Top Ten Pieces of Information A Law Student Would Like to Keep Private

As I sit in my Right of Privacy class... I leave it to you to determine which of these might be true and which might not. (And I assure you, some are true.)


11. I hate coffee.

10. The best form of government is an enlightened dictatorship. (With no written laws to interpret.)

9. Highlighters are a tool of the Devil.

8. On the weekends I like to dance with monkees while wearing one of those old powder wigs and singing about the Constitution.

7. I find Ruth Bader Ginsberg to be "one hot mama."

6. I am illiterate.

5. I don't actually want to be a lawyer. In fact, I hate "the law."

4. I have the attention span of a fish.

3. I didn't do the reading for today's class. Or last week's class. Or, for that matter, any of the classes.

2. I've made a deal with Satan to get good grades in law school. (It's okay, I read through the contract very carefully.)

1. I occasionally *gasp* enjoy law school.

Right of Privacy Seminar

This class rocks. Our prof. (Attorney Daniel Klau) is an adjunct prof. with extensive practical experience in the field. We've spent the first hour of class talking about privacy in general, aspects thereof, expectations, what constitutes privacy, etc. The prof. is extremely knowledgeable and very capable of leading discussions. A nice, refreshing change from some other classes I've taken.

Here's a brief summary of the Syllabus:

• Common Law Right to Privacy: Private Facts and Intrusion


• Constitutional Privacy: Informational Privacy (4th Amendment, Beyond the 4th Amendment), Decisional Privacy


• Statutory Privacy: How Can Governments Best Assure Privacy, ECPA - Statutory Protection for Conversational Privacy, Privacy and the Internet, Privacy and Health Information


• Privacy in the Employment Context (if time permits)


• Philisophical Perspectives on Privacy Law

The coverage looks to be pretty broad and comprehensive. Although I probably should have expected as much when I signed up for the class, I didn't. Honestly, I didn't know quite what to expect but I was hoping for some emphasis on technological aspects of privacy. That looks to be a very minor component of the course, though now that I've met the prof. and sat through a portion of the class I'm not in the least bit upset or annoyed about my misconception. This one is probably in the running for "my best class of the semester."

Morning CNN Roundup

Hacker read Secret Service e-mails: "A hacker broke into a wireless carrier's network over at least seven months and read e-mails and personal computer files of hundreds of customers, including the Secret Service agent investigating the hacker."

Texas sues major spam operation: "Texas sued one of the world's largest spam e-mail operations Thursday, seeking millions of dollars from two men it says are responsible for sending illegal messages on the Internet, the state's attorney general said... The [civil] suit charges the operation with using misleading subject lines in e-mail messages and making misrepresentations in the body of the e-mail. [No criminal charges have been filed.]"

eBay fee changes spark revolt: "San Jose, Calif.-based eBay (Research) said Wednesday it would raise several fees for eBay Stores sellers Feb. 18. Among other things, the cost of a monthly subscription for a basic eBay Store will go up 60 percent to $15.95. The cost of 10-day listings will double to 40 cents, and final value fees that are assessed when a sale closes also will rise."

GPS hide-and-seek: "It's called geocaching, and all you need to play is a portable Global Positioning System, access to the Internet and a sense of adventure."

Rupert Murdoch's new game: Media mogul is looking hard at the video game industry. Is that a good thing? "[C]ould the future of the gaming industry be traditional media companies? ... Would this be a good thing for video game makers?"

IBM to give away 500 software patents: "U.S. patent leader IBM said late Monday it plans to donate 500 patents for free use by software developers, marking a major shift of intellectual property strategy for the world's top computer maker and a challenge to the high-tech industry... The 500 patents cover areas such as storage management, simultaneous multiprocessing, image processing, database management, networking and e-commerce."

