First off, for those of you in suspense, yes Racheal made it out here, and has been here for 8 days or so now, but it wasn't without incident. Her intended arrival on Wednesday (my 2nd-last exam) got pushed to very early Friday (my last exam) thanks to some weather delays in Calgary. While a bit of a drag, we'd already made it 4 months, so another day or two wasn't that daunting. The upside is she got to go to her grad party on Grouse Mountain with her nursing classmates who she hadn't seen in a while, and I got to write Torts and study for Crim with a little less distraction here. She got here to snow on the ground and -15C temperatures, or so, but after a snow storm on Sunday we've been having occasional rain and above-freezing temperatures for the week, so our Christmas here has had scattered piles of white, dwindling remnants of once-proud hills in their own right.
Secondly, it's been a mite busy around here since the end of exams. It seems my standards of neatness and presentability are somewhat below par, so we've spent the last week unpacking her bags, sorting, neatening, tidying, and decorating. Pictures to come later for those of you interested, and we seem to be recovering from all the activity with the help of various TV shows, among them Dollhouse and Band of Brothers. I believe there's a puzzle awaiting assembly in our futures, and some hockey games to watch, including a certain Canucks-Flames matchup. Not to name names, but a certain Christmas guest and classmate of mine has the misfortune of cheering for Calgary, and there will be much talking of the trash variety on facebook chat or MSN as the game goes on.
Thirdly, we learned something about Halifax recently. It turns out, only a few years ago Nova Scotia legalised Sunday shopping. Well, not only that, but local custom is for stores to be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day as well, with Boxing Day shopping happening on the 27th! The roads have been very quiet for a couple days now, and what with Halifax being home to 3 universities, the city's pretty dead over the winter break. Boxing Day shopping may not be too rage-tastic - and we won't be trying to find parking!
Finally, Christmas on our own went pretty well. Christmas Eve we Skyped in to my family's big shindig back West, then called Racheal's family Christmas Day just after putting the turkey in the oven. The turkey, stuffing, fruit salad, and mashed potatoes went well. Actually cutting the bird was more problematic, and the gravy was kind of improvised. We did have my Flames-loving classmate over to help reduce leftovers, and all in all the meal was quite good. Next on the list is enjoying some down time, maybe some Boxing Day shopping, some more TV shows and hockey, then tackling my holiday to-do list before returning to school. It's been a welcome change of pace but sadly I'll be back to the grind sooner than later.
Oh well, that's the way it goes. More later,
A.
27 December 2009
14 December 2009
So Long and Thanks for All the Fish - R
I can hardly believe that this day has finally come . . . the day I say goodbye to BC as my home and trek off to Halifax after my husband. Although we will no longer be apart as of tomorrow . . . the title "From Sea to Sea" remains very appropriate as almost all of our family and friends call the West Coast home. I don't know how I will be able to adjust to East Coast life, but I am looking forward to being with Aaron, meeting new friends and starting my job - oh yeah . . . how did I fail to mention the fact that I am no longer a student?! It is still somewhat surreal and it kind of just feels like Christmas break . . . but there will be no homework to do and a pay cheque when I return to the hospital!
The past few weeks have been pretty hectic, but for the most part lots of fun getting together with friends and family one last time . . . here are some of the photo highlights:
"Wired Monks" with Sandra, Jennifer and Arlette.
Bright Nights at Stanley Park with Gareth and Kit.
Finald day as a nursing student at Burnaby Hospital.
Spending time with the Penrose's up in Prince George (Elena with Richard's cat Sugar Ray).
The past few weeks have been pretty hectic, but for the most part lots of fun getting together with friends and family one last time . . . here are some of the photo highlights:
"Wired Monks" with Sandra, Jennifer and Arlette.
Bright Nights at Stanley Park with Gareth and Kit.
Finald day as a nursing student at Burnaby Hospital.
Hanging out with D'Alice, Erin and Austin at the BLRC Mickey Draw.
The rest of the ladies at the Mickey Draw.
Spending some quality time skiing at Whistler before heading to the mountainless-East Coast.
Some of the rugby ladies hanging out at the cabin in Whistler.
Apres-ski at the GLC in Whistler.
So yeah, it has been a busy few weeks . . . and now I better finish packing before we leave for the airport!
Stay tuned for the next post . . . "Reunited at Last".
Cheers,
Racheal
04 December 2009
One Last Deep Breath - A
Tonight's my last evening of slacking off - the calm between storms. The last few days I've been condensing and re-condensing notes, followed by summarising. Tomorrow begins full-out practise exam writing. I'll be cramming and writing more tests, practise or real, for the next 2 weeks or so. Luckily Racheal's not around for me to neglect too much, although I'm very much looking forward to her arrival. I'll be striving to find a balance of studying/not studying, but for now (like so many of my classmates) it'll be pedal to the floor for the duration. I've almost got my menu planned out (no, it's not 100% pizza - only 85%) and mostly supplied for. I'm running a load of dishes (with plans to do laundry if the stars align), and will try do one last cleaning job before she gets here, but my already minimal life is about to evaporate. So why am I blogging, writing to you fantastic people?
Mainly to wish you all the appropriate seasonal greetings and assure you that despite a lack of contact, I haven't forgotten about you. It's come to my attention it's December already, and people who frequent shopping areas are doing so with gift-giving intent, hearing seasonal music and seeing seasonal decorations. I've yet to witness or experience this in a Halifax setting, as I don't get out much, but with temperatures consistently in the high-single-digits (that's Celsius, Americanos) and occasional rain, it doesn't really feel like Christmas is any kind of imminent - it stunned me to hear we're already in the Advent season. Christmas for me has been all about renewing and celebrating relationships with friends and family - for obvious reasons that won't be so easy to do this year. While I'm very thankful for my Halifax friends, I'm increasingly aware that friends and family are increasingly far-flung. Thankfully, there's this thing called the Internet (it's a series of tubes by which you're able to read this) and it allows for text chat or even video calls. I'm always monitoring facebook, and have a Skype account, so if you want to get a hold of me, just send me a message by email, facebook, or Skype, and we can connect. I'll try even be proactive about it after exams, but don't be afraid to try reach me before then (just be prepared to possibly wait for a response, and one that may not be as long as I'd like to make it). Do keep in mind the 4-hour cross-continental time zone difference though..
Well that's it for me tonight. One last sleep before the mad plunge. Once more unto the breach, dear friends. See you on the other side!
A.
Mainly to wish you all the appropriate seasonal greetings and assure you that despite a lack of contact, I haven't forgotten about you. It's come to my attention it's December already, and people who frequent shopping areas are doing so with gift-giving intent, hearing seasonal music and seeing seasonal decorations. I've yet to witness or experience this in a Halifax setting, as I don't get out much, but with temperatures consistently in the high-single-digits (that's Celsius, Americanos) and occasional rain, it doesn't really feel like Christmas is any kind of imminent - it stunned me to hear we're already in the Advent season. Christmas for me has been all about renewing and celebrating relationships with friends and family - for obvious reasons that won't be so easy to do this year. While I'm very thankful for my Halifax friends, I'm increasingly aware that friends and family are increasingly far-flung. Thankfully, there's this thing called the Internet (it's a series of tubes by which you're able to read this) and it allows for text chat or even video calls. I'm always monitoring facebook, and have a Skype account, so if you want to get a hold of me, just send me a message by email, facebook, or Skype, and we can connect. I'll try even be proactive about it after exams, but don't be afraid to try reach me before then (just be prepared to possibly wait for a response, and one that may not be as long as I'd like to make it). Do keep in mind the 4-hour cross-continental time zone difference though..
Well that's it for me tonight. One last sleep before the mad plunge. Once more unto the breach, dear friends. See you on the other side!
A.
30 November 2009
Chris-mas Time Is Here - A
I'm currently putting off both studying and going to bed. Rather than play a round of online poker, I thought I'd update you on the past few days.
My youngest and biggest brother Chris came out for a visit, doing a road trip from Montreal out to Halifax, staying with me for a few days before jetting off to New York for the rest of his trip. Sure, I cleaned the place up before he got in, but it was nice having a visitor who appreciates the (ahem) relaxed standards of a host who's been living la vida bachelor for the last few months. Sadly, his visit coincided with some very low clouds, heavy humidity, and torrential rain at times, but what he lacked in sightseeing opportunities we made up for with geekiness. Of all the times for my subwoofer to develop issues, I figure waiting for an electrical engineer to arrive has to be one of the best times.
So, after dragging Chris to some classes on Wednesday, he came to the gym with me to watch the dodgeball playoffs. After my team got eliminated, we stayed for the championship games and the entertainment value was immense. One team had 4 players to the others' 1, and that one player caught a ball to make it 3 to 1. He then threw out the next player, then picked a target on the other side, and just kept throwing, missing, collecting his rebound off the wall, and throwing again. His target got tired of near misses, and changed places with his teammate. The guy with a cannon for an arm followed him and threw him out, making it 1 on 1. Sure enough, Mr. Cannon threw out the other player and completed the come from behind in the tie-breaking game to win the championship. Truly an epic end to a night of playoffs with some unique events, including a girl trying to dodge a ball with her face, 3 times! You might think she'd learn after the first 2 times not to do it again, but at least we got a laugh out of it..and she was fine.
We did class again on Thursday, then started exploring local pubs and parks before putting on our Canucks jerseys and watching the game, starting at 11pm and ending at 2am (although I went to bed at 1) - Friday was a sleep-in day for both of us (yay for no classes!). Thursday night we also did a steak and lobster dinner, to properly welcome him to Halifax. We visited Point Pleasant Park and Sir Sanford Fleming Park, Pier 21, and Jentronics electronic supply store (for subwoofer parts). Just the right combination of geekery and touristiness.
Far be it from me to forget to acknowledge the early Christmas present he brought, from Chris and Ben & Julia - an HP netbook! This little beauty will very much save my sanity in Public class, save me the hassle of typing up my handwritten notes, and make it easier to study outside the house. I've been looking forward to something like this happening for about a month now, and to have it arrive before finals is huge. Thanks again guys!
Sadly Chris had to jet before I could show him the Farmer's Market or other touristy things to do here, but we did get to the Gardens, Citadel and the boardwalk as well before the rain arrived. It was wonderful having family out here for a change and I look forward to the next visitor to my adopted city, hopefully arriving when I have adequate time to devote, when the weather's more hospitable, and without rushed travel plans. For a city with so much character and so many pubs, it's a shame not to be able to explore it more fully.
Now, last time I promised better pictures of the torch, so here's some of Rohan's pictures and some from the Great Halifax Brother Visit of 2009. Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
A.
Kid Crosby and the torch
The wonders of a great camera..
Us on a grey day at Point Pleasant Park - there's actually a busy port and whole 'nother part of the city behind us..
He's got his jersey and his Tim's, it's game time!
To everyone not named "Racheal" - of course the place always looks like this!
(To Racheal - don't let this get your hopes too high come exam time..)
My youngest and biggest brother Chris came out for a visit, doing a road trip from Montreal out to Halifax, staying with me for a few days before jetting off to New York for the rest of his trip. Sure, I cleaned the place up before he got in, but it was nice having a visitor who appreciates the (ahem) relaxed standards of a host who's been living la vida bachelor for the last few months. Sadly, his visit coincided with some very low clouds, heavy humidity, and torrential rain at times, but what he lacked in sightseeing opportunities we made up for with geekiness. Of all the times for my subwoofer to develop issues, I figure waiting for an electrical engineer to arrive has to be one of the best times.
So, after dragging Chris to some classes on Wednesday, he came to the gym with me to watch the dodgeball playoffs. After my team got eliminated, we stayed for the championship games and the entertainment value was immense. One team had 4 players to the others' 1, and that one player caught a ball to make it 3 to 1. He then threw out the next player, then picked a target on the other side, and just kept throwing, missing, collecting his rebound off the wall, and throwing again. His target got tired of near misses, and changed places with his teammate. The guy with a cannon for an arm followed him and threw him out, making it 1 on 1. Sure enough, Mr. Cannon threw out the other player and completed the come from behind in the tie-breaking game to win the championship. Truly an epic end to a night of playoffs with some unique events, including a girl trying to dodge a ball with her face, 3 times! You might think she'd learn after the first 2 times not to do it again, but at least we got a laugh out of it..and she was fine.
We did class again on Thursday, then started exploring local pubs and parks before putting on our Canucks jerseys and watching the game, starting at 11pm and ending at 2am (although I went to bed at 1) - Friday was a sleep-in day for both of us (yay for no classes!). Thursday night we also did a steak and lobster dinner, to properly welcome him to Halifax. We visited Point Pleasant Park and Sir Sanford Fleming Park, Pier 21, and Jentronics electronic supply store (for subwoofer parts). Just the right combination of geekery and touristiness.
Far be it from me to forget to acknowledge the early Christmas present he brought, from Chris and Ben & Julia - an HP netbook! This little beauty will very much save my sanity in Public class, save me the hassle of typing up my handwritten notes, and make it easier to study outside the house. I've been looking forward to something like this happening for about a month now, and to have it arrive before finals is huge. Thanks again guys!
