New School Year Resolutions

Well, I'm back in Madison. It really feels like I never left. I immediately proceeded to A8 China and had the lunch special, with an item that had never before graced the lunch steam table: Kung Pao Chicken. Yes, I've had it before for dinner, but that lunch...it was something special.

On to more serious matters. It suddenly hit me that this will be the last year of my seven-year college stint and I'm starting to get a little bit freaked out. As ready as I am for the real world, I'm not sure I'm physically adapted for it yet. Kind of like one of those abandoned baby hawks that people find and raise, then have to be rehabilitated by the zookeepers before they're set free in the wild. Real life encompasses routine and maturity and all of the implied responsibilities of adulthood (i.e. steady job, healthy food, showering). I've never been into the traditional mold of adulthood and I hope that I won't be forced into it within a year's time. However, seven years worth of college debt say that I will indeed be forced into an adult's life sometime soon. Fuck.

So in order to make the most of it, I need to make some resolutions. Only I have no idea what those resolutions ought to be. It's scary how much life is like Seinfeld...we're all so satisfied being directionless. I'm the worst offender. Therefore, I have no specifics, just generalizations to guide me in the years of '06-07.

I. Use more lighter fluid.
II. Stand up for Jerry Maguire...it's a good ass movie.

As you can see, I need some time to think about my goals...any suggestions? But in the meantime, it's three weeks before the final year begins, I have a full tank of gas, a half a pack of candy cigarettes, and I'm wearing sunglasses at night. Let's band together and celebrate life, stupidity, and spontaneity. The mission isn't from God, but when we get to heaven, it'll be these memories that we ask to relive. I'm signing off for a week or so to go home and take care of business, but when I get back, I had better be confronted with some stupid ideas.

Movies

I saw Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby this weekend. It was pretty awesome, what with wild animals and Will Ferrell, beer, NASCAR, and a surprise (six second) appearance by my uncle. However, the best moment was when I saw a preview for a movie where the Rock coaches a prison football team. All I know, is he had better continue to fight monkeys in this movie.

So I lost my first trial yesterday. I don't want to sound like a cock, but I've never lost before so it was difficult to hear the "guilty" verdict. Even more difficult being that this was a felony case and the guy now faces the stigma of being a convicted felon. I basically spent all night going over the testimony in my head, wondering if I should have objected at different places or asked questions differently. I know it probably wouldn't have helped, given the evidence, but it's hard not to feel responsible.

My supervisor tells me not to worry and that we shouldn't care about losing one, especially a bad case. However, I'm glad that it feels bad...it makes me a human being. Hell, I had patients die on me in the past and I went out for Dairy Queen afterwards, so this is a step up. I think when people stop caring it's time to move on. Anyways, next time I'll have to remember to punch through a concrete pillar to impress the jury.