Birthday Mother and Brothers

Mother (she's great, we should call her) recently had a birthday which I was lucky enough to be around for, and little bro Lance had the idea that instead of buying her something we should go somewhere with her, so we decided to take mom to Thanksgiving point gardens. It was really cool. I was really surprised at all they had done there. If you are around it is neat, and only about ten bucks a person for an adult, cheaper for kids. They also have a little cafe that is good and pretty reasonably priced, we got to sit outside and it was really pleasant. It was also really neat to go with mom because she told Lance and I so much about the plants that we saw. All in all I think this was more like Lance and I giving ourselves the gift of hanging out with mom, but I think she had a good time too. Happy Birthday Mother, we love you.

In case you have forgotten, Lance and I are brothers, and this is what we look like.

Renee is Messy, Mostly Wordless Wednesday

I need a little break, how about a post?

"Take a break from what?" You might ask. "Tax," I would say with a chuckle, but it would not be a "I just made a joke" chuckle, it would be a "I am only laughing to keep myself from crying" chuckle. Oh, wo is me. I guess that is a little dramatic, but I live in San Francisco, and needless to say, I see a lot of drama. I am not talking about the theater either. Anywho, I want this to be a short fun post, so I just added a picture below to let everyone see what studying tax is like. All accountants out there feel me I'm sure. Just for the record, that is not my textbook, that is the statute book. There is not a lot that is less fun than reading tax statutes, even though figuring out the double declining balance for depreciation adjustments for depreciable property used in a trade or business is as fun as it sounds, which is to say, not at all. One more day! Then hello Utah for a couple of weeks.

The End is Near, The Constitution and Daryl Hall and John Oates

Some people like the Constitution. Well, right now I HATE it. I think that is just the angst from yet another final being over. Con Law in this case if you haven't guessed. This was a hard test. It was the first absolutely closed book exam I have had in Law school, and that stinks. It was also two-thirds multiple choice. I know some of you are thinking out there, "Matt, shouldn't multiple choice questions be better? I mean they are giving you the answer to every question right on the page!" That may be so, but that does not make them easier. There are different levels of multiple choice questions. One of the questions we had the options went like this,
a. the Dormant Commerce clause applies
b. The Privileges and Immunities clause applies
c. Both clauses apply.
d. DCC applies, but not P&I
e. P&I applies, but not DCC
I hope that illustrates a little bit of how hard these questions can be. Plus they each have their own fact pattern. I am talking one question to a page. 22 questions to answer in two hours, and that might not be enough time, these are hard questions. In an essay question you can argue both sides, that's what law is, you argue both sides. Multiple choice stinks like a baby's diaper. Actual quotes heard after my test
"Maybe he has never written a closed-book exam before?" "Maybe he just hates his students."

On a brighter note, I have instituted my feel-better-quick remedy. This means that I put Hall and Oates' "You Make my Dreams (Come true)" on repeat on my ipod and then I drink a soda. Works every time, but maybe I am just easy to please. At least I am three quarters of the way done with my tests, and only one more final (Income Tax Law) stands between me and the completion of my first year of law school. Let the final push begin!