Sadly Chris had to jet before I could show him the Farmer's Market or other touristy things to do here, but we did get to the Gardens, Citadel and the boardwalk as well before the rain arrived. It was wonderful having family out here for a change and I look forward to the next visitor to my adopted city, hopefully arriving when I have adequate time to devote, when the weather's more hospitable, and without rushed travel plans. For a city with so much character and so many pubs, it's a shame not to be able to explore it more fully.
Now, last time I promised better pictures of the torch, so here's some of Rohan's pictures and some from the Great Halifax Brother Visit of 2009. Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
A.
Kid Crosby and the torch
The wonders of a great camera..
Us on a grey day at Point Pleasant Park - there's actually a busy port and whole 'nother part of the city behind us..
He's got his jersey and his Tim's, it's game time!
To everyone not named "Racheal" - of course the place always looks like this!
(To Racheal - don't let this get your hopes too high come exam time..)
18 November 2009
It's Here! - A
Who has thick glasses, a Canada toque, and got to see Sidney Crosby carry the Olympic torch mere metres away?
This guy!
(What, can't you tell that's my excited/happy face?)
I got to take some time to get outside today to watch the Olympic torch relay pass through town. And by through town, I mean, a stone's throw from the law building, right in front of the Children's Hospital, then again on the main shopping street (Spring Garden) and again in front of the Citadel. It was quite the procession - sponsor trucks and police to clear the road, some hype vehicles with drums and dancers (but no mascots), then a press vehicle with some camera guy looking out the back to film the whole thing, with assorted police and escorts for the torchbearer. The torchbearer only went a couple hundred metres before handing off to the next person - and apparently handing off meant touching his torch to the next person's to pass on the flame.
A few of us (Alison, Bryan, Shannon & I) trailed it for part of the way before breaking for pizza, then met up with other 1Ls on Citadel Hill to watch Sidney run it. The crowd was thickest at the end of the day's route, where Sidney would be the 2nd-last carrier. The guy had more security than the Prime Minister, in the form of 8 Olypmic escorts and a bunch of motorbike and foot cops. Never mind an army of press cameras to catch every step of the way. The crowd was excited everywhere - it's clearly Canada's Olympics now, and everyone's hyped. Not a protester to be found, and the police were quick, courteous, and efficient in keeping things safe and clear. One of them, stopping traffic after the torch went by, reminded us of the Christmas Parade this weekend. Oy. Christmas. Yeah, Racheal? I know you've got some unpacking to do when you get here, would you mind seeing to decorations as well? I'm going to be...preoccupied.
Anyway, we got to Citadel Hill, having found out where Sidney would be running his route. Then we found out he was actually standing in the crowd at the next intersection down, and the race was on to get a good vantage point for him to receive the flame from a kid in a wheelchair. I got lots of pictures, a few of them good, but some of my classmates had much better equipment and got spectacular closeups with their lenses. But the atmosphere was electric, I tried to concentrate on photographs but it was just infectious, like in Vancouver at playoff time. When Sidney finally got the flame and started his run the ovation was incredible. And I was just up the hill, running along, trying not to break my ankle and not mess up all my shots. Closest I got to him? Probably 5 or 6 metres at the intersection. But on the whole, so totally worth it. The route ended at the Barrington Grand Parade, where the cenotaph still had the Remembrance wreaths on it, and a big crowd and party atmosphere. If this excitement is anything like what's coming to Metro Vancouver in a couple months, brace yourselves people, it'll be nothing you've ever seen.
(I told you, it was hard to get great shots - the Kid felt like jogging so it was a challenge. If I get copies of the other guys' shots I'll put some up.)
I'd better head off to dodgeball now, and start drafting a script for Pith & Substance before the Christmas Parade - all of a sudden it sounds like I have a life! Believe me, I don't.
Back to the grindstone,
A.
This guy!
(What, can't you tell that's my excited/happy face?)
I got to take some time to get outside today to watch the Olympic torch relay pass through town. And by through town, I mean, a stone's throw from the law building, right in front of the Children's Hospital, then again on the main shopping street (Spring Garden) and again in front of the Citadel. It was quite the procession - sponsor trucks and police to clear the road, some hype vehicles with drums and dancers (but no mascots), then a press vehicle with some camera guy looking out the back to film the whole thing, with assorted police and escorts for the torchbearer. The torchbearer only went a couple hundred metres before handing off to the next person - and apparently handing off meant touching his torch to the next person's to pass on the flame.
A few of us (Alison, Bryan, Shannon & I) trailed it for part of the way before breaking for pizza, then met up with other 1Ls on Citadel Hill to watch Sidney run it. The crowd was thickest at the end of the day's route, where Sidney would be the 2nd-last carrier. The guy had more security than the Prime Minister, in the form of 8 Olypmic escorts and a bunch of motorbike and foot cops. Never mind an army of press cameras to catch every step of the way. The crowd was excited everywhere - it's clearly Canada's Olympics now, and everyone's hyped. Not a protester to be found, and the police were quick, courteous, and efficient in keeping things safe and clear. One of them, stopping traffic after the torch went by, reminded us of the Christmas Parade this weekend. Oy. Christmas. Yeah, Racheal? I know you've got some unpacking to do when you get here, would you mind seeing to decorations as well? I'm going to be...preoccupied.
Anyway, we got to Citadel Hill, having found out where Sidney would be running his route. Then we found out he was actually standing in the crowd at the next intersection down, and the race was on to get a good vantage point for him to receive the flame from a kid in a wheelchair. I got lots of pictures, a few of them good, but some of my classmates had much better equipment and got spectacular closeups with their lenses. But the atmosphere was electric, I tried to concentrate on photographs but it was just infectious, like in Vancouver at playoff time. When Sidney finally got the flame and started his run the ovation was incredible. And I was just up the hill, running along, trying not to break my ankle and not mess up all my shots. Closest I got to him? Probably 5 or 6 metres at the intersection. But on the whole, so totally worth it. The route ended at the Barrington Grand Parade, where the cenotaph still had the Remembrance wreaths on it, and a big crowd and party atmosphere. If this excitement is anything like what's coming to Metro Vancouver in a couple months, brace yourselves people, it'll be nothing you've ever seen.
(I told you, it was hard to get great shots - the Kid felt like jogging so it was a challenge. If I get copies of the other guys' shots I'll put some up.)
I'd better head off to dodgeball now, and start drafting a script for Pith & Substance before the Christmas Parade - all of a sudden it sounds like I have a life! Believe me, I don't.
Back to the grindstone,
A.
14 November 2009
The Egg in Challenger Deep - A
Those last 2 posts and lessons in counting (us law-talking-types aren't so good with numbers) are brought to you by my better half and long-absent wife, Racheal. Remember her, from the beginning of this blog? Give her a hand, she's back and gearing up for some major excitement. Halifax is waiting, dear. Show them what you've got!
Back in my world as a law student, this has been an interesting week. Wednesday was Remembrance Day, which was awesome for a couple reasons. First, Alison and I went to the ceremony at the Grand Parade (see picture below). That meant honouring our veterans and getting some face time with one of my closest Halifax friends, which was great. It was a cool day but not frigid, and unlike last year in Vancouver, not pouring rain for 6 hours straight. Also unlike Vancouver, the crowd was invited/allowed to lay their poppies at the cenotaph - somewhat suitably, mine wound up in an accessible wreath (see other picture below). It also meant no class that day, which greatly lightened the readings I had to do for the week. I've been putting off condensing all my sundry notes into the bare essentials in advance of exam time, but am trying to do so this weekend - with the extra time that not reading supposedly gives me. Wednesday was also rough because I had no motivation, a silent house all to myself, and was tied to the computer with no Racheal. That's when it hit me that it's been 3 months apart and things got a bit difficult. So far I've managed the pressure of law school on my own all right (hence the titular riddle - use the Google if you must), but I've never had to be this independent before and I've apparently got a few adjustments I need to do. Thankfully Alison provided some perspective and got me laughing and I was not only re-balanced but able to type up more notes.
I've come to re-evaluate my methods, of doing all my work on the computer at home after taking notes by hand in class. In the interest of being more social and efficient, I'm going to start doing more work in the library or student lounge. Ideally, I'll get my hands on a laptop (or netbook?) soon and will be able to take notes digitally and save myself the time of transcribing them, leaving me more room to get out of the cave here and enjoy Halifax and my classmates (added bonus - this'll give me more time at home able to pay attention to Racheal rather than hide from her). I've been pushing too hard on academic matters and have let my sense of balance deteriorate a little too much, especially in advance of December exams.
I also took advantage of the chance to go learn squash with Scott and Angela - fun but ow. My arm is a lot heavier now! And not just heavier, but slower to type and a lot less legible, if you can imagine that. Friday night was also a trivia competition with the Dal Engineers - sorry Chris, but they were talking smack and needed to be taken down a peg or ten. In fairness, though, it's not like they had nearly as many girls on their teams. You'd think such practical types would be better at organising a timely, efficient, and fair competition, but that seemed to be beyond them. Due to the structure of the event we law students don't consider the determination of winner/loser to be any sort of binding, and are either going to lodge protests or better yet, host a rematch on our turf and our terms. Suffice it to say the law students were well-represented and possessed on the whole a better-rounded knowledge of the trivia topics than the engineers.
Much as I'd love to write more, I've already taken up enough of your time and still have much more condensing to do - or, failing that, getting the house ready for Chris' visit and Racheal's eventual arrival. Or, failing both, putting on a hockey game or something and doing more readings. Such is the life of a law student I guess, the fun never ends!
Cheers,
A.
Those last 2 posts and lessons in counting (us law-talking-types aren't so good with numbers) are brought to you by my better half and long-absent wife, Racheal. Remember her, from the beginning of this blog? Give her a hand, she's back and gearing up for some major excitement. Halifax is waiting, dear. Show them what you've got!
Back in my world as a law student, this has been an interesting week. Wednesday was Remembrance Day, which was awesome for a couple reasons. First, Alison and I went to the ceremony at the Grand Parade (see picture below). That meant honouring our veterans and getting some face time with one of my closest Halifax friends, which was great. It was a cool day but not frigid, and unlike last year in Vancouver, not pouring rain for 6 hours straight. Also unlike Vancouver, the crowd was invited/allowed to lay their poppies at the cenotaph - somewhat suitably, mine wound up in an accessible wreath (see other picture below). It also meant no class that day, which greatly lightened the readings I had to do for the week. I've been putting off condensing all my sundry notes into the bare essentials in advance of exam time, but am trying to do so this weekend - with the extra time that not reading supposedly gives me. Wednesday was also rough because I had no motivation, a silent house all to myself, and was tied to the computer with no Racheal. That's when it hit me that it's been 3 months apart and things got a bit difficult. So far I've managed the pressure of law school on my own all right (hence the titular riddle - use the Google if you must), but I've never had to be this independent before and I've apparently got a few adjustments I need to do. Thankfully Alison provided some perspective and got me laughing and I was not only re-balanced but able to type up more notes.
I've come to re-evaluate my methods, of doing all my work on the computer at home after taking notes by hand in class. In the interest of being more social and efficient, I'm going to start doing more work in the library or student lounge. Ideally, I'll get my hands on a laptop (or netbook?) soon and will be able to take notes digitally and save myself the time of transcribing them, leaving me more room to get out of the cave here and enjoy Halifax and my classmates (added bonus - this'll give me more time at home able to pay attention to Racheal rather than hide from her). I've been pushing too hard on academic matters and have let my sense of balance deteriorate a little too much, especially in advance of December exams.
I also took advantage of the chance to go learn squash with Scott and Angela - fun but ow. My arm is a lot heavier now! And not just heavier, but slower to type and a lot less legible, if you can imagine that. Friday night was also a trivia competition with the Dal Engineers - sorry Chris, but they were talking smack and needed to be taken down a peg or ten. In fairness, though, it's not like they had nearly as many girls on their teams. You'd think such practical types would be better at organising a timely, efficient, and fair competition, but that seemed to be beyond them. Due to the structure of the event we law students don't consider the determination of winner/loser to be any sort of binding, and are either going to lodge protests or better yet, host a rematch on our turf and our terms. Suffice it to say the law students were well-represented and possessed on the whole a better-rounded knowledge of the trivia topics than the engineers.
Much as I'd love to write more, I've already taken up enough of your time and still have much more condensing to do - or, failing that, getting the house ready for Chris' visit and Racheal's eventual arrival. Or, failing both, putting on a hockey game or something and doing more readings. Such is the life of a law student I guess, the fun never ends!
Cheers,
A.
09 November 2009
Fast Forward . . . The Final Countdown - R
Now that you have some idea of what the past few months have held for me, here is a glance at what the next few will look like:
41 - days until I start my new job as an RN at the Halifax Infirmary on 4.1 - their Vascular/General Surgery and IMCU ward. It sounds like it will be a good fit, maybe not my ideal position (that would have been at IWK in Paediatric Emergency) but definitely a good start. The ward apparently sees a lot of the trauma patients from the ER after they have left the OR and is a step-down from the ICU/CCU. Similar to what I have been doing at VGH on their Acute Medicine Unit but more surgical than medical patients. The biggest plus (outside the fact that it is in Halifax) will be my 15 minute commute . . . walking that is! Sure beats 45min-1h15min at VGH!
35 - days until I leave for Halifax (5 weeks, or 1.25 months) and can settle in to our apartment and finish the unpacking that Aaron has not yet had time to do!