Reasons I Need to Install a Fireplace (Or Start a Fire Without One)

I return to my apt. after class only to find a notice stuck in my door:

ATTENTION RESIDENTS OF ___:

WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BOILER FOR YOUR BUILDING. OUR CONTRACTOR IS WORKING ON THE SITUATION. WE SHOULD HAVE THE HEAT REPAIRED IN A FEW HOURS.

WE ARE VERY SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND WE THANK [sic].

My car reports the outside temperature as 3 Fahrenheit while Weather.com says its 5 but feels like -8. The temp. in my apt. is down to 61-62, colder by the windows.

I think I'm going to hide under my fleece blanket. Possibly make a mug o' tea. Possibly start some fires when the temp gets a bit lower. No?

The Blogroll

[Which is not a new sandwich bread but rather that column-thing to your left. Well, it's probably an actual "column with links in it" rather than a "column-thing" but it's definitely to your left. Unless you're reading this upside down. Or are drunk. Or terribly confused. If in doubt, smash monitor with forehead and all will become clear. Or broken. I lost the thread here, if indeed there was one to start with. If you happen to locate this wayward thread, please let me know. I shall pay you a handsome reward. Well, maybe not but I will be forever in your debt. Okay, maybe not that either. I'll provide a mystery reward. Maybe.]

I redid it a bit (the "column-thing"/"column with links in it"). Moved things around. Some up, some down, some sideways. (Hah! Just kidding.) Added the four I mentioned earlier. (And here I'm too lazy to relink them, especially since they were linked in an earlier post as a reminder. If you're really curious, either scroll down, look in the archives for last week or start clicking!) If I moved your link up, congrats! If I moved it down, rot in Hell. Well, I don't actually mean you any ill but I suppose "too bad" shall suffice. If it's of any consolation, I tried grouping like-minded links together in a better manner.

"Jury Pool from Hell"

Attorney meets the 'jury pool from [H]ell:'

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) -- Defense attorney Leslie Ballin called it the "jury pool from [H]ell."

The group of prospective jurors was summoned to listen to a case of Tennessee trailer park violence.

...[O]ne man got up and left, announcing, "I'm on morphine and I'm higher than a kite."

When the prosecutor asked if anyone had been convicted of a crime, a prospective juror said that he had been arrested and taken to a mental hospital after he almost shot his nephew. He said he was provoked because his nephew just would not come out from under the bed.

Another would-be juror said he had had alcohol problems and was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover officer. "I should have known something was up," he said. "She had all her teeth."

Another prospect volunteered he probably should not be on the jury: "In my neighborhood, everyone knows that if you get Mr. Ballin (as your lawyer), you're probably guilty." He was not chosen.

The case involved a woman accused of hitting her brother's girlfriend in the face with a brick. Ballin's client was found not guilty.

Only in Tennessee.

"I'm the tax man."

I'm sitting here in my Fed. Tax class listening to The Beatles' song: Taxman. Too amusing.

ADDENDUM: To clarify, my Fed. Tax Prof. had the song playing while he set up for class. [9:47 PM]

My Spring Classes

For my last semester of law school I will be taking the following:

• Copyright Seminar


• Federal Income Tax


• Right to Privacy Seminar


• The Legal Regulation of Art/Public Culture

As you can see it's a pretty IP-heavy schedule. The Copyright Seminar is one of the more popular classes on campus and should be fun. I feel like I already know a fair bit about Copyright, from my past classes and from my work experience, but I figure more can't hurt. (Can it?)

I'm taking Fed. Tax because I think I should. It would probably be good for me to know something about taxes and how to do my own tax return should I ever wish to do so. (Not that I do so wish or am inclined to do so.)

The Privacy Seminar is another one I'm not to sure about. I've already taken Media and the Law which dealt with some privacy aspects. Similarly, I don't imagine there's much one can do with privacy in the home, i.e. the bedroom, since it's a moderately stagnant topic. I'm hoping the course will hit some more technological areas since those are the emerging, controversial topics (in my opinion, at least).

