Retiring

I'm retiring this blog. I think I'm going to start over fresh and really to do something different. We'll see what happens.

It's Already July? Can I Get a Time-turner?

It's apparently July. This came as a bit of surprise to me this morning, although it shouldn't have. It is officially less than a month before I take the California Bar Exam and I am completely unprepared. Well, not completely, but it feels a bit like that. Good thing I still have a couple of weeks to work 12 hours a day to make sure I pass that darn thing. To get me through this, besides the release of Harry Potter mid-July, is a trip to Hawaii for the second weekend of August.

I'm SO excited. My friends and I are staying at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel and it looks like this:

Are you jealous? Because present me is already jealous of future me. I can't wait to go!

Other than that, my mom moves to Baton Rouge next week and I hope visit her in August after my trip to Hawaii. I also hope to get a job sometime soon. I gotta lot on my plate; here's to hoping I can handle it.

Ch-ch-changes... mostly suck.

Much can change in three weeks, and then again, sometimes nothing changes at all. For me, much has changed. I graduated from Pepperdine Law School on May 20 at a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Alumni Park on the Malibu Campus overlooking the ocean. It was only slightly hazy that day, but otherwise brilliant and the weather was just chilly enough that my massive Harry-Potter-esque robes weren't too oppressively hot.

On a sadder note, four of my good friends here at Pepperdine have moved away from southern California to go back from whence they came. Katie went back to Wisconsin, Brittany to Ohio, and Bethany and Stephanie to Texas. It makes me sad to think that I won't see them again for a while. Especially Stephanie because I was often her partner in crime and there was never a dull moment when she was around. Times like these make me simultaneously curse and praise technology and social media. I am thankful that I have social media and technology to keep in touch with these wonderful people who I miss dearly; however, at the same time, it in some ways keeps the sadness of missing them around. In a way, it reminds me that I won't be able to call them and meet up and go out or just hang out with them at home, and that sucks. I know that with time, however, it won't feel so fresh or sad, but the road to acceptance and tolerance is sometimes long and irritating. Too bad there is not an easy button for that.

In other news, my mom officially retired early from Continental Airlines due to their merger with United Airlines. The significance of that is that I will no longer fly for free. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I will be regulated to paying for flights. No more random trips to France or England or anywhere. In fact, unless you come to SoCal to see me, it's unlikely that I'll see you for quite a while. This fact also makes me sad, but hopefully I'll have a job soon and then I can make enough money to afford a plane ticket and perhaps some time off. We'll see.


Finally, all I'm doing with my life at the moment is study for the bar exam. Most of my waking hours are devoted to this and yes, it sucks. But being a lawyer will be awesome; well, at least it better be.

Finals, Finals, Finals. Oh, listen to some music.

My last finals of my life are two days away and I'm not ready. I'm going to stop procrastinating in a minute...

In the meantime, listen to this. Seriously, this song is good. I love Eisley. I have for a while but I recently started obsessing about them, especially since I realized they have a new album. Anyways, take a listen!

Music Report: The Three Sides of the Coin

School is trudging along at a rapidly slow pace. Time is funny that way, but everyone knows this; it's still surprising how it still manages to surprise us. Anyway, getting down to the nitty-gritty. The other week I downloaded Adele's new album, 21, after a friend reminded me it was out (my friend Amber). After not listening to it for a while, I thought the other day, I'd play it again. After listening to it as background noise, I gave it a proper listening and I was truly blow away. This album is amazing. Her first album, 19, was beautiful and she has impressed me since then, but this album is full of emotion and her soulful voice. It is truly remarkable. Three of my favorite songs from this album are: Rumor Has It, Rolling in the Deep, and Someone Like You.

First, Rumor Has It. This is a soulful, edgy song with some rhythm and blues undertones and a throw-back feel. The catchy, 50s-like chorus and the dirty, southern sound is a infectious as it is empowering (I'm a big fan of the rhythmic clapping). The bridge in the middle is a break from the beat heavy song; it's just Adele sincerely singing out the lyrics accompanied by soft strings and the vibrant piano. It's a true delight and a song I can listen to over and over again.