29 - days until the end of my nursing program at BCIT . . . it has been 3 years and 3 months since I started and finally the end is in sight!
14 - more 12h shifts in the Emergency Department at Burnaby Hospital - I have been enjoying it immensely, and am thankful for a wonderful preceptor who is helping me with my independent practice and supporting me as I learn the ER ropes! However, I will say that the H1N1 pandemic has really been a frustration . . . seriously people it is JUST the flu . . . stay home unless you can't control your temperature with Acetaminophen or are having difficulty breathing!
3 - more journals . . . and then I plan on never writing anything more about self-reflection, vision, leadership or critical thinking . . . ever again!
2 - more evaluations (midterm and final) for my preceptorship . . . then I hope to never again look at the CRNBC practice standards in so great detail.
1 - final group presentation and then I will leave PowerPoint presentations to those who choose beautiful pictures, cheery music and inspirational messages . . .
So yes, I am almost done with schooling (at least for now) after 26 years of being at the mercy of a teacher/professor/instructor's schedule and subjective marking (because it is always subjective even when it tries to be objective). Soon I will become even more familiar with the pros and cons of self-scheduling and shift work . . . but at least they will be paying me rather than the other way around. So here's to reuniting with loved ones, making new friends and getting back in the BLACK (red as a colour is highly overrated . . .)!
Racheal
41 - days until I start my new job as an RN at the Halifax Infirmary on 4.1 - their Vascular/General Surgery and IMCU ward. It sounds like it will be a good fit, maybe not my ideal position (that would have been at IWK in Paediatric Emergency) but definitely a good start. The ward apparently sees a lot of the trauma patients from the ER after they have left the OR and is a step-down from the ICU/CCU. Similar to what I have been doing at VGH on their Acute Medicine Unit but more surgical than medical patients. The biggest plus (outside the fact that it is in Halifax) will be my 15 minute commute . . . walking that is! Sure beats 45min-1h15min at VGH!
35 - days until I leave for Halifax (5 weeks, or 1.25 months) and can settle in to our apartment and finish the unpacking that Aaron has not yet had time to do!
29 - days until the end of my nursing program at BCIT . . . it has been 3 years and 3 months since I started and finally the end is in sight!
14 - more 12h shifts in the Emergency Department at Burnaby Hospital - I have been enjoying it immensely, and am thankful for a wonderful preceptor who is helping me with my independent practice and supporting me as I learn the ER ropes! However, I will say that the H1N1 pandemic has really been a frustration . . . seriously people it is JUST the flu . . . stay home unless you can't control your temperature with Acetaminophen or are having difficulty breathing!
3 - more journals . . . and then I plan on never writing anything more about self-reflection, vision, leadership or critical thinking . . . ever again!
2 - more evaluations (midterm and final) for my preceptorship . . . then I hope to never again look at the CRNBC practice standards in so great detail.
1 - final group presentation and then I will leave PowerPoint presentations to those who choose beautiful pictures, cheery music and inspirational messages . . .
So yes, I am almost done with schooling (at least for now) after 26 years of being at the mercy of a teacher/professor/instructor's schedule and subjective marking (because it is always subjective even when it tries to be objective). Soon I will become even more familiar with the pros and cons of self-scheduling and shift work . . . but at least they will be paying me rather than the other way around. So here's to reuniting with loved ones, making new friends and getting back in the BLACK (red as a colour is highly overrated . . .)!Racheal
Looking Back - R
As you may have noticed, I have not been a very prolific blogger for the past few months . . . not because I have been procrastinating as you may have thought . . . more because my life has been a series of not-so-interesting events and I have not wanted to bore you all. However, I think it may be fitting now, to take a quick look back at what exactly I have been up to . . . so here goes:
10 - the number of job/position applications I have sent out to recruiters and hospitals in Halifax which has led me to diagnose myself with some sort of ulnar nerve palsy
9 - the number of Saturday mornings I have spent on the side of the rugby pitch ensuring that the Burnaby Lake Premier women are in peak form to trounce their opponents and I am on hand to deal with injuries as they occur
8 - the unforgiving number of weeks I spent in my Public Health practicum attempting to look busy despite a lack of actual nursing work to do
7 - the final number of shifts I completed at VGH on the Acute Medicine Unit - all-in-all a great experience, wonderful staff and a wide variety of acute-chronic patients
6 - the actual number of terms (levels) I have completed thus far in my Nursing Degree since Level 1 way back in August 2006 - it has gone by pretty quickly and I have learned a lot . . . but I am so ready to be done!
5 - the number of wonderful days that I spent in early October at the Easter Seals Camp in Brackendale with the kids from Canuck Place Children's Hospice
4 - the number of Martens' kids (minus Aaron in Halifax) that made it home to Langley for Thanksgiving dinner . . . however thanks to Skype Aaron was able to join in on the festivities and conversation and thanks to Julia's prowess with a camera he even made it into the family photo!
3 - the number of times I have been able to make it out to watch my younger sister play volleyball in the Lower Mainland and have been able to spend some time with the Penrose family!
2 - well actually 2.5 - the number of months I have spent away from my husband and best friend . . .
1 - well again it's really 1.5 - the number of months to go before I return to Halifax and Aaron and I are reunited at long last
So that's what I have been up to . . . not exactly David Letterman's top 10 but it will have to do for now.
Racheal
10 - the number of job/position applications I have sent out to recruiters and hospitals in Halifax which has led me to diagnose myself with some sort of ulnar nerve palsy
9 - the number of Saturday mornings I have spent on the side of the rugby pitch ensuring that the Burnaby Lake Premier women are in peak form to trounce their opponents and I am on hand to deal with injuries as they occur
8 - the unforgiving number of weeks I spent in my Public Health practicum attempting to look busy despite a lack of actual nursing work to do
7 - the final number of shifts I completed at VGH on the Acute Medicine Unit - all-in-all a great experience, wonderful staff and a wide variety of acute-chronic patients
6 - the actual number of terms (levels) I have completed thus far in my Nursing Degree since Level 1 way back in August 2006 - it has gone by pretty quickly and I have learned a lot . . . but I am so ready to be done!
5 - the number of wonderful days that I spent in early October at the Easter Seals Camp in Brackendale with the kids from Canuck Place Children's Hospice
4 - the number of Martens' kids (minus Aaron in Halifax) that made it home to Langley for Thanksgiving dinner . . . however thanks to Skype Aaron was able to join in on the festivities and conversation and thanks to Julia's prowess with a camera he even made it into the family photo!
3 - the number of times I have been able to make it out to watch my younger sister play volleyball in the Lower Mainland and have been able to spend some time with the Penrose family!
2 - well actually 2.5 - the number of months I have spent away from my husband and best friend . . .
1 - well again it's really 1.5 - the number of months to go before I return to Halifax and Aaron and I are reunited at long last
So that's what I have been up to . . . not exactly David Letterman's top 10 but it will have to do for now.
Racheal
22 October 2009
Awesomeness - A
There have been multiple causes for celebration in my humble abode lately. First and foremost, OTL is done! It got a bit dicey at the end, but there are officially no more lectures! There's just an oral interview examination on a pass/fail basis for me on Tuesday for which I plan to skim my notes andeditorialise demonstrate critical thinking and an active intellectual engagement in the whole of the course. Easy-peasy, especially compared to what's coming up in December. Ugh. (shudder) Best not think about that now. But yay for OTL's demise! That's 1.5 fewer hours in class on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! Things will be very manageable in comparison come this time next week.
Second cause for rejoicing - I've been able to keep up with my Canucks thanks to various means of watching games or highlights online! Props go out to CBC for putting the entire year of Hockey Night In Canada available online, free for Canadian viewers, at http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeynightincanada/idesk/ - decent quality, too! Now if only there was a way to reduce the impact of a 4-hour time zone spread.
Third - I got to go to court again today, this time as part of a Criminal Law class field trip. Sweet. This was provincial court, so mainly cases tried by summary conviction (that's misdemeanor-level for you Americanis out there), in front of a judge alone. Given the high volume of cases to be heard the setup was quite different. First, the judge was the only one in robes, and yes, he was a judge, not a justice. Therefore, it was "your honour" this and "the court" that from all parties. Second, the judge was the only one in robes, while the lawyers wore different kinds of business wear. The judicial robes included the usual white tabs but had a thick vertical red stripe running over each shoulder. Third, this courtroom (pictured below) had a lot of character to it. The building's quite old and what you can't make out in the window is a stained-glass image of a woman holding a sword and scales. Courtroom etiquette has the lawyers bow towards the judge when entering or leaving the room, and given the number of cases and the quick rate they were dealt with, there was a good rate of people entering and leaving the courtroom as court was in session. Mainly there were either plea bargains or trial scheduling taking place, so the judge either heard agreed facts and recommended sentences, before passing sentence, or flipped pages in a calendar to schedule trial dates. Busy guy. So, in front of the fancy window was the judge, then in front of him was the court reporter/clerk, who not only transcribed but also handled docket information. There was a witness box beside the judge that didn't see use today, and no jury box in this room since the cases being heard were in front of a judge alone. In front of the clerk were 2 long tables, one in front of the other, for the lawyers. Facing the front, in the front table on the right-hand side, was a Crown lawyer (prosecutor) with a fat box of case files, and defence lawyers filed in and out of the other seats. To their left was a bench against the wall for the accused, with a burly sheriff keeping things under a careful eye, then behind the lawyer tables were 3 rows of hard benches for the public, witnesses, or accused waiting their turns to be heard. After the hearing the morning's cases the judge stayed around and answered some questions from our class before going for lunch - apparently they overbook each day to hear cases because many of them either settle on the courthouse steps or need to be rescheduled - this leaves time to hear trial cases in the afternoon and reduces the backlog so that people get their day in court sooner. The judge used to be a Crown prosecutor, and had a few words about the difference in perspectives. The room itself was old with dark exposed beams instead of a ceiling, and a high-vaulted roof above them. This room had almost a religious feeling to it, what with lawyers bowing and the stained glass window watching over the proceedings. Sadly, the picture snuck on my phone during a brief recess doesn't do the place justice, but it's the best I could get.
Let's see, other awesomeness? Nothing formal left on today's schedule, a 2-hour training session tomorrow, and copious free time this weekend to read, type up notes, and watch movies and sports while doing so! Section C really does have a great schedule this semester! Perfect for staying on top of readings, anyway.
Of course, there's nothing quite as awesome (and fear-inducing) as the prospect of being into the second half of my time apart from Racheal. It'll be great having her around for so many reasons, but I'll have to really clean up my act (and the house) closer to her arrival. And bribe Scott to bury the incriminating stories. This could be a challenge...I fear I may have said too much already.
Well, I'm off to hand in an assignment and enjoy the cool fall air on this wonderfully cloudy day. I may come back with some pictures, you never know. In the meantime, here's the gist of the courtroom, from my back row vantage point, to tide you over till next time:
Cheers,
A.
There have been multiple causes for celebration in my humble abode lately. First and foremost, OTL is done! It got a bit dicey at the end, but there are officially no more lectures! There's just an oral interview examination on a pass/fail basis for me on Tuesday for which I plan to skim my notes and
Second cause for rejoicing - I've been able to keep up with my Canucks thanks to various means of watching games or highlights online! Props go out to CBC for putting the entire year of Hockey Night In Canada available online, free for Canadian viewers, at http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeynightincanada/idesk/ - decent quality, too! Now if only there was a way to reduce the impact of a 4-hour time zone spread.
Third - I got to go to court again today, this time as part of a Criminal Law class field trip. Sweet. This was provincial court, so mainly cases tried by summary conviction (that's misdemeanor-level for you Americanis out there), in front of a judge alone. Given the high volume of cases to be heard the setup was quite different. First, the judge was the only one in robes, and yes, he was a judge, not a justice. Therefore, it was "your honour" this and "the court" that from all parties. Second, the judge was the only one in robes, while the lawyers wore different kinds of business wear. The judicial robes included the usual white tabs but had a thick vertical red stripe running over each shoulder. Third, this courtroom (pictured below) had a lot of character to it. The building's quite old and what you can't make out in the window is a stained-glass image of a woman holding a sword and scales. Courtroom etiquette has the lawyers bow towards the judge when entering or leaving the room, and given the number of cases and the quick rate they were dealt with, there was a good rate of people entering and leaving the courtroom as court was in session. Mainly there were either plea bargains or trial scheduling taking place, so the judge either heard agreed facts and recommended sentences, before passing sentence, or flipped pages in a calendar to schedule trial dates. Busy guy. So, in front of the fancy window was the judge, then in front of him was the court reporter/clerk, who not only transcribed but also handled docket information. There was a witness box beside the judge that didn't see use today, and no jury box in this room since the cases being heard were in front of a judge alone. In front of the clerk were 2 long tables, one in front of the other, for the lawyers. Facing the front, in the front table on the right-hand side, was a Crown lawyer (prosecutor) with a fat box of case files, and defence lawyers filed in and out of the other seats. To their left was a bench against the wall for the accused, with a burly sheriff keeping things under a careful eye, then behind the lawyer tables were 3 rows of hard benches for the public, witnesses, or accused waiting their turns to be heard. After the hearing the morning's cases the judge stayed around and answered some questions from our class before going for lunch - apparently they overbook each day to hear cases because many of them either settle on the courthouse steps or need to be rescheduled - this leaves time to hear trial cases in the afternoon and reduces the backlog so that people get their day in court sooner. The judge used to be a Crown prosecutor, and had a few words about the difference in perspectives. The room itself was old with dark exposed beams instead of a ceiling, and a high-vaulted roof above them. This room had almost a religious feeling to it, what with lawyers bowing and the stained glass window watching over the proceedings. Sadly, the picture snuck on my phone during a brief recess doesn't do the place justice, but it's the best I could get.