The Art/Public Culture Seminar looks interesting. The books appear to cover such diverse topics as the National Endowment for the Arts, IP "ownership" of cultural aspects and technology. Plus I've had this professor before so I have a vague notion of how the class will be. Should be *very* interesting.

As you can see, I managed to take 3 seminars. I actually haven't had many before and I'm looking forward to them. My class schedule is nice, I only have classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I figure I'll work 3 hours on Wednesday and then all day Friday. That still leaves a three-day weekend, four if I cut Friday short. I'm afraid I'm going to need the days, though, since I have tons to do and a relatively short span of time in which to do them (the tons).

Today I have Copyright and Fed. Tax. Judging from the classroom assignments, it looks like I'll be able to post in Fed. Tax. Depending how stressful that class is, you may see a post from me tonight.

A Class Conversation I Would Like To See

[N.B. I found this while rifling through computer files. I don't think I posted it.]

Professor: Bob, what can you tell us about the next case?

Bob: I’m sorry but my lawyer forbids me from commenting until after the trial.

P: What?

B: I can’t talk about that case. Until after the trial that is.

P: You can’t talk about a search and seizure case relating to a murder weapon?

B: Right.

P: Because you have a case pending on that topic?

B: Yes.

P: And your lawyer forbids you from commenting?

B: Correct.

P: [Stunned silence.]

P: Okaaaaaay… Ummm… Sally, do you have a case pending on this topic?

Sally: No, my case settled.

Happy first day of Spring Semester Classes UConn Law!

Whoah.

Classes start tomorrow. Wow. Later I'll post what I'm taking. Right now I'm trying to get out of my apartment asap. Why am I posting? Good question. What is the sound of one hand clapping? Does a bear shit in the woods? Where is my pen? If you can answer all of those, you're good at answering questions.

Cattiness About Catwoman

Now hear this! Catwoman is coming out on DVD this Tuesday. If you are a masochist, purchase the movie and watch it repeatedly. (Note however that this blog will not be held responsible for any injuries sustained in the process. E.g. Gnawing one's arm or leg off, uncontrollable spitting and flatulence, hairballs.)

That is all.

Blind Date Is Blindly Hilarious

A few days ago I purchased Blind Date on DVD. This is an 80's Comedy (1987) starring Kim Basinger, Bruce Willis, and John Larroquette.

Modified IMDB Plot Summary:

Walter Davis is a workaholic. His attention is all to his work and very little to his personal life or appearance. Now he needs a date to take to his company's business dinner with a new important Japanese client. His brother sets him up with his wife's cousin, Nadia, who's new in town and wants to socialize. However, Walter fails to take seriously a warning that Nadia tends to lose control when drunk. Needless to say, what begins with a bottle of champagne ends with a night that Walter, and Nadia, is not likely to forget.

I really liked this one. It's absolutely hysterical! A true 80's comedy complete with Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger. John Larroquette as the ex-boyfriend is perfect! And Kim Basinger as an out-of-control, wild brunette? If you have to ask, you shouldn't bother. All I can say is that this is truly a hilarious 80's comedy and well worth a viewing/rental if you like the genre.

ALAN'S MOVIE REVIEW: DVD-Worthy if you like 80's Comedies.

Closer Is A Close Call

Closer stars Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen. Directed by Mike Nichols.

IMDB's Plot Outline stinks but I can't come up with anything better:

An intriguing story of passion, drama, love, and abandonment involving two couples, which only gets more complicated when the man from the first couple gets acquainted with the woman from the second coupling.

Personally, I liked this movie. I liked it a lot. Some people are very vocal about not liking it. Seems as though there's a sharp schism in peoples' reactions so know that though I like this one, you may not.

It's difficult to discuss without giving anything away but I'll try. The movie and characters are rather complicated. I think the running themes throughout are questions like: What is love? When are you "in love?" Do you need truth for a relationship to work? And what happens when you don't have that truth? Even those questions are pale imitations of the movie's efforts.

