Kaulapi World

Another day, more mice caught in the little basement apartment that I call home. Two, to be specific, 2 more, one in the old fashioned trap, and one in the more modern sticky trap. I guess I underestimated the effectiveness of the trap from the outset, it pretty much smashed the little face into the wooden plank rather effectively, leaving a pool of blood behind, which looked a lot like a ketchup spill. I guess I keep telling myself, between squints, it was better him than I.

Week of relaxing and chilling out, taking a break from both school and work, eating some dead cow and crab, watching some bowl games and cleaning up the apartment.

Latest adventure is that a bunch of mice have decided to move into the apartment, been noticing the little presents they leave behind in little corners and hard to see places. Surprised how much the little shits shit. At first I wasn’t that bothered by it being that I figured these weren’t as bad as cane rats like back at home, and there was only when there was one running around. Apparently it was much worse upstairs, so they called in a professional who set up some sticky traps around my place.

Caught a tiny one behind the TV stand with a sticky trap a couple of weeks ago, and it was pretty quiet for a while……..

Then a few days ago I realized that apparently 2 more had set up camp in the shelf space that I’ve been using as a pantry, and were eating the korean saimin and squeeking at each other all night. Staying up late a few nights ago I saw one of them running around in the shelf, so I got out the broom and started pulling cans out when the little fucker made a run for the closet. Amazingly he ran right into tiny plastic bag that happened to be lying on the floor, somehow I was able to trap him with the broom and lock him up in a plastic food container.

The remaining one was much bolder than the other two, he was much more visible than the other two, running out in the open and sticking his nose out around the corners, almost like he’s messing with me. Last night I saw him run into the kitchen so I set up a barricade of sticky traps, clamp traps and those traditional mousetraps baited with cheese. Somehow he was able to get by and it and sure enough was running around in the open again. He apparently set up camp underneath the bed in an old duffle bag, so early this morning when I was pretty sure I heard him there I threw the whole thing out. Not sure if I got him, but so far I haven’t seen him since.

Of course this adventure continues, 1 became 2 and 3 and more now, many of whom I suspect are coming in from upstairs since they discovered and sealed up their mouse-holes with steel wool and wood. I duct taped down a wooden plank to block the gap at the bottom of the door that leads upstairs, but I suspect that they are coming in through the walls, for lack of a better way to get in. I wonder if it is in the mouse’s instinct to migrate downstairs.

Of course trying to make a positive spin on my situation, this has given me the incentive needed to clean up the place and get rid of a lot of crap. I still want to trap the little fuckers though.

Pau with exams and I’m taking some time to get reorientated to life pre-law school. It is kind of nice, I’m able to stick around a bit later at work, clean up some spreadsheets, clear my desk, go down for a workout on the bike and free weights and not have to worry about briefing cases or researching for memos. I guess I gained a couple pounds in the last month of studying, a little surprising since I thought that I would’ve gained a lot more during the crunch time.

Lessons abound for the next semester, I’m ready mentally for whats in store, planning to give myself some time off first, and then it’ll be back to work. Probably revise and clean up some of my outlines, get some cases down pat, and read some of these nutshells so I’ll have some idea of what to expect during round two of this hoop.

Xmas around the corner, as it turned out the flights didn’t work out with the schedules as far as a reasonable price goes. I guess part of the tradeoff of living on the coast is the extra costs of a flight home. Especially during the colder winter months. I plan to keep it pretty low key, probably just chill out and catch some movies. So far I’ve seen King Kong, which was surprisingly awesome, I might go as far as saying it might be one of the best movies I’ve seen all year.

Property exam tonight, and now its all pau for my first semester of law school as part of the evening division. The running joke is that we all have just seven more semesters left before its all done. Then we can look forward to studying for the bar. I’m split on how I feel I did. All of this is really a black box when it comes to gauging whether you’ve prepared enough for exams or not. The very exam that I felt like I prepped the worse for ended up being the better of the tests I felt like I took. go figure.

While I think I got the research part down pretty good, I can say that I’m not too fond of my performance on the writing parts, I’d like to contribute it to the fact that it is a different style of writing that I’m getting used to, but who knows. I’m partly dreading and anticipating my grades for the first semester. I guess what is done is done, but still I always wonder if I could’ve done even a little better.

I suppose this is what they call law school. A friend whose been through it said that it really is a constant guessing game, people who might’ve thought they were relatively intelligent going into it spend the next 3-4 years questioning how smart they really are. The powers to be work very hard at breaking you down to accept the new way of thinking, analysis, processing, and frame of mind.