Let's see, other awesomeness? Nothing formal left on today's schedule, a 2-hour training session tomorrow, and copious free time this weekend to read, type up notes, and watch movies and sports while doing so! Section C really does have a great schedule this semester! Perfect for staying on top of readings, anyway.
Of course, there's nothing quite as awesome (and fear-inducing) as the prospect of being into the second half of my time apart from Racheal. It'll be great having her around for so many reasons, but I'll have to really clean up my act (and the house) closer to her arrival. And bribe Scott to bury the incriminating stories. This could be a challenge...I fear I may have said too much already.
Well, I'm off to hand in an assignment and enjoy the cool fall air on this wonderfully cloudy day. I may come back with some pictures, you never know. In the meantime, here's the gist of the courtroom, from my back row vantage point, to tide you over till next time:
Cheers,
A.
13 October 2009
Everybody in the room gets a Purple Heart! - A
In keeping with the time-honoured tradition of interdisciplinary courses being agonisingly tedious, OTL reached a new height today. And by height, I mean in the Celebrity Jeopardy sense of "and the game has reached a new low." And by tedious, I mean being forced to watch TV, where your only options are detailed Constitutional negotiation coverage and debates in French, with added taxation policy for fun, or a panel discussion on the aesthetic values of silence and the legal ramifications of prior art and its implications for copyrighted performances of silence (don't laugh - this is a real issue. I'm not laughing!). And by agonising, I mean in a similar vein as being a Leafs fan, only with less actual satisfaction in life.
I don't know how much more of this I can take - isn't Canada a signatory to some treaty ban on torture? Isn't cruel and unusual punishment forbidden by section 12 of the Charter? (yes it is - expect a class action launched by my peers shortly)
Here's a sampling of facebook status updates (retrieved after the class) issued during the lecture:
"Sweet God almighty I have never felt such a numbing of my mental faculties. If you asked me right now I would say bring on climate change so we can be done with this!"
and
"[redacted] now hates the environment on principle..."
I know I saw way too many smiles for this lecture going around the room. This would be exhibit A in how laptops can preserve sanity in the most adverse classroom conditions. Up until today, my resolve was firm that I'd not bring a laptop to class ever, or get even a micro netbook just for the basics. Right now, that resolve would hold about as much water as a paper g-string, or more pertinently to today's experience, is about as firm as the oil & gas industry's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. Which, if you haven't gathered by now, relates closely to today's interdisciplinary OTL lecture on law + the sciences, with a 75-minute lecture on the international history and procedures of climate change assessment and commitments for change. If I were attending such a lecture as say part of my job, where my attention was incentivised financially, I might consider not calling in sick or going back to bed. But this one? Oh boy was that painful! To think I went deeper into debt for something that irrelevant? (featuring a raft of scientific inaccuracies too - thanks Scott!) Now my forehead vein is throbbing and I'm getting a headache! And I only got 3 hours of sleep last night! When the prof asked for questions at the end of the lecture, my mind was reeling with the emphatic, collective psychic "don't you even $#%*^$@! think about it!" There was one guy who missed that memo, but thankfully he only asked one question before class adjourned. It must have had to do with the 120 simultaneous dirty looks he got. There were a bunch of empty chairs for that lecture - had we known it would have been that bad, I think we'd have delegated attendance to the one OTL keener and just found a pub somewhere to wait it out. I'd go into further detail, but I'll leave that to the classmates who actually drink to roll out their colourful criticisms at Domus this week.
In summary, and cutting out the colourful post-lecture litany of complaints, OTL is on notice. Either it goes, or it goes. Otherwise a new question will arise: "To stab or to stab? - that is the question, because not stabbing is not an option!"
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a shopping list to make and a nice walk in the cold rain to look forward to. There'd better be a hockey game on somewhere tonight..
I don't know how much more of this I can take - isn't Canada a signatory to some treaty ban on torture? Isn't cruel and unusual punishment forbidden by section 12 of the Charter? (yes it is - expect a class action launched by my peers shortly)
Here's a sampling of facebook status updates (retrieved after the class) issued during the lecture:
"Sweet God almighty I have never felt such a numbing of my mental faculties. If you asked me right now I would say bring on climate change so we can be done with this!"
and
"[redacted] now hates the environment on principle..."
I know I saw way too many smiles for this lecture going around the room. This would be exhibit A in how laptops can preserve sanity in the most adverse classroom conditions. Up until today, my resolve was firm that I'd not bring a laptop to class ever, or get even a micro netbook just for the basics. Right now, that resolve would hold about as much water as a paper g-string, or more pertinently to today's experience, is about as firm as the oil & gas industry's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. Which, if you haven't gathered by now, relates closely to today's interdisciplinary OTL lecture on law + the sciences, with a 75-minute lecture on the international history and procedures of climate change assessment and commitments for change. If I were attending such a lecture as say part of my job, where my attention was incentivised financially, I might consider not calling in sick or going back to bed. But this one? Oh boy was that painful! To think I went deeper into debt for something that irrelevant? (featuring a raft of scientific inaccuracies too - thanks Scott!) Now my forehead vein is throbbing and I'm getting a headache! And I only got 3 hours of sleep last night! When the prof asked for questions at the end of the lecture, my mind was reeling with the emphatic, collective psychic "don't you even $#%*^$@! think about it!" There was one guy who missed that memo, but thankfully he only asked one question before class adjourned. It must have had to do with the 120 simultaneous dirty looks he got. There were a bunch of empty chairs for that lecture - had we known it would have been that bad, I think we'd have delegated attendance to the one OTL keener and just found a pub somewhere to wait it out. I'd go into further detail, but I'll leave that to the classmates who actually drink to roll out their colourful criticisms at Domus this week.
In summary, and cutting out the colourful post-lecture litany of complaints, OTL is on notice. Either it goes, or it goes. Otherwise a new question will arise: "To stab or to stab? - that is the question, because not stabbing is not an option!"
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a shopping list to make and a nice walk in the cold rain to look forward to. There'd better be a hockey game on somewhere tonight..
10 October 2009
Unwinding - A
So by now you've been exhaustively updated of the exciting happenings within law school. For most of you, that's an incomprehensible alien world, so, to prove that I still have some semblance of a "life," here's a more relaxed post featuring a brief return of the sadly-neglected series "Halifax in 5 Senses."
Let's start with the senses, then move on to "fun," shall we?
Sight: many more clouds and colourful leaves, although there's still a lot of green on the trees. I'm hoping for an explosion of colour to catch with my camera to give you something to look at.
Sound: car tires on wet pavement more often; the powerful, low horns of cruise ships at the dock; periodic sirens and engine brakes of firetrucks; a very faint, high-pitched, intermittent beeping from an undetermined neighbour that will be investigated when it's adequately annoying.
Taste: a passable variety of bachelor cooking. I've got to keep my kitchen skills fresh for when my chief fan/critic arrives!
Touch: the air is still damp but more cooler now. After walking to school I'm not as often ready to melt once stepping inside the building.
Smell: still absent. If you find the slacker let me know, ok?
Moving on - there's a long weekend happening and apparently it predates my series of orbits around the sun. It commemorates the otherwise sadly latent expression of gratitude. Without going into too much detail, I'm thankful for the following (in no particular order, and notwithstanding absent family and friends): good classmates; good teachers (more on them in a moment); a tolerable but challenging workload; the end of OTL in a matter of weeks freeing up my schedule; a convenient and pleasant apartment; and law school.
Obviously I have no way of knowing exactly how unique Dalhousie is short of what they tell me (it's apparently quite special!) - but I'm both grateful and somewhat confused by the fact that I got in. There are professors who are members of the Order of Canada (my Public Law prof), professors whose works have been cited in the Supreme Court of Canada and who have taught judges about impartiality (my Contracts prof - a feisty Irishman not afraid to randomly call on people or introduce ideas colourfully in class), professors who have given up private practise, and guest speakers from the judiciary and other exalted legal walks of life who deign to come and impart their wisdom and experience. Into such exalted halls have been admitted countless special people. I'm humbled, grateful and amazed that I got in (did I adequately mention grateful? I think not) but simultaneously wonder how I got in - I know it's not my grades, good looks, or charm. Do I really want to be a member of a club that'll accept me as a member? You bet I absolutely do, and the fact that they accepted me gets me up every morning in spite of every other motivation to the contrary. I'm not about to let anybody down, at home or school, by shirking my readings or coming late to class, or exchanging OTL for naptime. I've got too much invested here to risk screwing it up, so having somewhat less of a "life" is a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
That's not to say I have no life (although I am blogging - what does that say?) - I know when to blow off steam and goof around with classmates at the foosball table, at home or social events, or in online poker tournaments (only for fake chips, never real money!) or the rare in-person, low-stakes game where the value of alcohol consumed far exceeds the chips on the table. I will watch MXC or Invader Zim with Scott (and if you don't know what those shows are, you may not want to find out - they're hardly for everyone! Law school demands a strong connection be maintained with juvenile humour/behaviour for sanity's sake!), or Hockey Night in Canada online (thanks CBC!). Apparently arranging a potluck proved too logistically complicated for my classmates and I, so we'll be doing a special Thanksgiving dinner out at the Fireside on Spring Garden tonight. I may try arrange some kind of Wii Games night, but it depends a lot on readings and how others are doing. Dodgeball begins this coming Wednesday, so I'll try recapture the sprightly reflexes of my younger days and make an adequate, not excessive, fool of myself.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a 1L sad to see OTL (Orientation to Law) end its run at the end of the month. Not because it's dull (although it can be sometimes), laden with laborious readings (somewhat more often), or that it runs 3 days in a row, 1.5h each day. Its absence will significantly free up our schedules, and for that if no other reason is its absence rather unanimously desired. Some lectures have been fascinating, fun, or otherwise enjoyable. Others just dry, and others still worthy of a post-class discussion/argument with the instructor, when there's adequate interest and/or difference of opinion. There was one recent lecture put on by a very respected prof wearing an all-beige suit - this unfortunate choice was compounded by his blond hair; the fact he bore a resemblance to Ryan Stiles (off to wikipedia/google with you, I'll wait) raised the faint hope that he would bring the funny to class, which compounded the disappointment when he didn't. There was another lecture put on by a human computer masquerading as [redacted] who spoke about [redacted] in a very flat voice and saw the world as a quasi-Matrix structure with equations and variables ruling all. I couldn't have disagreed more strongly if I tried, however the presentation so sapped my passion and desire for conflict that I was lucky to stay somewhat attentive to the end of class, let alone get out while upright - no way was I going to stick around for an argument on top of that ordeal. Hopefully there won't be many more lectures like that - I was desperate for a distraction of any kind, but was sitting too close to the front to start cracking jokes or doodling or passing notes. Frustration seems determined to remain a close acquaintance at times, sadly. Not as close as my textbooks though.
The apartment is fine - spacious, increasingly clean (except for the office/study room), and carefully well-tended. The resumption of bus service has made a lot more places accessible from a stop 50 metres away, but so much is in walking distance that I'm in no danger of becoming too sedentary. Especially with the weather getting cooler I'm enjoying getting out and about more and more. Yesterday I toured the legislative building and the oldest building in Halifax (St. Paul's Church) - coming up soon is another field trip to Provincial Court. The excitement never ends!
With any luck you'll actually hear from Racheal one of these days, lest you think the only adventures this couple has involve legal scholarship..she's the interesting one! I'll let you go and enjoy your long weekend now, and wish you all much blessing and gratitude.
Now, to get my decrepit old bones presentable for tonight's shindig..
Cheers,
A.
Let's start with the senses, then move on to "fun," shall we?
Sight: many more clouds and colourful leaves, although there's still a lot of green on the trees. I'm hoping for an explosion of colour to catch with my camera to give you something to look at.
Sound: car tires on wet pavement more often; the powerful, low horns of cruise ships at the dock; periodic sirens and engine brakes of firetrucks; a very faint, high-pitched, intermittent beeping from an undetermined neighbour that will be investigated when it's adequately annoying.
Taste: a passable variety of bachelor cooking. I've got to keep my kitchen skills fresh for when my chief fan/critic arrives!
Touch: the air is still damp but more cooler now. After walking to school I'm not as often ready to melt once stepping inside the building.
Smell: still absent. If you find the slacker let me know, ok?
Moving on - there's a long weekend happening and apparently it predates my series of orbits around the sun. It commemorates the otherwise sadly latent expression of gratitude. Without going into too much detail, I'm thankful for the following (in no particular order, and notwithstanding absent family and friends): good classmates; good teachers (more on them in a moment); a tolerable but challenging workload; the end of OTL in a matter of weeks freeing up my schedule; a convenient and pleasant apartment; and law school.
