Haha, legal humor.

(man, I miss my access to Westlaw's forms.  Sigh.  All I need is a good force majeure clause that is clearly boilerplate, because I'm not crazy about the one I have in front of me.  Maybe I'll go check out the PA Bar's free legal research service)

Also, I hate my oven with a passion.  I'd say "KILL IT WITH FIRE," but it likes fire.  KILL IT WITH ICE.

I've been listening to my ThouShaltNot collection on repeat for the last week or so.  Sigh.  I need them to go on tour soon, it's been forever since I've seen them (okay, two years, but I once saw them twice in two months.  I never get tired of them). 

For the dollie people - I'm in the process of getting Cavel cleaned up (I only have half a hand and an arm/hand left) so I can sell her.  If you know anyone looking for a Custom House Ai Choa (new body), could you direct him/her to me?  Thanks :)  It'll be the full doll (with face-up), Custom House dress, two wigs, three pairs of eyes, and two pairs of shoes.  I'm starting at $580, but I'm willing to negotiate.

The reason I'm selling Cavel now is that I bought a new laptop today.  I was honestly there to buy a netbook--I've played with several, and I really, really like them.  BUT . . . I'm also going to sell my desktop, so this will be my only computer.  I was worried it would just be too small for me to write legal documents on, and with the 15% restocking fee at Best Buy, I would have to pay to return it.  So, I went with the second-cheapest Toshiba, which I'm actually pretty happy about.  Dual-core processor, 160GB hard drive, free upgrade to Windows 7 (necessary, because I refuse to use Windows Vista one second longer than I have to--this was the reason I didn't get the cheapest one), no necessity of also purchasing a $100 optical drive to play my CDs . . . I can't think of much else I really need.  The netbook would have come standard with Windows XP, but it's not really built to handle much else besides the internet, and I need some serious word processing capabilities if I'm going to follow through with my own law firm.

So, anyway, the laptop was $100 more than I wanted to spend, so I had to start getting Cavel ready now.  Also, I'm selling my Dell Dimension desktop--$200, willing to negotiate (both the CD drive and DVD drive are broken).

Okay.  I figured out the tax ramifications, and they're not bad at all.  I'm also 90% certain I don't need to incorporate yet, but I will definitely do so if I make this full-time (if I'm going to litigate, in addition to the malpractice insurance, I don't want to be personally liable.  You wouldn't BELIEVE some of these people, especially now).  I just need to read the ethics rules again, because I'm held to them just as much as the tax laws.

So, yeah. I'm going to offer wills and document review to start, but I would also LOVE to offer copyright and trademark services.  I need to figure out how to get admitted to the Federal Circuit and the PTO (also, the Eastern District of PA).  But, I can totally start by giving advice at a discount.

Would you guys trust "affordable" legal services from a new lawyer who is trying to start her firm?  What kind of services would you need right now?  Not that I would hold you to it, but I want to get a good idea of the things people want to pay for.  Right now, I'm only offering what I know I can do well, but I can research and do pretty much anything.

Sale at Good Goth.  Check out those shoes . . . *drool*

Is it just me, or do new laptops these days not have s-video ports?

(I'm a little sick of Josh taking the laptop to work every night, because that leaves me with the desktop in the living room, which cannot be taken to bed for comfy anime-watching purposes.  So, I want to sell my desktop and buy a laptop (or a netbook + external disc drive + external hard drive), but some kind of port to get anime on my tv is a must)

Why am I not eating here EVERY DAY?  Oh, right, it's 1.5 hours away, at least.  Sigh.  Next time I got into NYC, though . . .

EDIT: Hmm, maybe I'll just make this at home in the meantime.

At this point, you probably won't hear from me until June unless I am contacting you specifically about something wedding-related, you are at the wedding, and/or you are on the cruise ship.  You are all awesome, but I am swamped.

<3s all around.

1. The bridal shower was excellant.  THANK YOU to everyone who came, sent something, and/or helped in any way.  It was awesome, and I love you all!

2. The Flyers won, yay! 

3. I am slowly starting to realize that if this many attorneys continue to be laid off, I will have no choice but to find a town with no attorney and open my own office (with the accompanying small business loan) OR get an education degree and teach high school social studies.  I cannot think of any other solutions.  Whom do I talk to about what do to?  My job coach is for getting a job at some place that already exists, and an accountant would just manage my money.  What sort of person helps me figure out what job path will keep me from living on the street?

I almost never comment on news stories or anything like them (I mean in the comments section of the story, not here.  I comment here a lot), but . . . I suspect they are going to butcher Vampire Diaries.  Are last names REALLY being changed?  Seriously?  Is that necessary in any way?  Elena won't be blonde?  Bonnie won't be a redhead?  WTF?

"But Kris, those are small things, why do you care?"

