posted
Does anyone know how to control hopes that won't stay down?
There's the possibility I might be able to apply for something that would be just about as cool anything that could happen to a law grad. It's something that I never counted on, would never have regreted not being able to try if I weren't in a position to do so, and don't need to do what I want to do.
But it would be a huge break if it panned out. My status now is "feasible candidate," as in, it's reasonable for me to apply and I have a reasonable (1 in a 100, say) shot at succeeding if I do. It's not something I can do until summer 2007; the only reason I am thinking about it now is that I had to rearrange my schedule for my last semester and take a few steps now.
What's frustrating is now I can't stop thinking about it. I've done what I can for the time being. Now all I have to do is keep doing well in school - something I intended to do anyway. It's gotten to the point that if I don't get it, I'll be terribly disappointed.
And this is something I didn't even care about a couple months ago.
Anyone have any tips on keeping such things in check?
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Maybe it was because I had raspberry rather than cherry. And only the large size, not the Route 44 super-duper-extra-large size.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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That might be it. I never found the Rasberry was able to do the trick.
Another thing: Find a computer game to get addicted to, then you'll be more worried about playing that. Or some other game. Like Super Smash Bros. Melee or something.
Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
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quote:Another thing: Find a computer game to get addicted to, then you'll be more worried about playing that. Or some other game. Like Super Smash Bros. Melee or something.
If I do that, I won't have to worry about it because I'll mess up my grades. I'm convinced that dropping EQ is what let me do well. Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Dag, enjoy the hope itself. If it happens or not, at least you enjoyed the anticipation. Live in the moment, and when it passes, leave it as it should, in the past.
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You kicked the EverCrack habit? I'm so proud of you, Dag. Got any tips I can pass along to my bf? I'm assuming WoW addiction is similar enough to work.
And of course, Hatrack is always good for distracting you.
Posts: 2283 | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
Well, I thought I would try. You could...write the Great American (Or Whatever Country You Live In) Novel about your schooling or law school, in general. Though this also might be too time consuming and liable to distract you from school work.
Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
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quote:Dag, enjoy the hope itself. If it happens or not, at least you enjoyed the anticipation. Live in the moment, and when it passes, leave it as it should, in the past.
To quote Calvin, "I think that's more mature than I care to be."
Not really, but it's possibly more mature than I can be. It is what I'll be shooting for, though.
quote:You kicked the EverCrack habit? I'm so proud of you, Dag. Got any tips I can pass along to my bf? I'm assuming WoW addiction is similar enough to work.
And of course, Hatrack is always good for distracting you.
Hatrack is a good mini-break. Can't use EQ that way.
I deleted the files from my hard drive, knowing I'd face a 10-hour patch if I reinstalled.
What inspired me to do so was a couple weeks without reliable Internet - my entire guild left me behind in the Planes.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Good luck, dude! And good for you. Games can be so addicting. *points to shadow hearts. I need to practice guitar and work on my novel.*
But worse is falling for a person I cannot possibly have, but keep thinking about anyway! It's getting ridiculous.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I remember when Porter had an opportunity like that back in college. Didn't happen. But it didn't stop us from dreaming.
I totally misread the intent of the title. "Hopes that won't stay down" as in, "I hope I vomit what I just ate."
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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I haven't played WoW in a week and I think I'm ready to cancel my account. The rewards after 60 just seemed so out of synch with the effort involved.
A couple articles like this one might help. If you're going to compete in a time sink with these people the *best* case is losing horribly; imagine how bad it'd be if you won.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:When you say EQ, are you referring to EverQuest?
Yes.
quote:But worse is falling for a person I cannot possibly have, but keep thinking about anyway!
I've become fatalistic about such things, because the person I fell for but couldn't possibly have was so clearly wrong for me that I don't know what I was thinking at the time.
Doesn't mean it hurt any less at the time, though.
quote:I find that being horribly, violently ill took my mind off it for a few days.
Maybe I should just go back to EQ, then. Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Since you can't squash it, indulge it, roll in it, swim in it. Give it full vent until you've worn it out. By that time, you should be able squash it with ease, as it has spent all its energy cavorting.
I can't say this will be 100% effective, but it's what I resort to when I've tried everything else.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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Be excited! Be hopeful! Be realistic - I doubt I'll get it, but wouldn't it be great?!
And if it doesn't happen, use what I always use - "It wasn't the right thing for me, so that's why it didn't happen." Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Ah, EQ. I miss my Enchantress (Yes I played a female character even though I'm not female). My wife and I played for a while seperately and then decided for the health of our marraige to get another computer and another account. We had a lot of fun for about a year while stationed in Korea and after achieving 65 (Max level at that time) we decided we needed to finish our college degree's so that we could do grad work when we got out. We went on a month of leave to the states without EQ and came back and gave all of our gear to newbies. Was great fun.
Dag, do not quench your hope. I believe that hopeful energy has power. Corny, maybe, but I really do believe it. I will add to your hope energy.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Thanks, everyone. That is a great way to look at it Karl and Liz.
In that spirit, I'll share the dream. Here's what my advisor said. If I
1.) Get my note published; 2.) Keep my grades up; and 3.) Get an appellate clerkship for 2007-2008
then an application to clerk at the Supreme Court would probably get some attention. Still a long shot (except for top of the class Harvard and Yale, it's always a long shot), but well within the bounds of possibility. UVa sends anywhere from 0 to 4 clerks a year to the Supreme Court.
My main disadvantages: I wasn't on managing board for law review.
My main advanatages: published note (assuming it happens), experience prior to law school, and my Supreme Court case (just to make sure the application is noticed, not so much in actual selection after that).