Obviously I have no way of knowing exactly how unique Dalhousie is short of what they tell me (it's apparently quite special!) - but I'm both grateful and somewhat confused by the fact that I got in. There are professors who are members of the Order of Canada (my Public Law prof), professors whose works have been cited in the Supreme Court of Canada and who have taught judges about impartiality (my Contracts prof - a feisty Irishman not afraid to randomly call on people or introduce ideas colourfully in class), professors who have given up private practise, and guest speakers from the judiciary and other exalted legal walks of life who deign to come and impart their wisdom and experience. Into such exalted halls have been admitted countless special people. I'm humbled, grateful and amazed that I got in (did I adequately mention grateful? I think not) but simultaneously wonder how I got in - I know it's not my grades, good looks, or charm. Do I really want to be a member of a club that'll accept me as a member? You bet I absolutely do, and the fact that they accepted me gets me up every morning in spite of every other motivation to the contrary. I'm not about to let anybody down, at home or school, by shirking my readings or coming late to class, or exchanging OTL for naptime. I've got too much invested here to risk screwing it up, so having somewhat less of a "life" is a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
That's not to say I have no life (although I am blogging - what does that say?) - I know when to blow off steam and goof around with classmates at the foosball table, at home or social events, or in online poker tournaments (only for fake chips, never real money!) or the rare in-person, low-stakes game where the value of alcohol consumed far exceeds the chips on the table. I will watch MXC or Invader Zim with Scott (and if you don't know what those shows are, you may not want to find out - they're hardly for everyone! Law school demands a strong connection be maintained with juvenile humour/behaviour for sanity's sake!), or Hockey Night in Canada online (thanks CBC!). Apparently arranging a potluck proved too logistically complicated for my classmates and I, so we'll be doing a special Thanksgiving dinner out at the Fireside on Spring Garden tonight. I may try arrange some kind of Wii Games night, but it depends a lot on readings and how others are doing. Dodgeball begins this coming Wednesday, so I'll try recapture the sprightly reflexes of my younger days and make an adequate, not excessive, fool of myself.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a 1L sad to see OTL (Orientation to Law) end its run at the end of the month. Not because it's dull (although it can be sometimes), laden with laborious readings (somewhat more often), or that it runs 3 days in a row, 1.5h each day. Its absence will significantly free up our schedules, and for that if no other reason is its absence rather unanimously desired. Some lectures have been fascinating, fun, or otherwise enjoyable. Others just dry, and others still worthy of a post-class discussion/argument with the instructor, when there's adequate interest and/or difference of opinion. There was one recent lecture put on by a very respected prof wearing an all-beige suit - this unfortunate choice was compounded by his blond hair; the fact he bore a resemblance to Ryan Stiles (off to wikipedia/google with you, I'll wait) raised the faint hope that he would bring the funny to class, which compounded the disappointment when he didn't. There was another lecture put on by a human computer masquerading as [redacted] who spoke about [redacted] in a very flat voice and saw the world as a quasi-Matrix structure with equations and variables ruling all. I couldn't have disagreed more strongly if I tried, however the presentation so sapped my passion and desire for conflict that I was lucky to stay somewhat attentive to the end of class, let alone get out while upright - no way was I going to stick around for an argument on top of that ordeal. Hopefully there won't be many more lectures like that - I was desperate for a distraction of any kind, but was sitting too close to the front to start cracking jokes or doodling or passing notes. Frustration seems determined to remain a close acquaintance at times, sadly. Not as close as my textbooks though.
The apartment is fine - spacious, increasingly clean (except for the office/study room), and carefully well-tended. The resumption of bus service has made a lot more places accessible from a stop 50 metres away, but so much is in walking distance that I'm in no danger of becoming too sedentary. Especially with the weather getting cooler I'm enjoying getting out and about more and more. Yesterday I toured the legislative building and the oldest building in Halifax (St. Paul's Church) - coming up soon is another field trip to Provincial Court. The excitement never ends!
With any luck you'll actually hear from Racheal one of these days, lest you think the only adventures this couple has involve legal scholarship..she's the interesting one! I'll let you go and enjoy your long weekend now, and wish you all much blessing and gratitude.
Now, to get my decrepit old bones presentable for tonight's shindig..
Cheers,
A.
07 October 2009
God Save The Dean* - A
(* the closing line of the call to order at the Supreme Court of Dalhousie. In real court, after the "all rise" and "court is now in session" bit, the last line before being seated is "God save the Queen." Don't look at me, I just report it!)
Apparently a significant part of the law school experience will be the ordeal known as a moot. A moot is just a funny word for a pretend trial or legal argument, often in a pseudo-courtroom environment. They come in varying levels of formality, and some are even staged competitively between schools with money, plaques, and bragging rights on the line. To date, I've been involved in 2 spur-of-the-moment moots in Criminal Law class (and I daresay I did well and enjoyed them both greatly), but those are nothing compared to what I sat through this evening.
This was the annual Smith Shield Moot, in which 2 teams of 2 students from the 3L class argued before 3 "judges." The funny thing about this moot is that it was competitive, featured a $1000 prize, and a justice from the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the head lawyer of the NS Bar Association. And the event was heavily promoted and the room was very full. No pressure or anything! The case argued was the Prime Minister of Canada vs Omar Khadr, which will be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in November. Two students argued the government's position, that there's no obligation to ask the US government for his return to Canada (all other western nations have already repatriated their citizen inmates from Guantanamo), and two argued Khadr's side, that he was a child soldier, tortured, and entitled to be returned to Canada to face charges here. The students spent likely months preparing for this, submitting lengthy written documents (factum singular, or facta plural) and then arguing in front of the judicial panel and fielding questions whenever the justices felt like interrupting.
The proceedings closely mirrored real courtroom life - the justices were addressed as "the court," "the bench," "my lord" or "my lady," and so on, and the participants were duly attired in gowns and tabs. First to go was a young woman who came across as stiff but thorough, followed by 3 much more eloquent young men who all were thorough but less stilted. Apparently, the selection method, and the subsequent preparations and ordeal closely mirror Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - true, there's much glory to be won, but also much difficulty to face. Every contestant had their own territory as far as arguments went, and had key ideas they wanted to convey. The challenge is that the justices don't wait until opening statemtents are finished - they interrupt whenever they please. Sometimes sarcastically, sometimes with a wittily pointed rejoinder, and sometimes with a heart-stopping, challenging problem that threatens to undercut the entire argument being put forth. It reminded me of learning to drive a stick shift - sure you're cruising along smoothly and in full control, but something arises and you need to simultaneously downshift, signal a lane change, turn, answer the phone, and turn off the radio all without dumping hot coffee on the nice pants you just got dry-cleaned. Sometimes the students responded as though hitting a minor bump in the road and adapted swiftly and smoothly. Other times there was an "uh"-shaped sledgehammer mark on their foreheads as the gears ground, the clutch stuck, the wheels spun and their sphincters seized. To their credit, they all recovered in time as not to fully lose their way or momentum, but some were definitely better prepared for potential questions, and others admittedly faced easier questions than others.
It was apparent, though, that they were all playing to the audience, judicial panel and students alike. There were a few choice lines it was apparent were highlighted on the page, and likely carved into their foreheads, just waiting for the moment to arise for their use. Some were devastating questions, others unique phrases that forcefully if not exaggeratedly underscored a key point. It merely added to the drama and levity of the legal theatre before us, and facilitated an enjoyable evening away from the books.
My Torts professor had strongly encouraged attendance, and she made a point of seeking out her students during a recess to solicit thoughts. Apparently I'm one of the few she greeted by name - I hope this is a good sign, as I try make my mark through participating and asking good questions. I've also made my mark on a classmate it would seem through the aforementioned Criminal Law moots - our first event involved welfare fraud, and she watched me calmly and thoroughly dismantle her points, and told me she thought "I don't know whether to hate this guy or admire him." Happily, she chose the latter and we get along fine - she's a married mother of 2 also with judicial aspirations, and as two avowed "keeners" we compare notes and perspectives from time to time and tend to sit towards the front and centre of most classes. We're both rather looking forward to our compulsory moots next year, and other related role-playing activities throughout school - hopefully more as allies than adversaries.
That's about the extent of academic topics I'll mention tonight - there's an entire long weekend ahead in which I'm sure more enjoyable "life in Halifax"-type entries may arise. In more mundane news, road construction is slowly ending and the buses now run along our street once more, the weather rarely gets above 15C, and rain is more frequently in the forecast. Leaves are starting to change colour, and, coupled with the start of hockey season, it's quite evident that summer is over and life is beginning once more.
Given that I do have class tomorrow morning, I'll end this now and hope you're all well, thankful, and enjoying my periodic indulgences. I'll try make the next one more entertaining!
Cheers,
A.
Apparently a significant part of the law school experience will be the ordeal known as a moot. A moot is just a funny word for a pretend trial or legal argument, often in a pseudo-courtroom environment. They come in varying levels of formality, and some are even staged competitively between schools with money, plaques, and bragging rights on the line. To date, I've been involved in 2 spur-of-the-moment moots in Criminal Law class (and I daresay I did well and enjoyed them both greatly), but those are nothing compared to what I sat through this evening.
This was the annual Smith Shield Moot, in which 2 teams of 2 students from the 3L class argued before 3 "judges." The funny thing about this moot is that it was competitive, featured a $1000 prize, and a justice from the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the head lawyer of the NS Bar Association. And the event was heavily promoted and the room was very full. No pressure or anything! The case argued was the Prime Minister of Canada vs Omar Khadr, which will be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in November. Two students argued the government's position, that there's no obligation to ask the US government for his return to Canada (all other western nations have already repatriated their citizen inmates from Guantanamo), and two argued Khadr's side, that he was a child soldier, tortured, and entitled to be returned to Canada to face charges here. The students spent likely months preparing for this, submitting lengthy written documents (factum singular, or facta plural) and then arguing in front of the judicial panel and fielding questions whenever the justices felt like interrupting.
The proceedings closely mirrored real courtroom life - the justices were addressed as "the court," "the bench," "my lord" or "my lady," and so on, and the participants were duly attired in gowns and tabs. First to go was a young woman who came across as stiff but thorough, followed by 3 much more eloquent young men who all were thorough but less stilted. Apparently, the selection method, and the subsequent preparations and ordeal closely mirror Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - true, there's much glory to be won, but also much difficulty to face. Every contestant had their own territory as far as arguments went, and had key ideas they wanted to convey. The challenge is that the justices don't wait until opening statemtents are finished - they interrupt whenever they please. Sometimes sarcastically, sometimes with a wittily pointed rejoinder, and sometimes with a heart-stopping, challenging problem that threatens to undercut the entire argument being put forth. It reminded me of learning to drive a stick shift - sure you're cruising along smoothly and in full control, but something arises and you need to simultaneously downshift, signal a lane change, turn, answer the phone, and turn off the radio all without dumping hot coffee on the nice pants you just got dry-cleaned. Sometimes the students responded as though hitting a minor bump in the road and adapted swiftly and smoothly. Other times there was an "uh"-shaped sledgehammer mark on their foreheads as the gears ground, the clutch stuck, the wheels spun and their sphincters seized. To their credit, they all recovered in time as not to fully lose their way or momentum, but some were definitely better prepared for potential questions, and others admittedly faced easier questions than others.
It was apparent, though, that they were all playing to the audience, judicial panel and students alike. There were a few choice lines it was apparent were highlighted on the page, and likely carved into their foreheads, just waiting for the moment to arise for their use. Some were devastating questions, others unique phrases that forcefully if not exaggeratedly underscored a key point. It merely added to the drama and levity of the legal theatre before us, and facilitated an enjoyable evening away from the books.
My Torts professor had strongly encouraged attendance, and she made a point of seeking out her students during a recess to solicit thoughts. Apparently I'm one of the few she greeted by name - I hope this is a good sign, as I try make my mark through participating and asking good questions. I've also made my mark on a classmate it would seem through the aforementioned Criminal Law moots - our first event involved welfare fraud, and she watched me calmly and thoroughly dismantle her points, and told me she thought "I don't know whether to hate this guy or admire him." Happily, she chose the latter and we get along fine - she's a married mother of 2 also with judicial aspirations, and as two avowed "keeners" we compare notes and perspectives from time to time and tend to sit towards the front and centre of most classes. We're both rather looking forward to our compulsory moots next year, and other related role-playing activities throughout school - hopefully more as allies than adversaries.
That's about the extent of academic topics I'll mention tonight - there's an entire long weekend ahead in which I'm sure more enjoyable "life in Halifax"-type entries may arise. In more mundane news, road construction is slowly ending and the buses now run along our street once more, the weather rarely gets above 15C, and rain is more frequently in the forecast. Leaves are starting to change colour, and, coupled with the start of hockey season, it's quite evident that summer is over and life is beginning once more.
Given that I do have class tomorrow morning, I'll end this now and hope you're all well, thankful, and enjoying my periodic indulgences. I'll try make the next one more entertaining!
Cheers,
A.