If they're so small, why change them in the first place?  There is a set story in those books, and it's a great story.  There is no REASON to change the things that have already been changed. If you've already got a good story that has fans and that doesn't have questionable content (at least, not in the first four books), there is no reason to change anything aside from things that are necessary to make the transition to live action television. 

I've been waiting for this for over a decade.  I will cry if they botch this.

In other news, Josh and I are going to see Dragonball: Evolution tonight.  That is what I get for attaching myself to a Dragonball fanboy.  Oh, well.

You guys, it breaks my heart that I'm not working as a lawyer.  I'm serious.  I read things like this and it makes me cry--I should be out there STOPPING THIS.  ARGH.

Aw man, I still don't want to talk about it.  Someday--hopefully after I have a nice, cushy attorney job somewhere on the 30th floor of some highrise--I will tell you all about how I felt at this point in time.  Suffice to say, I've gone beyond upset to numb and vaguely guilt-ridden.

Nightfall is addictive.  There are issues with both jumpiness and deus ex machina-ism, but on the whole, I can't put it down.  Damon, with depth!  (and he's exactly the way I was expecting!)  Elena, tolerable and also kind of resembling Sailor Moon!  And . . . although I can't say for sure yet because I'm not done . . . A SHIP I'VE BEEN WAITING 13 YEARS FOR!  Well, I guess not the whole time because half of that time my VD OTP was me and Damon (OMG, I'll write a book about it!  It will be called Twilight!)*, but this is close enough.

Sigh.  I'll be staying here for Easter, which will be a little strange, but I think I'm going to make the traditional (at my church) sausage casserole and take it to Josh's aunt's house for brunch.

Oh, I went to volunteer at the women's shelter legal clinic last week--I loved it.  Skills that I have can HELP PEOPLE!  And I love using those skills!  OMG, it was amazing!  I can't believe I'm meant for anything else besides law, this just felt so good.  There are these poor women who believe the lies their husbands tell them about the legal system ("You can't divorce me, the court will give me the kids because of XYZ reason!"), and I get to help explain how the courts actually work and watch them get stronger right in front of me.**  It combines so many of my favorite things, it's not even funny.  I wish I could pay my bills doing nonprofit work for a living.

Now I'm doing some research for a family friend from church who works for Legal Aid, in the areas of child custody and Social Security benefits.  My l33t online research skillz have abandoned me, though.  I have to make a phone call tomorrow, and I really hope I don't have to make the same phone call to every county in Pennsylvania o.O  There are a lot, we're a big state.


*If Twilight were a Vampire Diaries fic, Stefan would be Edward Cullen, and you all know how much I dislike both Stefan Salvatore and Edward Cullen.  I was making the "Twilight is an extended vampire fanfic" joke, not the "I want to marry Edward Cullen and become a vampire and have a half-vampire infant who will immediately want to do my werewolf buddy" joke.  Oh, if only Twilight were a joke . . .

**I am still not a feminist, though.  Sorry.

This fellow is going to be Damon Salvatore.  I have no clue how good an actor he is, but DAMN, he looks just like the Damon in my mind.

Also, I am three chapters into Nightfall.  Early impressions:

• Stefan still gets on my nerves like whoa.
• Elena is slightly less annoying, but appears to have been around Bella Swan too long in the primordial fiction soup.
• Damon Salvatore is still one of only two men who would have a shot at stealing me from Josh (the other one, of course, is Rock Lee).
• L.J. Smith has mostly brought her writing ability up to the level of her character- and world-creation abilities.  I am thoroughly impressed.  Also, she is still wonderful at plotting out the story--at three chapters in, I already want to read the entire thing tonight.  I LOVE that it's so big, because that means there's more Damon for me <3

Things are looking cleaner around here, but it'll all be ruined when I do laundry today. 

I went into work yesterday to make up for the snow day on Monday, so yay one day weekend :/  But, I'm getting my full 40 hours in my paycheck next week, and that's what counts, right?

Speaking of money that I spend as soon as I get it, we're going to pay off the rest of the honeymoon next week <3  We've been looking at all the excursions we can add to the package, but we have until the cruise itself to pick them.  So much fun!  We are limited by money and the desire to relax, but we will be doing probably three to four things.

We saw Watchmen in IMAX on Friday night, which was awesome.  It looked exactly like the way the movement in my head looked when I was reading the graphic novel.  I was a little sad about losing the parts which had to be removed for the sake of the movie not being four hours long, but their removal did make the last half hour a little confusing to those who had not read the comic.  However, the opening credits were inspired, and most of the movie was spot on and captured the feel of the comic perfectly.

Oh!  I almost forgot!  Thank you winkingstar for the postcard!!  I thought it was Longwood at first *lol*  I'm seriously considering going to D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival, so maybe I can try to go see the garden!

New season of ANTM started last week!  Yay!

