again.

Posted by yasmín at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My muse is on a rampage. Except there is a teeny little problem. It's been crippleled by legal jargon.

Damn the Board of Legal Examiners and their sadistic practices. Now I'll never be a writer. Never will my words grace the pages of Cosmopolitan magazine. My aspirations of being the Anne Rice of now have been shattered into dozens of ... of...

brain dead......

Actually, I would give an arm and a leg to not have to read any of Rice's new stuff. To lock me up in a room with one of her newer books would be false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. I'll show you outrageous! Outrageously bad. How's character assassination for you? Shall I add that to your order with a Christopher on the side? Whipped cream you say? Sorry, it only comes with Hershey's chocolate syrup, but I assure you it's almost as good.

la madre

eres una niña
empeñada en tu cuna
triste como la luna
eterna en tu soledád

Posted by yasmín at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Scored an 81 on the first practice run through the MBE and I cut my hair. I'm pleased with both actually. Even though the former is rather low, I know that a few questions I got wrong simply because I didn't take the time to think them through. I know the law, and that is such a relief. As for the latter, it's cute. It's the same size as the really-needs-to-be-updated-webcam-pic which I hope to update today.

Posted by yasmín at 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apparently, the chances of my getting carpal tunel syndrome are much slimmer now. So I shouldn't worry too much about being a computer addict. My fingers will be agile for another five years. At least until the next study comes out contradicting this one.

Bets anyone?

Posted by yasmín at 7:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wackiest moment of the day:

Getting schmoozed by an Italian who once convinced he had me reeled in quoted the following lines from "Caressing Skin"

'My anticipation.
Sliding languidly up this painted face,
like bitter kisses caressing skin.'

In the immortal words of Monty Python sayeth I to Nik and my roommate, "Runaway, runaway."

Rule 1: You don't impress me by quoting my poetry (no matter how great) via icq.
Rule 2: When you quote lines like the above, you really do give mixed signals, and since I'm not in the mood for entanglement with middleaged balding men from Italia, the answer is no.

Posted by yasmín at 7:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I like Hugh Jackman. I think he's a good actor, but I never considered him gorgeous........until now. My god, it's the hair. I want to braid it! Run my fingers through those glorious brown strands. I don't want him to cut it off!! And now, I know I will have to admit to two facts. I have a Hugh Jackman hair fetish. I will see Van Helsing aka Vampire Hunter D in disguise!!

And for the record, I'm rather disappointed that Eddie Izzard did not win a Tony.

Posted by yasmín at 9:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's been decided for me, it's a little too early to have a nervous breakdown over the bar exam. This of course did not prevent the tiny flood yesterday, which I could not spare thanks to the unavoidable hangover. Damn! Then F. paid me a visit today. F. rocks my world. He told me to chill. I really should listen to people more.

The group thing is not working as well as I had hoped partly because I do feel left out because I can't stay the full time, which wouldn't be as problematic except one of the members has made it seem like it is. It's a matter of coordination, and I just need to stop letting her and them bug me. And regardless of what they say, even though we are taking the first MBE tomorrow, I will still be working on questions an hour each day until I know I can easily score over a 130 on that part of the test.

I'm going to treat this like a job. Study during the day until 5 or 6, and then have the evenings off. Study maybe two or three hours on weekends, but for the most part I'm going to try and give myself those days off. My sanity needs it.

But for now, it's back to answering questions since we are taking a simulated MBE tomorrow (ugh) and it would be nice to at least get 50 questions right on the first try, but I know I'll do better.

Oh yeah, and I promise not to let the group get to me. At least I'll try. I think we're driving each other crazy!! ::laughs::

Posted by yasmín at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gay pride event no longer allowed at the Department of Justice because the month of June has not been recognized as gay pride month by our President. Yet, an event was held last year. I wonder what made them change their minds. It couldn't be that our President is gearing up for re-election.

Posted by yasmín at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So far, after four jello shots and a mudslide, my liver seems to have survived. I can't say the same for a few friends.

It's rather sad. I think I'm beginning to understand why so many of us enjoy drinking. It helps us escape from the stress. For once, at least right now, I appreciate that brief respite.