Next, Rolling in the Deep. This song has been on the radio and was definitely a good first choice for a single. Again, there's the heavy emphasis on the drum and rhythm. You can definitely hear the influences of old country music on her sound, which I don't mind at all. It's fantastic. What's also great about this song are the lyrics. Adele openly talks about how this album is a break up album and this song is the powerful side. Basically telling the ex-lover, look what you could have had. You messed it up. You made a huge mistake. And my favorite (actual lyrics): "You're gonna wish you never had met me...Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep."

Finally, on the opposite side of Rolling in the Deep, there is Someone Like You. Adele talks about what this song means, so watch the video for that. This song is the opposite of both Rolling in the Deep and Rumor Has It. It's slow. The rhythm is stripped. It's just Adele, her beautiful voice and lyrics, and the piano. It's not a catchy or instantly infectious; rather its a song that sticks to your bones. It stays with you, lingering somewhere deeper. It's tragic and beautiful and real. It's probably my favorite on her album thus far.

Well, that's the end of my music report. I hope you enjoyed one of these songs. What are you obsessing about? What do you think of Adele?

Women and the Draft

Yesterday in my constitutional law: individual rights class we discussed gender discrimination and equal protection. My professor then broached the topic of the draft, and specifically whether women should be required to register for selective service. If you are a man between the ages of 18 and 25 in the United States, then you have to register for US Selective Service, but there is no such requirement for women. My gut reaction to this question is paradoxical. First, I am thankful I don't have to register because war scares me, and second, I feel outraged that I'm not required to register. 


That being said, I firmly believe that all women in the United States between the ages a 18-25 should also be required to register for selective service. For any man or woman out there who may disagree on this, evaluate your position. What are your justifications? If you come down to them, I'm sure they're based on generalities or stereotypes of the differences between men and women. I will not deny that there are, generally, differences between men and women in regards to physical attributes and biological differences, but generalities and stereotypes should not carry laws. Jobs in the military are not restricted to only combat roles. There are diverse support roles and other things, other tasks that can be (generally) equally accomplished by both men and women. Furthermore, there are some women who are just as capable any man to perform in a combat situation. Why should the law discriminate against her just because she doesn't fit the "stereotype"? The fact is that I do not believe that there is any actual, rational, or important justification for this blatant gender discrimination. I'll attack some commonly held justifications that I found via google search.


1. Women shouldn't be drafted because they can't fill combat roles.
While I already partially responded to this, I reiterate that there are other roles in the military besides combat roles. Second, this is a stereotype perpetuated by law. Why can't they? Because the men in charge decided they cannot, because society says they cannot, because a stereotype dictates they cannot. Let's face it, combat is not good for anyone. The men who go into combat aren't all hunky dory when they return. It sucks. It's awful. And while I support the southern gentleman attitude and find it (personally) very attractive, it shouldn't control our laws. Men aren't always the saviors, they can't handle everything all the time. War is messy, and men, biologically, mentally, are just as ill-equipped as women (generally speaking) to handle this. We, as a society, should not continue to support an institution, a law that perpetuates the idea that women are weaker in every way. By saying women cannot fill combat roles we are not only saying Men are stronger, faster, and more equipped physically, but that they have the mental capacity to handle the gore, the uncomfortable truths of war. This is offensive and just untrue. Women should share in the burden of war the same as men through the draft and should have to go into combat, if they fit to (which requires individual assessment.


2. Women are physically weaker than men. They naturally have smaller builds...you have to carry a lot of battle-rattle into combat...up to 60-70lbs. 
See above. Stop STEREOTYPING. The law should be neutral. If a particular woman cannot carry the required battle-rattle, then she shouldn't go into combat. Same if a man cannot carry the equipment. Groups should be treated equally under the law. The issue is not individual performance.


3.The maternal instinct may effect decision making in a combat situation. Women are emotionally more fragile than men. 
Stereotype. "More fragile"? Bullshit. Yet again perpetuating the notion that women are the "weaker" sex and that only men can handle these situations.