Problem solved--my company closed its NJ offices today.  We only got about 5 inches here, but apparently NJ got hit hard.

"TRAVEL WILL BE VERY HAZARDOUS INTO MONDAY AND ANY PLANNED TRAVEL SHOULD BE POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER THE STORM ENDS."

I'm thinking I may not go to work even if we aren't closed.  We only had a delayed opening once this year, and on that ONE day, someone hit me at a stop light, so I don't think I want to push it (you didn't hear about it because it was pretty much nothing, since I drive a tank Buick).  Sigh.  If I were on the team of people who goes in no matter what for a HUGE salary increase, I would totally do it, but alas.  I'm not necessarily worried about getting there so much as getting home, but then again--I don't know if I want to take the risk.  But I would also like to get paid.  I don't know.  I wish it just wouldn't snow at all.

I'm trying to catch up on cleaning, but I have no interest in it.  Every time I get one thing cleaned, I have to go on to something else, and by the time I get done there. the first thing needs cleaning again.  And the neverending laundry!  Argh!

We've got tickets to see Watchmen in IMAX on Friday night, which I am very excited about.

And that's pretty much it.  I don't know, I've felt very anti-social and blah recently.  I wish all the chores didn't exist so I could spend an entire day in bed with a book and some snacks.  If I don't go to work tomorrow and he can make it home, we're going to watch Slapshot and then the Lord of the Rings movies, so I kinda hope that happens.

(I've had this post half-finished for weeks.  I'm SO SUPER LAZY right now.  But, this is the closest thing to free time I've had in forever, and I'm enjoying it)

I've been on super high octane energy levels for like three months because of various things, but I think I can relax now.  I'm going to feel so much better in a week or so, I swear.

But, then again, in about a month and half, I will be ready to scratch someone's eyes out.  See, in order to wear a veil with a comb, one must have HAIR.  Now, I could have purchased a veil with a headband, but that interferes with tiaras, and I wanted a tiara.  Also, there are not many of them, and I wasn't thrilled with the selection.  So, there is a comb.  Great.  Except--I have no hair.  :/  My hair is frequently shaved instead of cut.  Sigh.  So, did you figure it out yet?  I was going to get my hair cut in February and go in with three-four months growth, but haircuts cost money and take up time, and it has to be long anyway . . . yeah.  I will be SO MISERABLE until it all gets cut off again.  I may go on May 24, we'll see.  But OMG, a veil!  In MY hair! <3

My friends, family, and fiance were extra super awesome last week.  I got my first wedding presents via mail (they are still unopened, don't worry), I got Valentine's Day candy from my parents, Josh bought me books even though we said we wouldn't get each other anything for Valentine's Day, cissasghost lent me Undone,  and amatyultare got us a great Christmas gift that included Nightfall!  OMG THE FIRST NEW L.J. SMITH IN YEARS!  (FYI, fans--it looks like they re-released Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor in November.  Sigh.  There goes my geeky claim to fame of owning both of them.  But at least I have original printings?).  See all of the AWESOME?  I need to talk about the assorted books at some point.  Undone was phenomenal (most likely due to the extra dose of editing talent, of course ~_^  Well, that and Rachel Caine is just plain great), I'm almost done with Lord of Misrule, and Nightfall is next-ish.  I have to read a book that I was lent by someone with whom I had a job interview (no joke, the guy and the firm were great).  Okay, I need to stop with the accolade paragraph, because I'm running out of adjectives.

Let's see.  I paid federal and PA taxes tonight, I think I don't need to pay VA, and I'm waiting to hear back from NJ if they want my money too.  Paying taxes always makes me even more Republican than usual.  WTF, Ed Rendell, why do you need to take my money when I made so little? I'm embarrassed to even say the figure, but YOU need to tax it to pay for your ridiculous mafia casinos that none of us want?!  Hmph.

Um . . . three months until the wedding!  Yay!  Things are going well.  Now we need to get the boys into tuxes, and I have to buy a few things yet, but we're moving along.  Josh and I had picked a first dance song that we were both ambivalent toward (we thoroughly disagreed on each other's favorites, so we compromised on the first song we ever danced to, even though it really had nothing to do with us).  But, we heard a song on the radio during date night at Sonic (YES OMG WE HAVE A SONIC IN PENNSYLVANIA!) that it turned out we had both been secretly considering <3  So, a new song is had.  I'm happy with it., it makes me cry.  You will, of course, find out what it is on May 23.

The tree kittens are doing fine.  I have pictures of Zechs out on his leash playing in the snow, that's cute.  They'll go up on Facebook once I get a whole bunch to put up in one album.  Relena is still kind of evil, but we think Zechs may be the criminal.  He can break and enter into the closets, and he has a record of credit card theft.  Don't trust the fluffy ones . . .

