clark debonair.

There are many web-based applications that I enjoy. Twitter, is of course, one such application. But that’s not the topic of this here post. The topic of this post is Pandora.

Not too long ago, I used to scour the web for new artists, spend many hours in the iTunes Music Store (as it was then called because one could not purchase movies and other media) looking for the as-of-yet undiscovered band. I’m no longer on that cutting edge. I still consider myself somewhat literate in the regard.

In my adoption of Pandora, I must admit, I was a latecomer. But, once I arrived, I was a near-instant believer. I admire the concept of the Music Genome Project. Throughout law school, I’ve been able to enjoy the benefits of Pandora on my computer and, more recently, on my phone. It’s good because I can appeal to both my familiar and adventurous tastes in the same application. It’s a welcome alternative to my iTunes library when I really want to hear something new–something I’ve never heard before. It’s an equally suitable channel (much like terrestrial radio) for when I don’t want to have to make any musical decisions.

I hope that my many hours of listening (and my monetary contribution for unlimited plays and higher-quality streaming) contributes to the collective intelligence of the Music Genome Project. I plan to listen to Pandora for many years to come–so long as licensing fees do not run it into the ground. It has managed to survive this far, and I do hope that decades from now that it will continue to exist. I’ll fire up whatever media device of the day that I have and at my fingertips will be a collection of stations I began to build in the latter days of the ’00s.

Though a collection has never been the final goal, that’s what it will be some day. A collection that for long as I listen to music (as sure as I am alive), will grow and learn music and artists and catalog them along with me. Coupled with the other media for enjoying music, I am so grateful for all the methods that I am able to take pleasure from. Vinyl, radio, computer, phone, the list goes on.

And, one day, I shall get back to the discipline of studying and learning music as I used to. How I miss it and long for it someday in the coming months and years. Thank God for the gift of music.

On my way home, I was led down the most beautifully frightening, wrong road.

The post title may seem unoriginal. It is, but it’s blunt. If there’s any sort of characteristic about this quarter that I’d say will show time and again, it is bluntness.

The class is just as everyone had described, but also it’s not any of those things described.

Sure, it’s never been demanded of me that I consistently read 100-200 pages a night of case law in addition to rulebooks and a particularly dense Evidence treatise. But, many people have managed to do it. People rise to the occasion; we all have that sort of discipline in us. It’s not that bad when everyone you know in the class is clocking the same amount of hours of work and sleep as you are. You do it because it’s part of the game. Quite a game it is.

The professors have earned their reputations, but they’re probably more fair than people have described them. I hedge there because I’ve only completed two weeks. There’s still plenty of time to forge a lasting opinion.

Class has never been more demanding in terms of preparation time and with respect to the amount of hours spent giving active attention to both lecture and Socratic discourse. I probably spend more time making sure my rulebooks and materials are stacked just so on my desk than I ever did reviewing cases for previous law school classes. It’s not enough to have done the reading and have the materials within arm’s reach. You literally have to know where each case, rule, and supplemental material is within a moment’s notice.

Memos. Everyone in our class has had at least one. These were one thing that had a particular shroud of mystery about them. They still are somewhat mystical. They can strike at most any time for most any topic. Length? As long as is necessary to explain the results of your research. Time involved? It’s difficult to estimate. I’d venture to say it’s about a 45 minute minimum and there may not be an upper time limit.

Speaking of time, it is indeed very precious. An hour of errands essentially means one hour less of sleep. There is no making up for a lost hour. Hours should be spent reading and highlighting. After class, only a half hour break should be taken regardless of what time you’re let out. For dinner, take no more than an hour–45 minutes is preferred. For lunch, eat as quickly as you can and spend the rest of the hour plus that you’ve been allotted to both get some computer time in (20 minutes to respond to email and check your favorite websites) and review materials for the next class.

Weekends are so rewarding. Friday nights (I’ve only had two, mind you) have never been so conflicting–and so glorious. Sleep calls early–because it may be had, at long last. But the prospect of fun conflicts with the notion of an early bedtime. I’ve found thus far that desire for sleep has mostly won out. But, I do await at least one Friday night where I can stomach staying out as late as any normal law student might.

That’s all I know for now. I’ve done my best not to exaggerate, though we all tend to think we work more than we do. I’m sticking with it, and so are my peers. What a great achievement it will be when it’s all done.

Right this very moment, I sit. I sit on my couch in my apartment, and I watch TV. It’s been a great quarter.

This morning, I registered for Practice Court. I registered, and so it’s now registering with me how full-circle the Baylor Law School experience is coming.

There are some exciting things on tap for this year. But, a lot stands between me and those goals and milestones. I probably shouldn’t be looking at it that way. I should even savor this time that’s sure to stretch and stress me. Odds are that I won’t–that I’ll grow complacent even when I’m in constant motion. I hope to understand that life isn’t all about moving forward. Sometimes it’s about the striving in the day at hand as opposed to constantly looking toward milestones. My point to myself is that it’s not an all or nothing approach. I must actively understand that life is best when viewed in terms of future, past, and present together–not one to the exclusion of the others.

I have been lavished with blessing in 2009. I look back to those good things, and I look forward. I also look to the essence of each day as it unfolds. Right now, the circumstances are perfect for the triune view. The weather is cold, my abode is warm and I’m fresh with holiday cheer that comes from spending time with friends and family. As the weather outside registers a higher temperature, indicating a new season, I arise to new tasks and new challenges. I am truly excited. I’m positive that there are many things that I won’t enjoy, but I sincerely hope that with the pain and sleeplessness I become a better person. That means that I hope I come out on the other side more determined to be balanced and to excel professionally. I hope all the sweat and blood truly yields a better, more competent person.

As it stands, I will proceed as though it will. However, if it registers that the events of the coming months are just some sort of unbelievable exercise in a twisted game, I’m prepared to tackle that at its face value. Either way, I hope that I keep the most positive outlook possible. As the recurring optimist in me thinks, I should weather life’s storms better if only I keep an agreeable view of things. It’s an active choice I intend to make as often as I remember to do so. May it be often.

[Photo is in the heart of Santa Fe from my weekend trip in Summer 2009.]