I forgot how much I like doing plays and stuff

Last night was our law school's annual "skit" show. Basically, we poke fun at law school classes, professors and culture in general. I got "excused" to get out of the law review election a little early to do the show. I played a "Gunner Phone Sex" operator (on stage) and a talking locker (Offstage). It was a ton of fun. I got to enjoy my inner "ham" and really enjoyed it. When I was younger, I used to do that kind of thing all the time. It was nice to do something through the law school that had nothing to do with academics, or my career or even social justice for once. Not that I don't love being in those kinds of things, it is just a different thing.

This was just for me.

Speaking of which, I gave myself a gift this week and decided not to run for SBA again. I just gained a few hours a week back! The rest of 2008 is going to be about me taking back my life from the beast of law school.

Law School admin slogging through red tape

So, as a state school, we suffer with a lot of regulations by various state agencies. Recently, those regulations were found to have been ignored in the area of food sales inside the law school.

Today, I met with a bunch of perfectly reasonable administration officials about how to work within the rules.

Unfortunately, the rules mean that a few law school traditions are going the way of the dinosaurs, including the incredibly fun chili cookoff.

I think that as long as they tell everyone what the CAN do, instead of emphasizing the negative, the students can't argue much.

For those who know that I love complaining and agitating for change, it was a surprise to find myself agreeing with what was said at the meeting today.

I can't believe that these students can't fund raise!

We are trying to sell coupon books to benefit the organization that is going to the Gulf Coast this winter. I was foolish enough to assume that people who planned to make their living off of getting new clients for their firms, schmoozing existing clients, and possibly making presentations at court would be outgoing enough to sell stuff.

Not so.

Many of the people have been acting like they are doing me a personal favor by selling these coupon books (even though the money we raise helps every single student save money). They are whining about selling just three of the books, and behaving like I should buy them all myself to make it easier.

I sold 7 of the books with a total of an hours effort, just by TALKING to other people about them. Oh, that, and just by asking.

Instead of "don't ask, don't tell," I am dealing with people who are engaging in, "Don't ask, don't SELL!"

See, this is exactly the kind of stuff I wanted to avoid

So, after being way too stressed out last semester, I vowed I would ease up on the involvement with a trillion different organizations and obligations and live my life more. That's not happening. Why? Because I fail to control my ridiculous need to try to get involved.

Half the time, I get involved thinking that I can make a difference. When a difference isn't what's needed, I get stressed and frustrated. It sucks.


However, I am thinking that my involvement with at least one of the student orgs I am in can end, and it really won't matter. I have a "leadership" post in a student org that doesn't really want leaders - the rest of the executive board wants to do things exactly like we did last year. Doing what we did last year was ineffective, pointless and did nothing for our members. Why repeat it? Because innovation isn't prized much of the time in law school. Being a follower is.

I prefer to not be associated with any group that would rather follow than lead. I want to be a trailblazer. I want to try new things. I want new experiences. Isn't that why I decided to pursue a law degree at age 34?

Frankly, I think that my time is better spent getting to know like-minded students better. I also plan to do more work on things that count - like my relationship with my boyfriend and family.

Well, it sounds like I will have one less stressor on my plate by the end of the week, huh? I plan to resign my position on Thursday. :)

Pulled in 10 different directions

I am being pulled in 10 different directions this week. Besides classes, I have two meetings on Friday regarding the school's crappy LRAP and how to improve it. I also have another one on Saturday on contacting the alumni regarding LRAP. On Tuesday and Thursday after class, I have my study group for 2 hours. I have a Lexis training on Wednesday after Legal Writing. I also have to try and work on stuff for my volunteer work for an event that starts in 12 days. Also on friday, I am going to a friend's dance concert.

The worst thing about 1L is trying to get your reading done, while also trying to juggle 20 other things. Sometimes I wonder if I should just not be involved in all of this stuff, and become a hermit. On the other hand, I am making lots of good connections with other students and making some new friends.