Josh and I are not living in a box yet, which is good.  After last month eviscerated our bank accounts (my car broke, his car insurance was due, etc.), I was in panic attack mode, but this month has been a lot better.  We're even planning on doing some things for fun!  We're going to see Watchmen in IMAX on opening night with our friends, and we're considering going to see TNA Lockdown in April.  We may also go see the Phillies, I don't know.  I need to get the form back soon if we do that, though.  I'd rather see the Flyers again, to be honest >_>

Also, randomly, ThouShaltNot has updated their website.  Two new songs this year!  One on the second Dark Cabaret cd, and one on a cancer benefit cd (first, goth bands helping people is beyond awesome, because the scene seems to promote selfishness more often than doing good, and I don't enjoy being around that sort of thing.  Second, I've heard "Sick" in concert, and it's amazing).  Also, twenty songs on the new album?!  Really?  I thought they were cutting some!  I want all twenty, yay!  I hope this producer doesn't try to change my band, though . . . I <3 TSN like whoa.

( Mongols! )

Earlier tonight, I turned in my last CLE assignment!  WOOOOOOO!  Free time!

To celebrate, I signed myself up for more activities today *headesk*  I think I'm allergic to relaxation.  But, I'm excited, and the timing of the opportunity is suspiciously perfect.  So, I hope you soon hear about me volunteering at a legal clinic for victims of domestic violence.  I get to help other people, while showing employers that I am committed to the law even if I'm not working as an attorney at the moment.  See, when you help others, it's a win-win situation! 

Also, tonight I attempted to exercise my decision to be more firm about my wedding choices.  It backfired.  Sigh.  I'm just not cut out to ignore other people's feelings--yet I'm totally cut out to be bossy and controlling.  I AM A PARADOX. 

"The CW is collaborating with publisher Alloy Entertainment on a one-hour drama pilot adapted from the book series The Vampire Diaries. Kevin Williamson (Scream) will write and executive produce, working alongside Julie Plec (Kyle XY); Warner Bros. Television and Alloy Entertainment will produce."

YES THIS IS REAL.

As I've noted before, despite the horrible overcrowding of the the urban fantasy market, there are certain authors and franchises to whom I will never say no.  Chief among them are L.J. Smith and particularly the Vampire Diaries--my first favorite author and my first favorite series.  Damon Salvatore is to this day my favorite book (anti-)hero (I first read these books in 7th grade, mind you), and I'm constantly wishing I had enough time to re-read them.  They have been re-released recently, and if you haven't read them, I highly recommend it.  The writing techniques are not stellar, but L.J. Smith (I think she goes by Lisa Jane Smith now, but back in the day it was L.J.) creates subtly fascinating worlds and characters like nobody's business.  I've been interested in everything she's written.

Ooooooooooooo, this is SO AWESOME!  I'm even more excited about this than about True Blood. 

amatyultare</lj>  pointed out that the first book in the sequel series comes out very soon.  OMGWTFBBQ I R POOR! I hope the library has it . . . (I wouldn't have bought a hardcover anyway, but still.  It's the PRINCIPLE OF THE THING).

EDIT: As expected, the library does not have the new book.  Sigh. I have inquired as to how I go about making book suggestions.  This is why I prefer to buy books, given the funds.  (a couple weeks ago, I got lectured on how it's evil and stupid to buy books, and I'm likely to go to Hell for it.  Well, I guess that's an exaggeration, but I felt very defensive.  WHY would someone feel the need to lecture about buying books?  Aren't there bigger faults someone could have?  I guess I should be happy I apparently don't have any of them, though.  At any rate, buying books helps me when I am sad.  Soon I will totally snap and go and buy tons of books, and it will feel awesome for like five minutes until I remember the reason why I'm not buying any right now in the first place).

Zechs like to carry things around the house in his mouth, but we always thought Relena would be the little thief.

But, earlier tonight, I heard Josh yell at Zechs, so I went to see what happened.  I had seen Zechs in another room, but didn't think anything of it.  It turns out that Zechs stole Josh's credit card and carried it into the other room to hide under catnip fishy (a fabric fish filled with catnip that they love).

WTF?  My cat just committed credit card fraud.

(to be fair, it's an OLD, deactivated credit card that Josh uses as a bookmark.  But still.)

And now, back to my ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND STUPID assignment.  If only Zechs would stop begging to play while I'm trying to write, sigh.  And now Relena is awake!  Josh is off visiting a friend, so it's just me and the cats, and they're bored.

Emilie Autumn announced another U.S. tour date, also in NYC (Philly?  Please?) for May 22.  We couldn't go to the last one because it was a Monday, so I was like, YAY, maybe we can go!  But what day of the week is it????

Um, duh?  My wedding is Saturday, May 23, so it is clearly a Friday.  Also, we clearly cannot go, since, you know, WEDDING.  Sigh.  The things I sacrifice for love.