Did I do that right? Is this what panic looks like? Why can't I keep a single line of thought?

Dear Incoming Law Student:
Brief this case.

Ok; so the letter I got from Suffolk Law was softer and more expository. It was, in fact, notably prosaic in tone and form. It was almost, in fact, kind.

The good news is that I've been invited to a four-day-long new student orientation session.

Orientation includes a two-hour First-Law-School-Class. Included in the orientation information was a packet of three cases. The first, Commonwealth v. Delgado, 367 Mass. 432 (1975), concerns armed robbery. The second, Commonwealth v. Howard, 386 Mass. 601 (1982), concerns armed robbery. The third, Commonwealth v. Powell, 433 Mass. 399 (2001), concerns armed robbery. As far as I can tell, the cases are nearly identical but the Supreme Judicial Court made three different rulings.

At any rate, the instructions said to read all three cases and the sample case brief for Delgado; to brief Howard but not Powell; and then...wait...what was the first one? I don't even think I cited the cases correctly.

I briefed Delgado before reading the sample case brief. The bad news is that I did it all wrong. I used bullet points where I should have used full sentences. I put some of the FACTS under the PROCEDURAL HISTORY heading. I stated the ISSUE incorrectly and the HOLDING was too long.

Now, I get that if I knew how to brief a case I wouldn't be a 1L. And I get that a sizeable part of the first year is taken up with learning how to brief cases. I'll learn it fast; of course I will. (I hope I will. What if I don't??) It's just that...well...I sort of wanted to be a prodigy.

Cue peals of evil laughter. The one-page letter may as well have been reduced to that one line: brief this case. Perhaps followed by ...and then you will die. muahaha. The anxiety is rising faster and faster.

If I can make it through the first class, then law school will be a breeze.
Just kidding.

Thirty-Something and Irons

Waking up early is fine when I have a set schedule. I consider waking up at five a.m. on a work day running late. But on Sunday morning I prefer six. So I was already grumpy this past weekend.

But once I got into the Sunday rhythm I shook off the five and drank some coffee; toddled around my apartment; cleaned a bit; took out the trash.

They sneaked in behind me:

Signs that I'm a grownup:

• Sunday morning's big event: I screwed hardware into my wall.
• I spent so long ironing curtains that my auto-shut-off-iron auto shut off. Twice.
• I ironed curtains.
• I own an iron.
• My iron has an automatic shut-off feature.
  

It's not so bad, being an adult. It's the getting old that disturbs. Sometimes I ramble. Did you really care that I awoke early this weekend? I took a long shower Sunday morning because I couldn't remember whether I'd conditioned my hair. Or, actually, even washed it. (So now you understand my auto-shut-off iron.) Later, I panicked when I realized I'd left my cellphone on the train. As adrenaline rushed me I hurriedly finished the cellphone conversation I was having so I could go back and retrieve...my...cellphone.

Indeed.

Moving Weekend

It's moving weekend.

Today is apartment walk-through day. By walk-through day I mean cleaning day. I've packed my car with cleaning supplies and boxes and am now just waiting for the #Boston thunderstorm to let up before I go.

Tomorrow I pick up the Uhaul and make the final move.

I've been obsessing and making lists for weeks and now that moving weekend is here things are ramping up.

Obsessing:

• Where will I park my car? Will it pass the state inspection?
• I need to get a Brighton parking sticker.
• How do I get to a veterinarian if my cat needs care?
• Don't forget to get the oil changed.
• What if I forget to pay my rent?
• How do I get a wireless internet connection in my apartment?
• How will I pick out clothes when I'm living alone?
• Will it be possible to buy groceries and cat litter without driving?
• Where will I go to fill up my gas tank?
• I need to switch car insurance companies.
• Should I keep my car?
• I need window locks
• I need a chain lock for the door
• What if I lock myself out?
• I need to buy a T-pass.
  

Listing:

• 1 polka-dot shower curtain
• 1 shower curtain liner (clear)
• 1 package of shower curtain rings
• 1 coffeemaker
• 1 iron (the first iron I've ever owned)
• 1 ironing board
• 1 television (when did tv's get so...thin?)
• 1 4-year television warranty
  
• 1 litter box (enclosed)
  
• 1 tub cat litter (scoopable)
  
• 1 desk (used)
• 1 small table (used)
  
• 4 5" bed risers
• 1 bag of pretzels
• 1 jar of spaghetti sauce
  
• 2 boxes of pasta
• 1 can of coffee
• 1 bottle of coffee creamer
• 1 box of soy milk
  
• 4 rolls of toilet paper
• 2 rolls of paper towels