A contract is a contract

Or so I thought. I have my contracts final this evening. However, it's 10:40 a.m. and I don't know what a contract is. Really. There seem to be no bright line rules. Decisions turn on 'as justice requires' or standards of 'reasonableness.' What does that mean? As my professor says though, it's the ambiguity wherein lawyers make their money.

Anyway, here's to a productive day!

Sunday

Spent the day studying - reading and rereading my outline for my Wednesday final. So ready for this to be over.

I went over to Tony's place to go through a couple of old exams. Mira joined. Tony made dinner - Israeli couscous, peppers, olives, feta all broiled with a bit of olive oil. Very tasty. Never had that type of couscous before - quite meaty. What a place Tony has!!! It's a first floor, non street level, studio with sunken living room/bedroom. The kitchen is amazing. He has a piano and books galore. I was in awe. And he owns. But apparently the super took offense to my having brought a Red Sox hat into his building.

Now, home, about to conk out for the day.

Shortly after I arrived home, Ursula, Philip, and Anne came back and told me of their day - in Siegleresque excruciating detail. Apparently, no dim sum. Instead they went to Malecon for lunch - a nice Dominican restaurant - and hit up the Garden Cafe later on for dinner.

Okay, really, time for bed. Go Schluffy.

Rather do dim sum

Anne, Ursula, Philip, Allison, and Darian are headed out to dim sum in Chinatown for lunch. Without me. I'll be doing practice exams all day. I'd rather be eating dim sum. But of course, I'm, as always, cramming in the material. It's crazy. I should have learned by now. But, alas, I'm studying and not eating dim sum.

Joan

I'm not quite working just yet. Wanted to write a bit about Joan - the other woman I've been seeing for the past 2 years. She's roughly 90 years old and a holocaust survivor. We see each other as often as possible - she lives just a few blocks away. Mostly homebound if no one to help her with the doors in her building - I enjoy spending a few hours a month walking, talking, and sitting with her. She likes watching me climb on the playground monkey bars.

We're to see each other again tomorrow morning, but don't think we'll be headed outside. I think her health has not been on the up side lately. So, we'll likely sit and talk in her apartment. She'll offer me a mini juice box and I'll sip it. She'll ask me about my days and I'll ask her about her time in Germany and what it was like moving to NYC without knowing a soul. She often repeats the same stories, but they become more and more incredible each time. What she went through, what she became, what she now has. It's all amazing. She came to the U.S. without knowing English, became a dentist, and raised a beautiful family. Now widowed and three hip operations in, her young self screams out with wit and wisdom.

I'd like in the future to write down some of her stories. Maybe I'll post them here.

Saturday morning

Since yesterday was almost a total waste, with no work being completed, I've set myself up for a big day of studying. But first, Anne and I went to the farmer's market for some apples - taking the long route on up Payson avenue.

Payson avenue is tucked away along the south east corner of Inwood Hill park. A peaceful little street, lined with woods - and row houses with beautiful windows. If we had the means, we'd live there. The homes go for over a million dollars though and we'd be stretched a bit too thin if we went for that.

After the market, we made our way down Broadway and I introduced Anne to De Cafe - we had coffee and agreed Anne's father would enjoy his morning espresso there when he comes in next month. It's a great place. But I'm hopeful the small space will not limit their viability. It seems much of their business is centered around meals, but the interior is not large - the seating looks uncomfortable. The chairs have no backs. But, as Anne said, there are plenty of people who will want a quick bite to eat and won't mind. I hope she's right - the coffee is good and cheap. Would hate to see it fail.

Later today Anne has friends from Switzerland coming into town. They'll be with us until Tuesday. Ursula was an exchange student who stayed with Anne and family in Wisconsin during high school. They've remained close friends and have visited each other several times. Ursula married Philip. So Philip will be staying with us as well. Unfortunately I'll be studying or in a bad mood because I'm not studying during their stay. So, I figure I'll only be able to spend a limited time with them.

Okay, enough for this morning - must study. Really, get on with it!

De Cafe

I went on a little stroll this evening for pizza at Grandpa's - eh, it did the job. But $8 for a 2 slices and a drink? That's a little much. But, on my way back, I went into a new coffee shop called De Cafe. What a place. It's small, cozy, and a real-life coffee shop - something we're definitely missing here in Inwood. There is free wi-fi and they make their own mozzarella. The prices seemed reasonable and the kitchen, small as it is, seems to have quite a menu.

On my way back, I stopped into a local bodega on Dyckman and had a fruit smoothie - papaya, mango, strawberry, condensed milk, vanilla - Mmmm. $3 and well worth it. It rivals Noemi, the juice place next door, and is 2/3 the price.

While sipping the smoothie, I sat on a bench along the ring garden (which Anne and I just joined!) and spoke with Reynaldo. He's going to Taiwan this summer!!! He's going to teach English there for at least a year and try and pick up Mandarin. I'm so excited for him. And he couldn't be happier for me when I told him about my becoming a park ranger this summer.

For now, I'm off - going to relax a bit and try and do a bit of work. I've had a great, albeit unproductive day.

A bit off . . .

My last post was during August of 2006!!! Jeez . . ., what have my fans thought? Will they ever forgive me?

Okay, here is my vow: I will post with relative frequency.

Okay, really, I HAVE to study. Bye!

An overdue update

It's well over a year since my last post - maybe less. Since I last posted, I've started law school and have decided it's not even close to my bag. I could blame it on working and going to school at the same time, blame it on the commute, but, in reality, all the blame should rest attending without a clear idea of what I wanted out of the experience. I decided to go to law school out of a lack of other options. I never wanted to be a lawyer. I'm not failing out (actually, I did relatively well). I'm glad it's almost over. I have two exams left and my last class was last night. Roughly 15 days until I won't have to study any longer. Thank goodness.

In other news, I am going to take leave without pay from work this summer and work as an Urban Park Ranger for the NYC Parks Department. The only downside is that I'll have to wear a Smokey the Bear hat. Otherwise, I'm going to get to spend the summer out of doors, leading nature hikes and overnight camping trips in the City's parks system. Did you know that 14% of NYC is covered by park land?

I'm particularly excited because I've been less than satisfied with work over the past few years. I've never been happy behind a desk. This was reflected in my day-to-day happiness - I should have left the job years ago.

Anne and I are still happily living in NYC - loving our apartment and enjoying the friends we've made along the past two years here. Anne will be graduating from her masters program in just over a month and I couldn't be more proud of her.

My sister was married this past July to a wonderful man and they're living back home on Long Island.

My folks have moved down to Florida - following the natural migration pattern for the Long Island Jewish community. Anne and I visited a couple of months ago and are in love with our new vacation home!!!

My brother is still living in Buffalo - having just entered a graduate program in the sciences - I'm jealous. I heart Buffalo.

For now, that's the update. I would love to continue writing, but have to study for my contract's final this coming Wednesday.

I hope to keep up this blog - it's nice to look back and remember.