On Grammar and OCI

Why oh why must so many firms use the unfortunate construction “is comprised of” in their marketing materials and websites? Who told them that this was acceptable? The worst part is that I've been so immersed in firm websites (at least that's the reason I'm sticking to) that I've started using it myself--ghastly.

Wordplay

I love word games, trivia, puzzles, crosswords, and the like, but I was still surprised by how much I enjoyed “Wordplay,” a movie about New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz and the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Much like Spellbound, another words-focused movie I loved, it manages to be fascinating and suspenseful—seeing how a puzzle is created, watching various celebrities (Jon Stewart, Bill Clinton, Mike Mussina) attempt to solve the same crossword, and following the top contenders for the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. My crossword skills hover at People magazine level (I'm working toward USA Today), so I’m in awe of anyone who attempts the NYT crosswords—and solves them! But this movie inspired me to give them a try, although I’ll definitely be starting on a Monday.

My favorite story from the movie involved a crossword from Election Day 1996. The clue was tomorrow’s headline--seven letters for the first part, seven letters for the second. The second word was elected, but the first could be either Bob Dole or Clinton. Love it!

The Obligatory About Me Post

I am a law student at an undisclosed school in an undisclosed city. Both the city and the school are probably pretty easy to figure out, but if you do, please respect my privacy and quasi-anonymity by not publicly broadcasting the information. I think that true anonymity on the internets is a fallacy, though, so those looking for salacious gossip of the tell-all variety will probably be disappointed. (As will those looking for incisive legal analysis or cogent discussion of Serious Matters--you have been warned.)

I started reading blogs (or "blawgs," I suppose) when I first started thinking about applying to law school. I really enjoyed reading people's stories and soaking up their advice. It only took me a few years to decide that I wanted to jump in the mix as well, to be in dialogue with other blogs and carve out a space in which I can dump my scattered thoughts.

As for cabbages and kings, to me that quote has always epitomized the best conversations with friends, when you talk about everything and nothing, the weighty and the decidedly unweighty. I admit that this blog will probably be skewed toward the latter.