If nothing else, I can say that this is a movie that makes you think. Coming out of it, it had me thinking about relationships, truth and trust. Could I knowingly enter a relationship when the other person has cheated on a former boyfriend? What if that person cheated in order to be with me? Or does that destroy any lingering trust that might be? Tough questions with no good answers. And you'll notice I'm not discussing the movie so much but rather the effect it had on me. Just as I describe Garden State as a "dark romantic comedy" that had me laughing and thinking, Closer is a "dark romantic drama" that had me laughing and thinking. Not to say the two are really that similar but they certainly had a similar effect on myself.

Two quotes from the movie:

What's so great about the truth? Try lying for a change - it's the currency of the world.

Lying is the best thing a girl can do without taking her clothes off. But it's more fun if you do.

ALAN'S MOVIE REVIEW: DVD-Worthy (for me).

Life Aquatic Doesn't Sink But Doesn't Swim

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is from Writer/Director Wes Anderson who's brought you outher such films as Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and The Royal Tenenbaums. It stars Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Gambon, Noah Taylor, Bud Cort, Seu Jorge, Robyn Cohen, and Seymour Cassel.

IMDB Plot Outline:

Internationally famous oceanographer Steve Zissou and his crew--Team Zissou--set sail on an expedition to hunt down the mysterious, elusive, possibly non-existant Jaguar Shark that killed Zissou's partner during the documentary filming of their latest adventure. They are joined on their voyage by a young airline co-pilot who may or may not be Zissou's son, a beautiful journalist assigned to write a profile of Zissou, and Zissou's estranged wife and co-producer, Eleanor. They face overwhelming complications including pirates, kidnapping, and bankruptcy.

As with Wes Anderson's previous movies, this one is incredibly quirky and very reminescent, stylistically, of The Royal Tenenbaums. I wouldn't quite call it a downer or depressing but it's that same sort of middle-ground between happy and sad. Very tragic at times and very hopeful. Also very funny. You'll note, however, that I mention funny after the other attributes.

One small thing I want to mention. The movie uses CGI (computer generated images) for the various sealife you see, fish, horsefish, sharks, etc. I rather liked it. It looked surreal and fake but it fit very well. Made the movie itself seem surreal at those times, which I believe was the intended effect.

I don't think I really liked or disliked this movie. It falls into that rare "neutral zone" in my movie preferences. Humorous but also dark. Hopeful but very tragic. A meandering plot that barely resembles a plot at all. A goal without direction. All things that detracted from a truly enjoyable experience yet didn't make it "bad" or "awful." The best I can say is that if you liked The Royal Tenenbaums you *might* like this movie. Otherwise it's a pot shot.

ALAN'S MOVIE REVIEW: Rental-Worthy or Cable-Worthy.

Ocean's Twelve Is Only Eleven Plus One

Because I couldn't think of a better post title.

Ocean's Twelve stars everyone. Namely: Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Shaobo Qin, Bernia Mac, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Eddie Jemison, Elliott Gould, Vincent Cassel, Robbie Coltrane, Eddie Izzard, and Bruce Willis. That enough for ya? Directed by Steven Soderbergh.

IMDB Plot Outline:

Set three years after Ocean's 11, this sequel shows us Danny Ocean gathering up his complete gang of con artists and thieves from the first film in New York City before they all jet off to Amsterdam, Rome, and Paris to pull off three seperate heists. All the while, the boys must deal with increasing pressure from a very mad Terry Benedict, a dedicated Europol agent with a link to Rusty's past, and a mysterious French rival known as the "Night Fox." Will Ocean's crew reach their full potential and become the greatest thieves the world has ever known, or will they fall victim to Benedict's revenge? All bets are off.

This is going to be a quick review. Partly because I saw it about two weeks ago or so and partly because it's not deserving of much more. If you liked Ocean's Eleven, you'll probably like Ocean's Twelve. Nothing terribly new or exciting. Another caper, another plot, this time with another person, Catherine Zeta-Jones. It kept me awake and following but not too interested or involved. Just like the first movie, there's an "oh" moment at the end where everything is revealed, based on information you, the movie-watcher, were not provided previously. This one really just left me waiting for more. And it's no more than Ocean's Eleven so it disappointed me some. There you are.