01 October 2009
Hey Mr. DJ! - A
(Filed under "Halifax in 5 Senses - Sound)
I recently compiled a list of music to recommend to a friend, and thanks to a particularly unfortunate batch of work to do this weekend, I figured I'd broaden and adapt it for study music, and share it with my thoughts and recommendations. I don't study well to songs with English lyrics, so you won't find too many although there will be some to help me get through Orientation To Law (IDIS for law school) readings. Mostly there'll be jazz, acapella, blues, and instrumental soundtracks. Some of the videos are worth watching and some aren't, but you should definitely listen and feel free to click on related links on the side when you look them up.
Years ago I was introduced to the music of Holly Cole - sadly, the samples I'd like to recommend aren't on youtube, but here are two:
I Can See Clearly Now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68uFGwLd84
Fragile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_OyVP23ea8
I'd also recommend her song Romantically Helpless, but finding it on youtube may be a challenge.
Another bluesy spin-off is Anjani Thomas, mentored and assisted by the ever-perky, joyous Leonard Cohen (/sarcasm). Her music tends to be moody and heavy - be careful what mood you're in before hitting play. That said, the quality and the expressiveness is stellar, and she puts lesser, more experienced artists, to shame.
Thanks For The Dance: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-233299183/anjani_thomas_thanks_for_the_dance_official_music_video/
Moving into Vocal Jazz you'll find groups like Manhattan Transfer or The Real Group, or even some of the Nylons' works there too. Often you'll find they do intricate and/or catchy a capella work, or even just complex harmonies with the simplest of lyrics.
I Sing You Sing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF6FX0gnrZQ
There's no real shortage of songs to recommend here in spite of just the one link. I've literally passed hours with only vocal jazz on, and it's been outstanding.
Next up is popular folk music such as Celtic Thunder or Celtic Woman, or even groups like Libera. Sure they mostly sing in English, and while they're not Olympic-calibre singers they do a respectable job and are worth a listen. They may even be habit-forming.
Steal Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZzxqSjjt38
Danny Boy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZLpN4VueAo
Nella Fantasia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2QTIPChkfs
Beyond the Sea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz_fcbKKmQA
Be Still My Soul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omlBeCGLFG4
(warning - video may be disturbing to some)
The next logical step in this progression is "popera" featuring Il Divo and Josh Groban. This features pop songs performed in an operatic style, with lots of room to show off vocally. The use of multiple languages makes it easier to ignore lyrics and focus on material. Again, these can lead to a long-lasting musical diversion, just in related links alone.
Regresa A Mi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UPxZSW7OYA
A Mi Manera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPOxUnFjOhI
You Are Loved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-G8IfjPAII
I'm leaving out orchestral performances of classical composers, and opera, because they are either already well-enough known or not quite as inspiring/conducive to studying. Not to say I avoid classical music, but opera I find to be best consumed in small doses, ideally with a healthy infusion of pop, as per Andrea Bocelli. Considering the guy's blind, and outstanding, I'll throw in a link or two:
Nessun Dorma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbGKQ8YASCY
Con Te Partiro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbN0g8-zbdY
Now that we've exhausted lyrical music, it's time to move on to instrumental. First, because she deserves her own section, Vanessa-Mae. She's a Singaporean-born Londoner, playing violin in a broad fusion of styles. Her song "Happy Valley" was specially performed at the reunification of China and Hong Kong. Some of it's meditative and classical, some of it rejuvenatingly energetic. She blends her own touch into different folk music, or classical styles, such as Scottish-African in I'm a Doun. I find it purely addictive.
Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcNBd0HPhQ
Caprice #24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxfh-dlTH3M
Bach Street Prelude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY1shAT-q3E
Red Hot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn6vnwzpLAI
I'm a Doun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh9j0-Ey3kw
Aurora: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVzRVNYtFV4
A Poet's Quest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gWKm0k-nX4
Happy Valley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ICAkoQtbtw
Toccata & Fugue (with full orchestra, live in Bratislava): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8Fa_EUQqY
(live at Royal Albert Hall): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VexO1L0_d2U
Sabre Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1AB5NowKOE
I strongly encourage the in-depth exploration of all her music, from live performances to her latest album "Choreography," featuring the music of different world styles of dance.
This of course leads in to the best music for studying or writing. It's almost entirely instrumental, but also combines multicultural elements such as the Persian duduk, Indian sitar, or various Chinese instruments in classical or rock settings. I'm speaking of course about the Battlestar Galactica Soundtracks, or as they should be known "The Bear McCreary Musical Showcase." He seriously does it all. Classical, Scottish, orchestral, ballad, or rock - it's all done uniquely and excellently. There's a lot of samples here that hit on all the various strengths.
Passacaglia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRXNLFKi_U
Roslin & Adama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJZkaKCfBuI
Gaeta's Lament: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxjGOSmH6kw
Battlestar Sonatica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vcFFf9aa7k
Kara Remembers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_IsptRrIak
All Along the Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_sHy9cVH0
Goodbye Baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56ruBZViW14
Prelude to War: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlcUwUwjLrs
The Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oozfytWWbyA
The Dinner Party: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apx-nVC0HZI
Kobol's Last Gleaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZvi4vcD6U
The Shape of Things to Come: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tII1DSHPU80
Metamorphosis Five: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWLvNULJDpo
Drelide Thrace Sonata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLlw7EzNgQ4
So Much Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6tfljPS8kU
Despite the strong relationship between the music and the show, the entire soundtrack stands up on its own quite well. While it may be a little sedate in some parts, I find it on the whole perfectly suited for studying or relaxing to.
So, this is how my nights of reading sound for the most part, and how I stay sane when hashing through hours of torts or property law. Take from it what you will, and I hope you enjoyed what you listened to, or found something worth exploring (but please, explore at least something from all areas).
But now, for me, the weekend beckons. NHL hockey tonight, poker on Friday, and (sob) studying for the rest of it. Hooray for October! Summer's gone, and life begins in earnest...now!
Happy listening,
A.
I recently compiled a list of music to recommend to a friend, and thanks to a particularly unfortunate batch of work to do this weekend, I figured I'd broaden and adapt it for study music, and share it with my thoughts and recommendations. I don't study well to songs with English lyrics, so you won't find too many although there will be some to help me get through Orientation To Law (IDIS for law school) readings. Mostly there'll be jazz, acapella, blues, and instrumental soundtracks. Some of the videos are worth watching and some aren't, but you should definitely listen and feel free to click on related links on the side when you look them up.
Years ago I was introduced to the music of Holly Cole - sadly, the samples I'd like to recommend aren't on youtube, but here are two:
I Can See Clearly Now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68uFGwLd84
Fragile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_OyVP23ea8
I'd also recommend her song Romantically Helpless, but finding it on youtube may be a challenge.
Another bluesy spin-off is Anjani Thomas, mentored and assisted by the ever-perky, joyous Leonard Cohen (/sarcasm). Her music tends to be moody and heavy - be careful what mood you're in before hitting play. That said, the quality and the expressiveness is stellar, and she puts lesser, more experienced artists, to shame.
Thanks For The Dance: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-233299183/anjani_thomas_thanks_for_the_dance_official_music_video/
Moving into Vocal Jazz you'll find groups like Manhattan Transfer or The Real Group, or even some of the Nylons' works there too. Often you'll find they do intricate and/or catchy a capella work, or even just complex harmonies with the simplest of lyrics.
I Sing You Sing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF6FX0gnrZQ
There's no real shortage of songs to recommend here in spite of just the one link. I've literally passed hours with only vocal jazz on, and it's been outstanding.
Next up is popular folk music such as Celtic Thunder or Celtic Woman, or even groups like Libera. Sure they mostly sing in English, and while they're not Olympic-calibre singers they do a respectable job and are worth a listen. They may even be habit-forming.
Steal Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZzxqSjjt38
Danny Boy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZLpN4VueAo
Nella Fantasia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2QTIPChkfs
Beyond the Sea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz_fcbKKmQA
Be Still My Soul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omlBeCGLFG4
(warning - video may be disturbing to some)
The next logical step in this progression is "popera" featuring Il Divo and Josh Groban. This features pop songs performed in an operatic style, with lots of room to show off vocally. The use of multiple languages makes it easier to ignore lyrics and focus on material. Again, these can lead to a long-lasting musical diversion, just in related links alone.
Regresa A Mi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UPxZSW7OYA
A Mi Manera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPOxUnFjOhI
You Are Loved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-G8IfjPAII
I'm leaving out orchestral performances of classical composers, and opera, because they are either already well-enough known or not quite as inspiring/conducive to studying. Not to say I avoid classical music, but opera I find to be best consumed in small doses, ideally with a healthy infusion of pop, as per Andrea Bocelli. Considering the guy's blind, and outstanding, I'll throw in a link or two:
Nessun Dorma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbGKQ8YASCY
Con Te Partiro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbN0g8-zbdY
Now that we've exhausted lyrical music, it's time to move on to instrumental. First, because she deserves her own section, Vanessa-Mae. She's a Singaporean-born Londoner, playing violin in a broad fusion of styles. Her song "Happy Valley" was specially performed at the reunification of China and Hong Kong. Some of it's meditative and classical, some of it rejuvenatingly energetic. She blends her own touch into different folk music, or classical styles, such as Scottish-African in I'm a Doun. I find it purely addictive.
Classical Gas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcNBd0HPhQ
Caprice #24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxfh-dlTH3M
Bach Street Prelude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY1shAT-q3E
Red Hot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn6vnwzpLAI
I'm a Doun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh9j0-Ey3kw
Aurora: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVzRVNYtFV4
A Poet's Quest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gWKm0k-nX4
Happy Valley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ICAkoQtbtw
Toccata & Fugue (with full orchestra, live in Bratislava): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8Fa_EUQqY
(live at Royal Albert Hall): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VexO1L0_d2U
Sabre Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1AB5NowKOE
I strongly encourage the in-depth exploration of all her music, from live performances to her latest album "Choreography," featuring the music of different world styles of dance.
This of course leads in to the best music for studying or writing. It's almost entirely instrumental, but also combines multicultural elements such as the Persian duduk, Indian sitar, or various Chinese instruments in classical or rock settings. I'm speaking of course about the Battlestar Galactica Soundtracks, or as they should be known "The Bear McCreary Musical Showcase." He seriously does it all. Classical, Scottish, orchestral, ballad, or rock - it's all done uniquely and excellently. There's a lot of samples here that hit on all the various strengths.
Passacaglia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRXNLFKi_U
Roslin & Adama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJZkaKCfBuI
Gaeta's Lament: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxjGOSmH6kw
Battlestar Sonatica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vcFFf9aa7k
Kara Remembers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_IsptRrIak
All Along the Watchtower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_sHy9cVH0
Goodbye Baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56ruBZViW14
Prelude to War: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlcUwUwjLrs
The Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oozfytWWbyA
The Dinner Party: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apx-nVC0HZI
Kobol's Last Gleaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgZvi4vcD6U
The Shape of Things to Come: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tII1DSHPU80
Metamorphosis Five: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWLvNULJDpo
Drelide Thrace Sonata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLlw7EzNgQ4
So Much Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6tfljPS8kU
Despite the strong relationship between the music and the show, the entire soundtrack stands up on its own quite well. While it may be a little sedate in some parts, I find it on the whole perfectly suited for studying or relaxing to.
So, this is how my nights of reading sound for the most part, and how I stay sane when hashing through hours of torts or property law. Take from it what you will, and I hope you enjoyed what you listened to, or found something worth exploring (but please, explore at least something from all areas).
But now, for me, the weekend beckons. NHL hockey tonight, poker on Friday, and (sob) studying for the rest of it. Hooray for October! Summer's gone, and life begins in earnest...now!
Happy listening,
A.
18 September 2009
My Morning In Court - A
"I'm sorry, Aaron's not available right now, he's got court this morning."
(I've just finished my first week at law school and have already had a court appearance - and no, there wasn't a traffic ticket involved this time! How awesome is that?)
Consider yourselves spoiled - I was going to spend this afternoon reading and taking notes, but this morning was adequately nifty to deserve an immediate description.
Thanks to an ongoing relationship between Dal Law and the Halifax court system, my Public Law prof was able to arrange the attendance of interested students at the appeal of a criminal case. About 10 of us showed up and after going through security got to watch a real case in action. Aside from the students and professor, there was a sheriff, 3 family members of the apellant, 1 judicial clerk, 1 court reporter, the opposing lawyers, (1 each) and 3 justices (what judges are called when sitting at the Supreme or Apellate Courts).
So the lawyer for the apellant (the person bringing the appeal, in this case a criminal defendant) spoke first, raising her 4 points of objection/appeal to the original sentence, while fielding questions from the justices as they came up. Then the Crown lawyer (in this case the respondent) gave his thoughts, with fewer questions to answer, then the justices announced that they were reserving their decision (to be issued later in writing) and left. Yes, we had to do the "all rise" thing (as announced by the court reporter) and there was a high level of formality - the lawyers (also called "counsel") followed court protocol, calling each other "my friend" and the justices "my lord/lady" (only provincial court judges are called "your honour") - but at the same time it was efficiently relaxed. The Crown interrupted the apellant to provide some dates she was looking for (with the Court's permission), and one of the justices appeared to have his feet up for part of the proceedings. Thanks in large part to both sides providing the main arguments in written "factums" weeks in advance, it was just oral arguments and Q&A in the hearing and they were in and out in about 45 minutes. Apparently, some are shorter, but some have gone on up to about 2 days (with recesses, of course)!
