Hitting the bar

Bar study in full swing now.  Prior to getting the job, I wasn't really studying because a) I felt like I would pass it anyway and b) I didn't know what I was doing job-wise so it just didn't feel as important to me.  But now, with my job riding on the outcome of this test, I am extremely motivated to pass it. 
 
The bar is really an annoying exercise.  It is a two day deal, which consists of:

DAY I

• 90 minutes-- two essays


• 90 minutes-- the Multistate Performance Test, where they give you a fake case file and some fake cases and you have to write a fake memo

--lunch--

• 180 minutes-- four essays (the fatigue will destroy you)

DAY II

• 180 minutes-- 100 multiple choice problems

--lunch--

• 180 minutes-- 100 multiple choice problems

I now have done a full simulated bar, so I have an idea about the timing and difficulty issues.  The multiple choice problems are especially bad, because typically I can figure out the way the problem is to be generally answered, but they're all phrased as 'pick the best answer' which leads to looking at two choices that are fairly similar but express a different and sometimes both correct legal doctrine to reach the conclusion.
 
Oh, and then there's the common law approach to criminal law, which no state even follows anymore, such as that a burglary must be at night.  So stupid. 
 
In the meantime, I'll just have to study for the other kind of bar exam, where I learn the difference between a gimlet and a Rob Roy and... no, I think I better wait on that one. 

LINKS

Bobby Fischer got arrested in Japan and is facing deportation back to the US.  Folks, he is THE bull goose loony.  
 
Aw, it's ok.  You can hate Garfield if you want.
 
Uncle Kurt is not too happy about the direction our country's going.
 
Less serious, try the brutally honest personals if you want to get an idea of what you're in for if you, uh, date.

Next phase

As of two weeks ago, I moved from being "unemployed recent graduate of law school" to "employed recent graduate of law school." This is a big step. I am somewhat concerned that people in my firm will read this (not because of anything bad, but more because I don't want them to think I'm sucking up too bad), although if they do I only have myself to blame, as (as noted) I had the URL on my resume. Susan G. in the Career Services Office thought that was a bad idea.

So let's call the firm I'm working for The Firm. The Firm appears to be perfect for me. They only do plaintiff's class action litigation, and they only do big cases. Which is what I wanted to do. The Firm is also a laid-back sort of office, which is unnatural for law firms. However, doing only class actions means that we virtually never have to do any client contact. So no ties, or suits, or golf, or brown-nosing rich dudes, or joining the Rotary Club. This is a Good Thing. I don't think the Rotary Club would like me very much.

But now I have to take the bar exam, which means learning a thumbnail sketch of the entire breadth of the law in the next two weeks. Wish me luck!

A few links

Lest anyone forget... the Bush-Lay memos. How Bush has gone this far without having his ties to Enron shoved down his throat is beyond me. See also his lies about: Medicare, WMD, 9/11, etc.

A scientist finds the answer to "intelligent design theory" in the simple lamprey.

My e-friend Skot really writes funny stuff, as previously noted. Check out his bit on an erectile dysfunction drug ad he'd like to see.