Posted by yasmín at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Cell users can keep their numbers. It's about time. It may be too late for me when I switch carriers in July (from Sprint to Verizon no less), but at least it's a start, barring appeals and/or any injunctions.

Posted by yasmín at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ashcroft wants to expand the Patriot Act. Pardon the language, but national security my ass. What about citizen's rights? Do we just not matter anymore? I bet anything that Patriot II will be introduced soon now that he's made these comments, and I can only hope that legislators have a more steady head on their bodies to let such a dispicable piece of legislation burn right in its tracks.

Posted by yasmín at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Verizon to release the names of file swappers. Their appeal was denied, giving the RIAA another undeserved win. It just baffles me that these judges refuse to see how dangerous the DMCA is. Not just for its chilling effect on free speech, but also all the other unlimited rights and police powers it gives to copyright holders. Why are they not disturbed by this?

Posted by yasmín at 9:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Coming soon: Spike Lee TV. Apparently, the director thought they were naming the station after him. Of course the first thing I thought of when I heard about Spike TV was James Marsters. Just think, our favorite vamp on tv 24/7. That Billy Idol look. Those perfectly sculptured abs. That accent.

Bloody hell, it's a shame I was wrong.

Posted by yasmín at 6:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yesterday was great. Today really sucked. I don't know property. This of course isn't news to me, but it was a blow nonetheless. We laughed it off, but by the time I came back home I wanted to cry. Out of the 20 questions we did I think we each averaged about 3 or 4 right, total. It was sad. Then again we all had the terrible property professor, so it's just going to take some time. That and we're going to have to answer tons of questions. I just want to learn this stuff so I can ace the MBE part of the exam and move on.

I think the part of the day that bothered me the most was an email I received from a friend. We're starting our own practice. He already passed the bar and he's just waiting on me. So he emails me after finding out that I'm not taking BAR/BRI unlike the rest of the school, and apparently practically everyone in my class is under the impression that this is a bad idea! He offers me his books, and he just sounded so concerned, and it just bothered me. Just because I don't have twelve hundred books to read every night and outlines to condense does not mean I am not getting an adequate review for the bar. I'm doing a group study with Reed's review course, and I'm quite happy with it. I don't have to fill in the blanks to keep myself awake while watching video tapes. I get a very intense review, and when I don't understand something there are three other people in that room with me who do understand and they help me out. It's more one on one, and I like it. I appreciate his concern as well as his offer, but I'm just tired of all the condescending looks. We're going to pass this exam, and I swear I will run over the next person who gives me the pity look after they tell me they know I'm not taking BAR/BRI. I'll be sure to give that person the same look when I find out they didn't pass the bar and I did.

Posted by yasmín at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's possible to pass the bar having graduated from the first internet law school. Yay for those who did pass.

Posted by yasmín at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

McD's sues Italian critic because the guy just didn't like the fast food's meal. Seriously, not everyone is supposed to like rubber.

Posted by yasmín at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Question: Anyone have tips on how to survive studying for the bar? I thought school was bad, but this is actually a little worse, or maybe it's just me. I seriously feel like such a 1L. Looking over Torts and Contracts I've realized that I've forgotten most of it. A whole years' worth that I'm supposed to remember in a week. This of course does not include Property, which I know nothing about because our section had the misfortune of having a terrible teacher, and Con Law, which I love but I'll probably feel clueless there too. The group was going over Crimes today, but I had to miss because of what happened yesterday. I'm so behind. Maybe this is why I'm so anxious.

Did I mention? I'm going to pass the bar. And even if I start to doubt myself, I'll just say it again. I will pass the Texas Bar Exam. Not just that, I'm great at multiple choice, so I should be just fine.

I will pass the bar.

Damn the Board of Law Examiners. Those sadists. They derive pleasure out of seeing us bleed tears of stress as we pour over line after line of future estate interests, and the elements of negligence (duty, breach, causation, damages). They have mens rea. And I really don't quite remember what that means yet.

C'est la vie.

Posted by yasmín at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jonni rocks my world. You know why. Thank you so much. I will be watching Season 1 all week now.

Posted by yasmín at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bank card stolen. Money lost. Not happy. Not happy at all.

Posted by yasmín at 6:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)