9.13.05
Midway through September and I’ve been keeping very busy. Rented a zipcar this weekend to run some errands and buy some groceries. Aside from trying to navigate the city streets from a car instead of on foot, it went well. It was very convinent, the car was brand new, and more importantly, the gas was free. I think its a brilliant concept for those who don’t use a car more than once a month or so instead of forking over an arm and leg to have a car sitting in a garage for 80% of the time.
All this coverage of Katrina made me assess my situation here in the city, whether I would be able to fend for myself in the days following a disaster, and what my coningency plan would be. FEMA was at work today, handing out pamphlets and booklets on emergency preparedness, talk of water supply, first aid kits, and non-perishable food. Bringing back memories from my scouting days, backpacking in the middle of no ware, lugging water and MRE’s on your back, you really appreciate what the definition of “needs” and “wants” are to the modern human being.
Classes are going well, and I think I have a favorite class that has come out above, one that actually surprises me, Property. I think I’m liking it largely because of its practical application to real life, being that by living in a modern democratic free market economy the right of property is more a part of everyday life than not. Its definitely one of the classes that I’m “getting” more than not. I recently survived another brush with the socratic method, which went well. I’m wondering how the level of intensity varies at different schools, different programs.
The biggest impression that I’m taking away from being a student again is the nighttime classes really taxes on your schedule. I think I got a little training my year back at home in 2001 working during the day and taking classes at UH and KCC at night. Of course this substantially more difficult and time-intensive. I’ve been pondering how crowded the train in the late evening, and the types of people that ride around the time I get out of class.
Just finished reading a compilation of essays by the late John Paul II on the right of property throughout history and modern civilization. Kind of a critique really, with some of the classic anti-capitalist themes that one might not expect from the Catholic church. Unless I missed the point. One of the influences that comes with the territory of going to a religious school. Not quite sure what to make of the level of indoctrination they put in the law school, but so far it makes for interesting debate no doubt, no less.
The time spent so far hasn’t had much of an effect in swinging my political views, at least according to this site my political compass is oriented to the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Ghandi. With an Economic Left/Right: -7.38, Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.23, I’m a strong Left Libertarian, no surprise there. I suppose 4 years at Madison and 2 at LaFollette during my young impressionable years might explain some of this, or maybe its because I’m just anti-establishment by nature.