4. If a woman gets pregnant she is out of commission.
So what? Okay. We'll deal with that when it occurs. It shouldn't influence the law. The law in this situation should be neutral.




5. Women aren't made for war.
No one is made for war. I believe that war is fundamentally against human nature (in the long term). No one likes war except for sociopaths and those with severe dysfunctions. To say only "women" aren't made for war is misunderstand the human person, not just women. That being said, it is the unfortunate reality that we as humans fight wars. And I believe that there are persons (not just men) that have the spirit, the courage and capacity, to be fighters.  I agree with the idea Plato had in The Republic that there are women who capable of being warriors or auxiliaries as well as men. 


Bottom line in all of this. This is about serving your country. Men and women should equally carry the burden when it is mandatory. 


(As a side note, Israeli women must enlist in conscripted service the same as men. And in ancient Ireland, Celtic women were also warriors.)


Let's cut the chauvinistic bs. People can be chauvinistic, but the law shouldn't be.

Weekly Music Roundup: Middle Class Rut and Lady Gaga

I'm gonna try to share some music I'm currently obsessed with every week, but it will probably only end up to be every once in a while. For anyone who knows me, music drives me. I love it. It makes me happy and makes me feels alive, so I like to share it.

First up on Music of the Moment: LADY GAGA
Last night I was unexpectedly treated to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball at the Staples Center. First off. I LOVE Lady Gaga. I have liked her since before she was popular (not that it makes anyone less of a fan for discovering her after she became famous, I just want to be clear that I'm not liking her because others do nor do I think it's cool to stop liking an artist because they become popular), so when the opportunity came to get the tickets, I jumped at the opportunity. I am so glad I did. Her show was amazing. She was amazing, and she can sing (for anyone who may doubt that). And she does not lip sync during her performances; a fact she made perfectly clear on a number of occasions. She is a true performer and so entertaining. Also, she has possibly one of the most positive messages I think an artist can have. She constantly thanked her fans (her little monsters) during her performance and gave some pretty motivational speeches as well. All that being said, I don't think I would have ever seen her in concert if it weren't for the fact that someone else bought the tickets. The seats where I sat were face valued at $88 and going for over $150. Sheesh. That's WAY too much for one concert in my opinion. It was a great, great concert, don't get me wrong. It just was not worth that much; I don't think any artist is worth that much. (Yes, not even Muse).


Moving On. Another song I'm absolutely OBSESSED with is New Low by Middle Class Rut.
Seriously, if you have not heard this song, watch the video below. It's amazing. I love everything about it. The lyrics are fantastic and somehow everytime I listen to it, it's uplifting. I feel empowered. I have listened to this song at least 20 times in the past 5 days and I cannot get enough.

Here are the lyrics, in case you're curious.

I have no space, no room to move around
And this box is getting smaller
I'm trying to get out

How did I get so far from where I was?
When did I decide to lose my way?
Who have I become…

I got a new low, all 52 cards in a row
I see now that I won't let go
No I won't let go

Well who am I, a cold shoulder left to cry
You feel bad, well so do I
Yeah so do I

I've been right, I've been left
I've been wrong, I've been left behind
I've been up, but mostly down (x2)

I cannot help feeling like I have so much at stake
So I lock myself inside my head and I just run in place
So many directions I don't know which way to go
I'm so busy doing nothing I got nothing to show

I got a new low, all 52 cards in a row
I see now that I won't let go
No I won't let go

Well who am I, a cold shoulder used to cry
You feel bad, well so do I
Yeah so do I

I've been right, I've been left
I've been wrong, I've been left behind
I've been up, but mostly down (x2)

I make mistakes just like everybody else
But instead of letting go of it, I can't forgive myself
I did my time in a windowless box
Like it or not
All I got now is today
Tomorrow aint here
Yesterday is gone dead on me anyway

I've been right, I've been left
I've been wrong, I've been left behind
I've been up, but mostly down (x4)


So what have you been obsessed with lately? And do you like New Low as much as me? Do share.