So far so good as far as keeping my sanity, but I have to admit that I am a little fatigued both mentally and physically from the dual processes of work and school. Much to learn, many lessons learned quickly and on the fly this first semester. Believe it or not, but I’m actually looking forward to the spring already. If I get ambitious I might actually try to read ahead, and maybe even buy my Torts book in advance. Or not. For now its to chill out, work out a bit and unwind, at least for a couple weeks before its back at it again. Auwe.

Another round of studying, reviewing, and outlining, and another exam around the corner. Another dance with the ivory tower. The mindset this time around is different, intensity, and material, but otherwise I’m not too fazed by the drill of being buried in books, with a cup of legal stimulants in hand. Found a good place to study in Van Ness, one that is open later than 10 on the weeknights.

Funny, I thought that there were more places open late aside from Dupont, but I guess thats just the way the city goes. In more ways than one I miss college library back in Madison, and the 24 hour study hall room. I tend to be more productive at odd hours of the night.

Went to work over the weekend and literally cleared off my desk - of paper that is. This week will be busy organizing and filing, depending on what deadlines are firmed up going into the Xmas break. Its just as well, I kind of need to keep focused until these last two exams are pau.

One exam down, and 2 to go. Fortunately the format of the evening program is such that 2 of the three exams we take in the fall semester are recalibrated to be more like midterms, being that the courses go throughout the entire first year.

Had some crunches with working out the studying and work schedules, I had some brushes with time managment issues that resulted in probably my first and only slip-up at work so far in the past year and a half. What is strange about it was that it had nothing to do with the actual work that I do, but the response I got was at the level that you would’ve thought I had totally messed up something huge. Feedback on a whole has been odd as well, leading to the impression that maybe the institution values appearances over content much more than I had originally thought.

I find this very strange logic, but not too surprising, as the nature of organizations is that they get fat and burdened with process. It is just that I can’t help but find it ironic that I am running into this line of reasoning at this place, considering what we are supposed to be doing in the bigger picture and scheme of things. Maybe it is just the growing pains involved, with what they call human resources and public administration reform and what not.

Someone once told me that promotions can be a double edged sword, in that every subordinate’s performance is reflective on his/her manager. This I think is very true, better to go with the gut. The ironic thing is that I don’t respond well to the traditional incentives of fatter paycheck or a more prestigious title, especially over something so small on the process-oriented as opposed to job-related specturm.

I suppose my motivations in life and don’t quite fit the norm of the corporate institution, maybe my work ethic is a little old-fashioned, or maybe I can draw the Amber-ire by attributing it at least in part to my cultural roots. I will embrace the eventual title change and the fat paycheck when I am good and ready to deal with the politics and responsibilites that come with it. In the meantime I have some other important long term goals to work on that may or may not cross paths with my current job. I still believe that they do, but I could be proven wrong.

Thought I’d take a short break from the books to put in a couple posts, been pacing myself for the mental marathon of sorts that we call the evening, part-time program. We’ll get to see soon enough how much of this learning curve has kicked in over the past 4 months. I’m cautiously anticipating this round, as always, hoping for the best.

Countdown to 1 of 3 Exams is 16 hours or so, I’ve been studying all day and night and its time to get some kind of shuteye in. I notice the mindset this time around is very different than what I had in grad school, not too surprising really, but a bit sobering in realizing the progression of thought and processing. It is a different game this time for sure.

Took leave from work for the better half of the week, so I have some time to focus, been having some observations on my experiences and placement thus far, true to the game I think I’ve been experiencing a somewhat non-traditional path. Although it is a path that fits my interests in more than one way. I think I’m learning a lot from the older, more experienced staff, and am definitely challenged with the work - something that I couldn’t honestly say 1 year ago.

Coincidentally my periodic rating was today, and when I checked in, I got a happy email notifying me of my latest raise. I guess now I’ve passed yet another benchmark of income that will no doubt subject me to higher taxes, and ultimately abolish any right to complain about financial stability compared to the regional and national average income for people in my household situation. I find myself looking at ways to limit my tax liability now, and debating whether certain benefits such as student loan repayments, are actually worth the extra numbers on the April 15 forms. Auwe.

Not much time to post much lately. Been reading a lot and preparing for the next couple of weeks, after that I should be ready for a vacation. Not sure if I’m going anywhere warm for Xmas yet, probably with work and school schedules I’ll probably just hole up for a mellow break. maybe rent a car for the weekend or something. Otherwise its back to these thick red books.

Happy December!