After all that formality, though, the treat was the justices came back into the courtroom when the other parties had left and gave us another 40 minutes or so, sharing thoughts and answering our questions. They explained some procedures, how they get cases, who hears them, and when, and talked about how restricted a Court of Appeal justice is in exercising discretion - it all comes down to points of law. There's very rarely any additional evidence produced, since all evidence and testimony happens in the lower courts, so it's just addressing points of law and procedure.
I didn't bring a camera, as it seems they frown on that sort of thing. It was an almost cube-shaped courtoom, with a very high white ceiling and dark brown wood paneled walls. Everyone gets a comfy wheely chair except for the public gallery, where wooden benches are provided behind a metal bar separating public from lawyer space. This room was carpeted in a soft white, and had seating for 12 lawyers and space for 5 justices, although only 3 were on the panel for this case. The court reporter sits right in front of the panel, and has some computer with speech recognition (probably) that I couldn't get a look at. There's gooseneck microphones all over the place so that every word gets recorded, but not put through speakers. The walls had portraits of past chief justices on them, and behind the centre of the panel was a Royal Coat of Arms on the wall. The clerk, lawyers, and justices all wore their black robes, and the lawyers and justices also all had white tabs on their collars - no wigs, fur, or crimson anywhere in this courtroom (see https://peacock.rainyday.mb.ca/peacock/gaspard/images/robepackage-TN.jpg for basic robes and tabs).
So, that's how I spent my first Friday off from class - on a field trip! Future Fridays will include trips to the Provincial Court building on Spring Garden Rd, and perhaps to the Supreme Court as well, and I'll likely try get a tour in of Province House (the provincial legislature building) one of these weeks as well - just for personal interest's sake, not necessarily for any class, although I'm told our Criminal law class will attend court as well one day.
Maybe I've been drinking the cool-aid a bit but this really is seeming more and more like an ideal fit for me - lack of knowledge aside, I could easily see myself in action one day like what I saw today. We'll see how long it takes for the bloom to come off this rose, but so far the reading's quite manageable. Again, my deepest thanks to everyone who facilitated my entry into law school, and to those supporting me through it.
I suppose this is long enough - and that Crim reading is in no danger of doing itself, so I'd best get back to work. Till next time,
A.
PS - certain people may wonder if I remembered to dress appropriately for court. I did, thanks for asking, and no, I did not stick out like a sore thumb. After all, it just wouldn't do for some keener 1L (who asked almost as many questions as the prof) to make that big a fool of himself. A suit would have been overkill, and ties were not required either, so yay me!
(I've just finished my first week at law school and have already had a court appearance - and no, there wasn't a traffic ticket involved this time! How awesome is that?)
Consider yourselves spoiled - I was going to spend this afternoon reading and taking notes, but this morning was adequately nifty to deserve an immediate description.
Thanks to an ongoing relationship between Dal Law and the Halifax court system, my Public Law prof was able to arrange the attendance of interested students at the appeal of a criminal case. About 10 of us showed up and after going through security got to watch a real case in action. Aside from the students and professor, there was a sheriff, 3 family members of the apellant, 1 judicial clerk, 1 court reporter, the opposing lawyers, (1 each) and 3 justices (what judges are called when sitting at the Supreme or Apellate Courts).
So the lawyer for the apellant (the person bringing the appeal, in this case a criminal defendant) spoke first, raising her 4 points of objection/appeal to the original sentence, while fielding questions from the justices as they came up. Then the Crown lawyer (in this case the respondent) gave his thoughts, with fewer questions to answer, then the justices announced that they were reserving their decision (to be issued later in writing) and left. Yes, we had to do the "all rise" thing (as announced by the court reporter) and there was a high level of formality - the lawyers (also called "counsel") followed court protocol, calling each other "my friend" and the justices "my lord/lady" (only provincial court judges are called "your honour") - but at the same time it was efficiently relaxed. The Crown interrupted the apellant to provide some dates she was looking for (with the Court's permission), and one of the justices appeared to have his feet up for part of the proceedings. Thanks in large part to both sides providing the main arguments in written "factums" weeks in advance, it was just oral arguments and Q&A in the hearing and they were in and out in about 45 minutes. Apparently, some are shorter, but some have gone on up to about 2 days (with recesses, of course)!
After all that formality, though, the treat was the justices came back into the courtroom when the other parties had left and gave us another 40 minutes or so, sharing thoughts and answering our questions. They explained some procedures, how they get cases, who hears them, and when, and talked about how restricted a Court of Appeal justice is in exercising discretion - it all comes down to points of law. There's very rarely any additional evidence produced, since all evidence and testimony happens in the lower courts, so it's just addressing points of law and procedure.
I didn't bring a camera, as it seems they frown on that sort of thing. It was an almost cube-shaped courtoom, with a very high white ceiling and dark brown wood paneled walls. Everyone gets a comfy wheely chair except for the public gallery, where wooden benches are provided behind a metal bar separating public from lawyer space. This room was carpeted in a soft white, and had seating for 12 lawyers and space for 5 justices, although only 3 were on the panel for this case. The court reporter sits right in front of the panel, and has some computer with speech recognition (probably) that I couldn't get a look at. There's gooseneck microphones all over the place so that every word gets recorded, but not put through speakers. The walls had portraits of past chief justices on them, and behind the centre of the panel was a Royal Coat of Arms on the wall. The clerk, lawyers, and justices all wore their black robes, and the lawyers and justices also all had white tabs on their collars - no wigs, fur, or crimson anywhere in this courtroom (see https://peacock.rainyday.mb.ca/peacock/gaspard/images/robepackage-TN.jpg for basic robes and tabs).
So, that's how I spent my first Friday off from class - on a field trip! Future Fridays will include trips to the Provincial Court building on Spring Garden Rd, and perhaps to the Supreme Court as well, and I'll likely try get a tour in of Province House (the provincial legislature building) one of these weeks as well - just for personal interest's sake, not necessarily for any class, although I'm told our Criminal law class will attend court as well one day.
Maybe I've been drinking the cool-aid a bit but this really is seeming more and more like an ideal fit for me - lack of knowledge aside, I could easily see myself in action one day like what I saw today. We'll see how long it takes for the bloom to come off this rose, but so far the reading's quite manageable. Again, my deepest thanks to everyone who facilitated my entry into law school, and to those supporting me through it.
I suppose this is long enough - and that Crim reading is in no danger of doing itself, so I'd best get back to work. Till next time,
A.
PS - certain people may wonder if I remembered to dress appropriately for court. I did, thanks for asking, and no, I did not stick out like a sore thumb. After all, it just wouldn't do for some keener 1L (who asked almost as many questions as the prof) to make that big a fool of himself. A suit would have been overkill, and ties were not required either, so yay me!
16 September 2009
Expectations - A
Thanks to hard work, discipline, and a little bit of speed-reading, I've got some spare time tonight. I'm still honing my study habits for this new world, but seem to be faring better than some of my classmates - some are losing sleep keeping up with their readings. There but for the grace of God, and my clean living..or something, go I.
So, as the title suggests, I'm going to briefly look over some expectations and the attendant realities in a couple areas. As far as Halifax in 5 Senses goes, there's not much to report. Touch finds ambient temperatures generally staying in the teens (celsius of course!), hearing notes a lot of lecturing, sight has yet to find trees changing colours, smell as usual is on extended leave, and taste is becoming intimately familiar with the fruits of something called "leftovers." Not to say that my culinary variety is lacking, but with only one mouth to feed, leftovers tend to go further. This is good in that lunches have so far been sandwich-free, but does somewhat cut down on variety. I'll manage! (And happily, considering how much less my grocery bills tend to be!)
To expectations (E) and realities (R), then:
E: Halifax will be a liveable city
R: Halifax is an awesomely liveable city (pending winter) - I can walk to almost everything I need, or if need be, can bus.
E: law school will be a challenge
R: law school is a refreshing change of pace, and a fulfilling challenge! I know I haven't hit the thick of the workload yet, but it's quite seriously enjoyable in many ways.
E: Dalhousie is a good school
R: Dal is actually an innovator of legal education and practise, very much encouraging and facilitating student work experience in the community, with volunteer and legal aid work. Much more than lip service is given to the notion of "giving back." Remind me, how did I get into such a stellar school?
E: Legal aid lawyers get paid a pittance
R: Compared to their private colleagues, even less than that. But it's still more than I've ever made! Also, they tend to have many work opportunities.
E: I'd miss B.C. and Vancouver (especially the rain and mountains) quite terribly
R: It is strange having transient rain activity, but all in all, Halifax isn't so vastly different. Now, ask me how fun it'll be following the Canucks or the Olympics when pacific-time games start at 11pm here...
E: I'd be almost incapacitated by the absence of family and friends
R: Video chat on Skype has enabled a very healthy amount of keeping in touch, and I've actually started making friends here for when my homies are unavailable. I'm quite blessed to have this level of support in two places.
E: Halifaxians (for some reason called Haligonians) wouldn't be as nifty as Vancouverites
R: If possible, they're even more laid back and generally healthier! It seems everyone's got a sport activity or marathon they're training for, and while the downtown area here's not as bike-friendly as parts of Vancouver are, there's all sorts of rollerblading and cycling options around and people seem determined to use them while they can. That said, there's some obese people and a good number of smokers, but at least the smokers are kept outside and away from doorways - just like home!
Now, this isn't to say all is perfect here. Dishes and cleaning get done when they can, and certain people's standards may be offended by what gets let go for an extra day or three. I'm not able to watch TV or movies most of the time now, and reading for fun tends to involve comics while I eat (if I'm not checking facebook or email). It's hard to miss having a life when I never really had much of one, I guess. And physical activity's not as varied or intense as I'd hoped it would be, although lugging 23 lbs of books almost 2km each Monday and Wednesday does add up I'm sure. Maybe I'll take up some intramurals during the semester, but it'll be very tentative - but I hear dodgeball (quit laughing!) is a good workout and not too time or money-intensive. And no, I'm not losing weight, but I'm not gaining it either. Maybe in December...
I'll have completed another solar orbit this October long weekend, and in addition to my private plans, am considering perhaps opening the place up to a select number of classmates for an Orphan's Thanksgiving of sorts. I'm not sure how people's schedules or plans will affect this, and I certainly won't be able to go all out or be too fancy, but it'd be a shame not to share some kind of blessing while I'm able to. With any luck I'll be able to make the place adequately presentable so as not to malign certain female influences in my housekeeping abilities...
All this being said, my free time is passing and I've got a sink full of dishes to consider. Until next time...keep your stick on the ice!
A.
So, as the title suggests, I'm going to briefly look over some expectations and the attendant realities in a couple areas. As far as Halifax in 5 Senses goes, there's not much to report. Touch finds ambient temperatures generally staying in the teens (celsius of course!), hearing notes a lot of lecturing, sight has yet to find trees changing colours, smell as usual is on extended leave, and taste is becoming intimately familiar with the fruits of something called "leftovers." Not to say that my culinary variety is lacking, but with only one mouth to feed, leftovers tend to go further. This is good in that lunches have so far been sandwich-free, but does somewhat cut down on variety. I'll manage! (And happily, considering how much less my grocery bills tend to be!)
To expectations (E) and realities (R), then:
E: Halifax will be a liveable city
R: Halifax is an awesomely liveable city (pending winter) - I can walk to almost everything I need, or if need be, can bus.
E: law school will be a challenge
R: law school is a refreshing change of pace, and a fulfilling challenge! I know I haven't hit the thick of the workload yet, but it's quite seriously enjoyable in many ways.
E: Dalhousie is a good school
R: Dal is actually an innovator of legal education and practise, very much encouraging and facilitating student work experience in the community, with volunteer and legal aid work. Much more than lip service is given to the notion of "giving back." Remind me, how did I get into such a stellar school?
E: Legal aid lawyers get paid a pittance
R: Compared to their private colleagues, even less than that. But it's still more than I've ever made! Also, they tend to have many work opportunities.
E: I'd miss B.C. and Vancouver (especially the rain and mountains) quite terribly
R: It is strange having transient rain activity, but all in all, Halifax isn't so vastly different. Now, ask me how fun it'll be following the Canucks or the Olympics when pacific-time games start at 11pm here...
E: I'd be almost incapacitated by the absence of family and friends
R: Video chat on Skype has enabled a very healthy amount of keeping in touch, and I've actually started making friends here for when my homies are unavailable. I'm quite blessed to have this level of support in two places.
E: Halifaxians (for some reason called Haligonians) wouldn't be as nifty as Vancouverites
R: If possible, they're even more laid back and generally healthier! It seems everyone's got a sport activity or marathon they're training for, and while the downtown area here's not as bike-friendly as parts of Vancouver are, there's all sorts of rollerblading and cycling options around and people seem determined to use them while they can. That said, there's some obese people and a good number of smokers, but at least the smokers are kept outside and away from doorways - just like home!
Now, this isn't to say all is perfect here. Dishes and cleaning get done when they can, and certain people's standards may be offended by what gets let go for an extra day or three. I'm not able to watch TV or movies most of the time now, and reading for fun tends to involve comics while I eat (if I'm not checking facebook or email). It's hard to miss having a life when I never really had much of one, I guess. And physical activity's not as varied or intense as I'd hoped it would be, although lugging 23 lbs of books almost 2km each Monday and Wednesday does add up I'm sure. Maybe I'll take up some intramurals during the semester, but it'll be very tentative - but I hear dodgeball (quit laughing!) is a good workout and not too time or money-intensive. And no, I'm not losing weight, but I'm not gaining it either. Maybe in December...