ALAN'S MOVIE RATING: Rental-Worthy or Cable-Worthy.

A USB 2.0 External Hard Drive

It's so nice when new computer equipment installs and runs as it is "supposed" to.

A week ago I visited Best Buy, 10% off coupons firmly in hand. One was used purchasing a 160 GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive. I've been meaning to procure one for a while now to back up my desktop machine. (Its CD-RW Drive hasn't worked in a LONG time. Pretty much since I installed Windows XP on it over a year ago. Fortunately the DVD Rom Drive works just fine.) Yesterday I stopped by Best Buy again and purchased a USB 2.0 Card (since my desktop only has USB 1.0 on it -- USB 2.0 is 40x faster than USB 1.0).

Last night I installed the card and connected the hard drive. Hot damn if the computer didn't sense everything and have it up and working within minutes. MINUTES!!! Truly amazing. To think that computers have evolved to the point where they actually work as they are supposed to.

For the record, I know I'm just asking for some wonderfully cosmic irony to be lobbed in my direction now that I've lauded the ease of installation and functionality of my new toys. However, I already backed up the desktop to the hard drive so I'm moderately confident and a bit more secure about the desktop. I don't want it to crash but if it does it's not the end of the world. (Perhaps a more suitable response would be to say: "Please don't crash? I'd like to play more World of Warcraft.")

A Few Quotes To Start

[N.B. These are excerpts from e-mails I've trolled through. Now down to 98 pages of e-mails in my Inbox.]

I may start to develop "new," nonsensical quotes for fun.  One I just thought of:  'Confusion is in the eye of the beholder.'  Perhaps it would be considered a pun if it confuses someone?

Karma or no karma, beer remains.

"If it didn't end badly, it wouldn't have ended." -- Tom Cruise in Cocktail

New Year's Resolution (Plus)

I know it's a little late for this but I figure I'll give it a shot. Usually I don't bother with New Year's resolutions, partly because I don't like to promise things, even if only to myself, and not do them. Partly because I rarely have something so pressing to be done that I haven't already otherwise considered acting on it.

During breakfast this morning, I had a thought. The cleanliness or organization of my apartment appears to run in cycles, going from "actually clean" to "slightly disorganized" to "piles here and there" to "messy" to "downright very messy" to "refuse to invite other friends over any more" to "man, I really need to clean this place up" to "man, I really need to clean up this Hell-hole." (By the way, the point-of-no-mother-entry occurs between "piles here and there" and "messy.") At the moment, its current state is hovering around "man, I really need to clean this place up" with dips into the lower zone. In other words, it's time to do something.

My New Year's Resolution is to keep my apartment clean and presentable. (Of course this coincidentally entails cleaning up the damn thing in the first place, something I am not looking forward to and-obviously-have been putting off for quite some time.)

As an aside, this year looks to be particularly interesting, more so than the previous two. Find a job. Sit for the Patent Bar (again). Finish/write the SRP. Classes. Possibly a Spring vacation. Class exams. Law school graduation. The Bar Exams (planning on CT and NY). A vacation of some sort. Work begins in earnest. At least two weddings to attend in the Fall (and I'll probably need to find a date/dates for those).

Looking at that list, it's 2 weeks into the year and I haven't even begun to work on anything yet. Not good. I need to get my ass in gear pronto. Actually, I'm not sure if I want to put my ass anywhere in close proximity to any gears or other mechanical components. Wonder where that idiom came from. Maybe it's just time to get a move on.

As Tom Petty so elegantly put it:

It's time to move on, time to get going
What lies ahead I have no way of knowing
But under my feet, baby, grass is growing
It's time to move on, it' s time to get going.

So it is armed with this "new" goal for the year that I confidently step forward into another Season of Mists.