So that's what I can't stop thinking about.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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My older sister is in law school right now, and she keeps telling me all of the exciting things that she could possibly do--playing out senerios like if I get really good grades, and if this happens, and so on.
It is exciting to hear of some one actually charting a path to those exciting things! Mind if I ask what year you are? My sister just finished her first semester, so most of her stories are a ways off, while it looks like you have made some really good progress.
Posts: 234 | Registered: Oct 2005
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So . . . if you're a clerk at the Supreme Court does that mean you won't be able to discuss Supreme Court cases online? 'cause I'm not sure I can hope for that. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Woohoo!!!! Cool beans, Dag! I hope you can get everything set up to make this even more possible!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I want Dags to suceed for purely selfish reasons.
See, this clerkship will inevitably lead to Dags getting nominated to the SCOTUS in 2015. Of course, we will all be called to DC to testify on his behalf.
posted
I'm just jealous of all of you that can go get a cherry limeade. One of the first things I will do when I'm done with chemo and no longer have this sensitivity to cold is go to Sonic.
But Dag, really that's very cool. However, as you've said you've currently done all you can do your best bet is to try to distract yourself from it. Obsessing over it isn't going to make things happen faster. It will only drive you crazy.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:Originally posted by dkw: So . . . if you're a clerk at the Supreme Court does that mean you won't be able to discuss Supreme Court cases online? 'cause I'm not sure I can hope for that.
Yes, it definitely means that.
Oh, and
quote:Originally posted by Beren One Hand: I want Dags to suceed for purely selfish reasons.
See, this clerkship will inevitably lead to Dags getting nominated to the SCOTUS in 2015. Of course, we will all be called to DC to testify on his behalf.
Dags-Con 2015: Jatraqueros goes to Washington.
Nah - I'll be too old for SCOTUS in 2015.
quote:Originally posted by imogen: What does a Supreme Court clerkship entail, exactly - in terms of what you get to do/what it means?
I'm wondering whether it's comparable to a High Court clerkship here, or something different again.
I know it will be more competitive (numbers alone would make it so) but apart from that I have no idea about the differences.
(And... good luck! )
There are 9 justices, each has 4 clerks or so. Each clerk serves 1 term. The clerks do general clerk stuff. Usually they will research a case on the briefs and form an opinion. After the conference where each justice votes on a case, a clerk will draft at least some of the opinion.
Clerks will interact with their justice every day and can influence the justice. They also get insights into how SCOTUS makes decisions that is not available anywhere else.
From a job-hunting perspective, it's a phenomenal boost. I'm not sure if there's anything comparable in any other professions as the advantage a SCOTUS clerkship obtains in future prospects. Firms will grovel and political appointments in Justice or the White House will be available.
This is why I have to remind myself: it's a long shot.
quote:But Dag, really that's very cool. However, as you've said you've currently done all you can do your best bet is to try to distract yourself from it. Obsessing over it isn't going to make things happen faster. It will only drive you crazy.
True. By 3L, most students can pretty much stop caring about how well they do as long as they don't fail out. I might have fallen into that (maybe not), but now it's not possible.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Do you apply to clerk for a specific judge, or just for the court in general and then they pick who they want?
What if you end up with a judge whose judicial philosophy you disagree with? Although I suppose they wouldn't pick you in that case, but what if one did?
Edit: I suppose I'm really not helping you not think about this, am I? Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Do you apply to clerk for a specific judge, or just for the court in general and then they pick who they want?
You either apply to everyone or have a VERY good reason not to. But each one runs interviews at different times.
You must take the first offer. If you reject an early offer, you won't get another.
quote:What if you end up with a judge whose judicial philosophy you disagree with? Although I suppose they wouldn't pick you in that case, but what if one did?
All have a tendency to pick at least one clerk with an opposing judicial philosophy. The ones who make the biggest point of it are the Scalia and Breyer - probably the two opposite ends of the spectrum.
Since there's not a single justice sitting (except Roberts - too new) who hasn't written an opinion that's generated a "what the crap are you talking about?" from me, that's probably a good thing.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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From all I can tell about you, Dag, getting you anywhere near a position of influence in this country is probably a good thing, so I'm rooting for you. (Yeah, I know it's not like your up for Supreme Court Justice or anything -- -- but still . . .)
We don't always agree on things in the end, but I always feel like you have given due consideration to all sides in an issue. (Because of that you're one of the few people whose disagreement with me really makes me re-examine my position.) It's good to know that you are in the running for good things. I know you'll make a difference wherever you serve. If they don't take you for this it's entirely their loss. Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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Oh, Dagonee, that sounds like such a great experience. I wish you the best of luck. 1 in 100 isn't so bad. I would love the opportunity to even apply to serve a term as a SCOTUS clerk after law school.
I'm nervous about just getting in to law school; I can't even begin to imagine how much more anxious you must be.
Posts: 866 | Registered: Aug 2005
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My friend, after deciding that she wanted to one day be the first Asian Supreme Court Justice, actually got rid of her blog and took down her facebook account with the incriminating photos.
Posts: 866 | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:I'm nervous about just getting in to law school; I can't even begin to imagine how much more anxious you must be.
It's a roller coaster ride. My advisor said I need to do another research paper, and I was having trouble finding a supervisor for an independent study. This morning, a seminar I had tried to get into had a slot open up.
The context is making little things like that have a far greater emotionally impact: from the end of the world to now everything's OK.
When are you applying for law school?
quote:I promise not to mention the Asian porn thing when I am intervied by the press, Dag.
I appreciate that, Liz. Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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