I'll have completed another solar orbit this October long weekend, and in addition to my private plans, am considering perhaps opening the place up to a select number of classmates for an Orphan's Thanksgiving of sorts. I'm not sure how people's schedules or plans will affect this, and I certainly won't be able to go all out or be too fancy, but it'd be a shame not to share some kind of blessing while I'm able to. With any luck I'll be able to make the place adequately presentable so as not to malign certain female influences in my housekeeping abilities...
All this being said, my free time is passing and I've got a sink full of dishes to consider. Until next time...keep your stick on the ice!
A.
03 September 2009
Places Everybody! - A
All right everybody, we only get one shot at this and we have to get it right the first time. No you can't go on break now, we go live in 4 days and counting! Let's get a final systems check and inventory, shall we? I want a simple "go/no-go" when I call your name!
Textbooks? Go!
School supplies? Go!
Computer & Communications? Go!
Clothing & Shoes? Go!
Menu & Groceries? Go, but will need selected resupply on Monday.
Apartment systems functional? Go!
Unpacking? Go!
Time zone calibration? Projected to be Go by Monday.
Thank you people, I see all systems are go. Bring up the to-do checklist and prioritise, please.
Move empty boxes & bins into storage: low priority, pending completion of bike storage.
Explore rooftop patio: low priority, pending safety clearance and landlord approval.
Menu planning: ongoing, medium priority.
School readings: ongoing, variable priorities, welcome to the rest of your life.
Laundry, cleaning, upkeep: ongoing, variable priorities - set priority = "high" when month = "December." Noted.
Pre-Orientation social events: medium priority, as announced. Set aside additional memory for "names and faces," please.
Important events to prepare for upon going live?
Orientation first morning: Tuesday Sept 8 0830 - set alarm early!
Orientation first class: Thursday Sept 10 0900 - find room.
Orientation Semi-Formal Ball: Saturday Sept 12, 1900 - seek wardrobe advisories.
First standard day of class: Monday Sept 14, 0830. Be awake, properly attired, and in the right room.
Very well people, continue with final preparations. Remember, we go live as a law student in under a week - stay sharp. Please schedule all problems and conflicts for sooner rather than later - yes, that means you. Ok, any questions? This is it, people! Places everybody! Final countdown has begun - in 4! 3! 2!
PS - any special soundtrack ideas to get prepped/psyched for this once-in-a-lifetime event?
Textbooks? Go!
School supplies? Go!
Computer & Communications? Go!
Clothing & Shoes? Go!
Menu & Groceries? Go, but will need selected resupply on Monday.
Apartment systems functional? Go!
Unpacking? Go!
Time zone calibration? Projected to be Go by Monday.
Thank you people, I see all systems are go. Bring up the to-do checklist and prioritise, please.
Move empty boxes & bins into storage: low priority, pending completion of bike storage.
Explore rooftop patio: low priority, pending safety clearance and landlord approval.
Menu planning: ongoing, medium priority.
School readings: ongoing, variable priorities, welcome to the rest of your life.
Laundry, cleaning, upkeep: ongoing, variable priorities - set priority = "high" when month = "December." Noted.
Pre-Orientation social events: medium priority, as announced. Set aside additional memory for "names and faces," please.
Important events to prepare for upon going live?
Orientation first morning: Tuesday Sept 8 0830 - set alarm early!
Orientation first class: Thursday Sept 10 0900 - find room.
Orientation Semi-Formal Ball: Saturday Sept 12, 1900 - seek wardrobe advisories.
First standard day of class: Monday Sept 14, 0830. Be awake, properly attired, and in the right room.
Very well people, continue with final preparations. Remember, we go live as a law student in under a week - stay sharp. Please schedule all problems and conflicts for sooner rather than later - yes, that means you. Ok, any questions? This is it, people! Places everybody! Final countdown has begun - in 4! 3! 2!
PS - any special soundtrack ideas to get prepped/psyched for this once-in-a-lifetime event?
29 August 2009
Farmer's Market & Book Stores - A
Yesterday was a fun day of socialising with future classmates, including much walking, a bus ride, bowling, and orientation to various pubs. We also found the comfy chairs in the law library, toured the bookstore, and learned where cheap buffets are (a residence hall and the downtown casino).
(* Interlude - there are some names and terms you'll see a lot of coming up. #L (where # = 1, 2, or 3) is a law student of year #. Weldon is the law building, Dunn library is the law library inside Weldon, Dal is of course Dalhousie, and Hali = Halifax, with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) including Bedford, Sackville, and Dartmouth. Scott is a fellow 1L in group A who lives in Cole Harbour and is a masterful tour guide and wonderful source of information. Stephanie Wong is a fellow 1L from Vancouver who lives nearby, and is in group C with me. Robie, South, Spring Garden, Barrington, University, Oxford, and Bayers are all major local roads. Spring Garden hosts a mini-mall and theatre, Bayers has Halifax Centre, a larger mall with a Walmart and other such larger stores, and the Mic Mac Mall is a #10 bus ride into Dartmouth, and it seems to be a pretty large mall if not the largest in the area. *)
Today was wet, but Stephanie and I braved the occasional rain for a chance to explore the Halifax Famer's Market, which is held in parts of the Alexander Keith's brewery and surrounding area. It's indoors, except for the odd sidewalk display, and very popular, and very eclectic. It's like a meeting place of every culture and food type in the HRM. There's everything from Asian teas to German bread, fresh farm produce and eggs to seafood and specialty meats. There's also Indian and Lebanese food, specialty cheeses and chocolates, honey and wax, buskers and musicians, and arts and crafts. It's like a very multicultural MCC sale held in a small, cozy maze of rooms and corridors, with different languages and clothing styles and musical instruments everywhere - but unlike the MCC, there were no perogies, and it doesn't only happen once a year. It is on every Saturday from 0700-1pm, and if you want fresh baking, show up early. If you want crepes, be ready to stand in line. If you want Chinese food, there's a line for that too. Some of the stalls are showcases for stores with locations elsewhere in the city, but others are just family farms selling what's fresh. I didn't buy anything this time, as my grocery shopping is up to date, but even if you're just looking, at food or the various people there, it's definitely worth a few hours.
From there Stephanie and I stumbled upon a store Scott had mentioned - Doull's books. There's a common passion for used books among us, and stepping into that store was a preview of what heaven must be like. Seemingly endless rows and stacks of books, of every sort and variety, precariously organised according to the whimsy and jocular nature of the proprietor, with the smell of literature heavy in the air. And no shortage of ceiling sprinklers, either. While a given genre may have a slim selection, there's a veritable plethora of genres represented. Hali has no shortage of used book stores, and we found our ability to hunt them all down somewhat curtailed by an occasionally determined rain, but names were taken and notes were made. I'm sure we shall return, at various times throughout our school years, for endless diversion. If your name ends with "acheal," don't worry, I didn't buy anything there either, but it or stores like it may be worth a few moments of your time in future months...
We also stopped at a candy/toy shop just for the sheer otherworldliness of it, then poked around a largely closed mall under the Aliant building (finding another used bookstore! bonus!) before walking through St. Mary's Basilica (at Spring Garden and Barrington) to see the stained glass. It was very nice there, but our shoes were wet and the floor was stone, so there were some unintentional squeaks and such noises that hopefully didn't detract too badly from the prayers of the one or two people in the pews. We passed some time in the mall (called Park Lane) on Spring Garden, and waited out a hard rain in a nearby Timmy's before returning to our respective buildings. Apparently there's a semi-formal/semi-casual (depending who you ask) shindig coming up at the end of O-week, and Stephanie feels there may be a new dress in her future. This may necessitate exploring beyond walking distance - happily, our UPasses take effect next week so I'll be able to get accustomed to the bus routes and what they offer. It's nice to be able to get to know classmates ahead of time so perhaps we'll line up some fellow explorers and make a trip of it.
There's a social poker night coming up on Tuesday - a 1L chap named Amar is hosting, and I've volunteered to be the token beginner to have some of the luck. It'll be nice to see a broader selection of 1Ls, even if we're just in a living room, and I think I'm starting to ease into this new environment quite nicely. At least, that's the plan - we'll see just how nice this adjustment is when assignments hit.
No pictures today, I figured the rain would detract from the scenery. It did, but that doesn't reduce the photoworthiness of the farmer's market, used bookstores, or basilica. Perhaps another time, then, but for now, you get off lightly.
I suppose I'd best start dinner now, to help finalise my transition to Halifax time. So far I've been drifting between Manitoba and Ontario time, and with 0830 Monday morning classes (!) I suppose there's adjustments to be made...
Cheers,
A.
(* Interlude - there are some names and terms you'll see a lot of coming up. #L (where # = 1, 2, or 3) is a law student of year #. Weldon is the law building, Dunn library is the law library inside Weldon, Dal is of course Dalhousie, and Hali = Halifax, with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) including Bedford, Sackville, and Dartmouth. Scott is a fellow 1L in group A who lives in Cole Harbour and is a masterful tour guide and wonderful source of information. Stephanie Wong is a fellow 1L from Vancouver who lives nearby, and is in group C with me. Robie, South, Spring Garden, Barrington, University, Oxford, and Bayers are all major local roads. Spring Garden hosts a mini-mall and theatre, Bayers has Halifax Centre, a larger mall with a Walmart and other such larger stores, and the Mic Mac Mall is a #10 bus ride into Dartmouth, and it seems to be a pretty large mall if not the largest in the area. *)
Today was wet, but Stephanie and I braved the occasional rain for a chance to explore the Halifax Famer's Market, which is held in parts of the Alexander Keith's brewery and surrounding area. It's indoors, except for the odd sidewalk display, and very popular, and very eclectic. It's like a meeting place of every culture and food type in the HRM. There's everything from Asian teas to German bread, fresh farm produce and eggs to seafood and specialty meats. There's also Indian and Lebanese food, specialty cheeses and chocolates, honey and wax, buskers and musicians, and arts and crafts. It's like a very multicultural MCC sale held in a small, cozy maze of rooms and corridors, with different languages and clothing styles and musical instruments everywhere - but unlike the MCC, there were no perogies, and it doesn't only happen once a year. It is on every Saturday from 0700-1pm, and if you want fresh baking, show up early. If you want crepes, be ready to stand in line. If you want Chinese food, there's a line for that too. Some of the stalls are showcases for stores with locations elsewhere in the city, but others are just family farms selling what's fresh. I didn't buy anything this time, as my grocery shopping is up to date, but even if you're just looking, at food or the various people there, it's definitely worth a few hours.
From there Stephanie and I stumbled upon a store Scott had mentioned - Doull's books. There's a common passion for used books among us, and stepping into that store was a preview of what heaven must be like. Seemingly endless rows and stacks of books, of every sort and variety, precariously organised according to the whimsy and jocular nature of the proprietor, with the smell of literature heavy in the air. And no shortage of ceiling sprinklers, either. While a given genre may have a slim selection, there's a veritable plethora of genres represented. Hali has no shortage of used book stores, and we found our ability to hunt them all down somewhat curtailed by an occasionally determined rain, but names were taken and notes were made. I'm sure we shall return, at various times throughout our school years, for endless diversion. If your name ends with "acheal," don't worry, I didn't buy anything there either, but it or stores like it may be worth a few moments of your time in future months...
We also stopped at a candy/toy shop just for the sheer otherworldliness of it, then poked around a largely closed mall under the Aliant building (finding another used bookstore! bonus!) before walking through St. Mary's Basilica (at Spring Garden and Barrington) to see the stained glass. It was very nice there, but our shoes were wet and the floor was stone, so there were some unintentional squeaks and such noises that hopefully didn't detract too badly from the prayers of the one or two people in the pews. We passed some time in the mall (called Park Lane) on Spring Garden, and waited out a hard rain in a nearby Timmy's before returning to our respective buildings. Apparently there's a semi-formal/semi-casual (depending who you ask) shindig coming up at the end of O-week, and Stephanie feels there may be a new dress in her future. This may necessitate exploring beyond walking distance - happily, our UPasses take effect next week so I'll be able to get accustomed to the bus routes and what they offer. It's nice to be able to get to know classmates ahead of time so perhaps we'll line up some fellow explorers and make a trip of it.
There's a social poker night coming up on Tuesday - a 1L chap named Amar is hosting, and I've volunteered to be the token beginner to have some of the luck. It'll be nice to see a broader selection of 1Ls, even if we're just in a living room, and I think I'm starting to ease into this new environment quite nicely. At least, that's the plan - we'll see just how nice this adjustment is when assignments hit.
No pictures today, I figured the rain would detract from the scenery. It did, but that doesn't reduce the photoworthiness of the farmer's market, used bookstores, or basilica. Perhaps another time, then, but for now, you get off lightly.
I suppose I'd best start dinner now, to help finalise my transition to Halifax time. So far I've been drifting between Manitoba and Ontario time, and with 0830 Monday morning classes (!) I suppose there's adjustments to be made...
Cheers,
A.
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