Ah yes. Thwarted once again. I saw some mozarella di bufala at Trader Joe's yesterday. Legit mozarella di bufala di campana at that (the IP nerd in me also wants to point out the whole GI thing). I got it despite the fact that all of my previous attempts at buying the stuff at various grocery stores have been disasters. Seriously, some of the stuff I've gotten at Albertson's was most definitely rotten and that's a problem.

This one didn't taste bad. It was actually kind of decent. The consistency was bizarre though, so I ended up giving it to Chabba.

Depressing. Need to go back to Italy for the good stuff.

The MPRE is currently the bane of my existence right now. That and OCI stuff, but there aren't really many firms hiring 3Ls this year, so I really don't have many places to apply to. There aren't even enough options for me to use up all of my bids. Oh well. The MPRE really is a drag though.

It's okay, though. The new Arcade Fire is out. Was listening to the stream earlier today and just got it from Amazon (yay Daily Deal). I'll be listening to it or a lot of tomorrow and now I have some awesome study music.

I'm fighting with my laptop right now. Apparently through all of the computer crashes that I've gone through in the last year (and I've gone through quite a few of them), I neglected to really back up any of my job search materials. I suppose I could go through my emails and look for the stuff I sent out to various orgs and stuff, but it's all in pdf. I'll have to go turn them into word docs or something. Annoying.

Anyway, while scouring through my external hard drive (and remembering that I was long past due for a backup), I ran into a lot of old applications and essays, etc.

For instance, when I was applying to internships through UCDC, this was part of the writing sample that I sent out to all the green groups:

"Over the past two years, the protecting the environment has been something that I thought was important to an absolute passion. While there was one time in my life where I could sit on the sidelines and wait for people to fix the problem for me, I have lately realized that we can never achieve any of our goals and solve any of our problems with such an attitude. As I have said before, right now is the time that we need to start embracing the solutions to global warming and I want to be part of the solution."

This is from a different one:

"I have spent a lot of the past few years doing some soul searching, as all good undergraduates should, and this was a topic that I have spent a considerable amount of time on. Superpowers aside, why do I really want to be a superhero? I have to admit that I am a bit of a chicken, despite however adventurous I may try to be, so I do not know if I could even fight epic battles against my arch nemeses. And a cursory glance at any of the most famous superheroes (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wolverine, etc.) tells me that the life of a superhero is a very isolated and lonely life. My great desire to become a superhero really boils down to two things: I want to help others and save the world."



I've always been and still very much am a bit of an idealist, but hot damn. Thing is, I know that this was not BS. Did law school break my spirit (or was it another three years of frustration and a murdered climate bill that did it)? I feel like I've abandoned a major part of me since coming to law school. (Side note, but I'm also kind of sad that I later had to tone down the superhero theme when I reused it for my law school apps.)

No, I think that idealism just moved onto a different venue, one that doesn't quite have the sexy "I'm saving the world" vibe to it that being an environmental activist had. I just get excited when the Library of Congress announces exemptions to the DMCA now, I suppose.

This summer is going by way too fast. Less than a month before school starts and I still have so much to do. It's absolutely nuts.

Weekend of soccer, chicken coops and music. I think it was a productive one, yeah? We saw the Earthquakes play a friendly against Tottenham on Saturday afternoon. We actually played pretty well, a lot better than I expected. Granted, playing well is relative after a summer of the World Cup, but they definitely played a good game. Was a little frustrating. They had plenty of good opportunities to get the ball in and missed them. Tie game in the end, but still fun to watch. We're contemplating getting season tickets next year.

Came home and helped Oppa and James build a chicken coop. Yeah, James's wish to raise chickens might actually come true. With the raccoons in the area, though, I'm not sure if it's going to end well. Kind of nervous to find out.

Went to Oakland last night and met up with Dinah to see the New Pornos and The Dodos. It was a fun show. They're kind of fantastic live and I really need to see Neko Case once. She was so amazing. Was trying to write something up for the other blog. Not much is coming, so I might just crank something out at some point and post pictures.

Now I'm tired. I've discovered that I actually did finish grading all the Writing Competition entries. I didn't really get much of anything else done. Really need to start cracking with journal. Gah. So tired though. I'll save that stuff for tomorrow.

Also I got my Treasure Island ticket for the Sunday show. So expensive.

Did I mention that I hate spiders? Seriously, they are the worst. This place is a haven for spider and during the last few weeks, I've had some run-ins with some pretty epic spiders that probably can kill me. Means that while I've been a lifelong fan of night showers, I've definitely held off for the morning recently. Like tonight.

Am I a chicken? Probably, but whatever. They are the worst.

It's finally over. I guess I have to go back to all of my normal obsessions. I actually didn't mind either way who won this game, but I went in rooting for the Netherlands for several reasons. I thought they played consistently better than Spain, was still a little grumpy at Spain's beating Germany (okay, they deserved that win), I put money on the Netherlands, wanted to prove Paul the Octopus right, and I figured the parties would be all sorts of crazy in Amsterdam if they won. In the end, I'm glad Spain won. I really didn't like the way the Dutch played this game and Spain played a good game. To be honest though, I thought the Germany-Uruguay game was much more entertaining. I was kind of depressed that Klose didn't get to beat Ronaldo's record and the German team really didn't have their hearts in it, but it's been so much fun watching Forlan play.

Been a good, if not short, weekend. Saw Sir Paul McCartney in concert last night. That was kind of amazing and he did a lot more Beatles songs than I thought he would. World Cup partying both yesterday and today (way too much food today). Gianni and Laura came up for the weekend. Tomorrow it's back to work and real dieting. Also seeing Miggs tomorrow night. It's been too long since I've seen them.

Got back a couple of days ago from one of those SoCal weekends where I got to see some people and relive the relaxing and carefree days of undergrad life. Kind of. Also, we got in a fight with the staff at a restaurant in Diamond Jamboree.

Can't believe the week is almost over. Nor can I believe that the last of the teams that I've been rooting for has been eliminated from the World Cup. Germany put up a good run. It's too bad Paul the Octopus sealed their fate. Also, they probably should have not been sleeping during their match with a surprisingly strong Spain. I guess I'm wearing orange on Sunday to root for the team that I have distant blood ties to. Also, they played a lot better than Spain overall.

MPRE is fast approaching. Might want to start studying for that on my BART rides to/from the city instead of playing Pokemon. Don't want to have to take it more than once. And I should also get around to finishing grading those competition entries. Such a bother. Deadline is fast approaching though. Crazy.

Other random tidbit of today, I actually bought music today. Hasn't been happening much this summer (especially compared to last summer). I got The Like's new album. I like it a lot more than their first. It's super 60s poppy and very catchy. It was between that and the Blitzen Trapper album, which I will get around to buying eventually. I think the only reason I chose The Like is because I've had Release Me stuck in my head for the last few days.

Anyway, it's getting late. Probably time for bed.

It's Chris' birthday in 27 minutes. Exciting.

I've also experienced major laundry fail. Now have a lot of tinted yellow clothing. Yay? I hate doing laundry.

Oh, in more entertaining news, we bought mini passes to see four Earthquakes games. Get to see them play Galaxy...was so hard trying to get tickets for that. Speaking of which, life was sad today without any World Cup games.

Back to folding laundry. At least I'm folding laundry to David Bowie.

No more posting long incoherent posts before I go to bed.