Out of the Comfort Zone – February 17 – 20, 2008

When Sunday arrived, I felt that I had more time than I could utilize. Before I could say “vested remainder in fee simple on executory limitation,” I found myself awake late at night on Wednesday plucking away at my keyboard.

I had forgotten what a simple change or exciting addition can add to life. I had been quietly wasting away – all alone and in a foreign state. My roommate and I invited some of our friends over to our house on Sunday for some board games and bottled fun. At some point during the night, my multi-tasking abilities took flight. I somehow set up a date with a girl in my class (the one who pointed out my vulgar statement to my Professor at his house). The date was slated for the very next day.

I awoke the very next morning (Monday) with a dead phone battery, and a high level of disbelief that I accomplished this feat in a very altered mental state. The wakeup on Monday was harsh. I had planned to utilize every hour possible to study the inside of my eye-sockets from the comfort of my bed, but this prophecy did not come to fruition.

Once my dead-phone was charged, I check to make certain that the asking and answer were as I remembered them. The phone displayed the good news. Date on.

The girl with whom I went out is not my "normal type." That is to say she is definitely out of my comfort-zone. The Monday Night Consortium went so much better than I expected. As it turns out, East Coast boys are without the same chivalrous actions with which I quickly became associated. I believe in a tried-and-true, tested-and-bested theorem on dating. Traditional, old-school or chivalrous – call it what you may – I believe in some basic conservative dating principles that I have fused to some very much 21st Century ideals. However, this theory is my theory. I share it with nobody.

Opening and holding the car and restaurant doors impressed the girl enough to make her actively advocate for a second date. I had a great time. It is so relieving to have found somebody with whom I see eye-to-eye on many things. I feel like I have an outlet onto which I can unload my problems – luckily, the outlet is located in very close proximity. Did I mention she lives two minutes from my house?

Anyhow, on Monday, when I dropped her off, I left her without a kiss, as is my normal practice on a first date. For some reason it really throws a curve-ball at most women. Who knows why? But, as my Brother says “those who slowly enter into a relationship, slowly leave (if at all). Those who move quickly, find themselves quickly through.” Fast-in, fast-out. I like to slow the bus down a bit and enjoy the scenery; I appreciate everything. Plus, I have time.

So, I have been seeing a lot of her ever since, and I enjoy every minute. I have, apparently, been noticeably more upbeat and easy going this week. I guess excitement is good for a law student every once-in-a-while.

Class on Tuesday morning was death. When the Professor told us class would begin at 8:30AM, my classmates and I did not realize how early it was in all actuality. The Appellate Advocacy class is normally on Fridays from 10:10AM to 12:00PM. For some unknown reason, the class was moved to the deathly morning hour on Tuesday. The only class I normally have on Tuesdays is my 50 minute Civil Procedure course which occurs in the afternoon. Basically, what I am trying to illustrate is that my day was ruined. I was tired the entire time, no information stuck in my head, and I zoned. I zoned for a long time. I was in the zone, but it was not one in which learning occurs.

I had planned on going home and undertaking some research and other work, (like reading, briefing and outlining) but found myself watching two episodes of Law & Order with the Lady. I cooked dinner – always impressive – and relaxed for the rest of the night.

Then came Wednesday.

Usually today comes with a serving of senile, and a side dish of G-d hates me. Contracts Class was an uneventful waste of time, as is par for the course. I would usually leave Contracts and head for the library for an hour. After the usual one-hour prep, I would attend Stupid Class. Dummy Class is canceled all this week so that we can attend one-on-one sessions with our Stupid Class Professor. My meeting is tomorrow. That should be a barrel of joy. Pray for me.

After spending the six hours in the library between Contracts Class and Property, I started to get a little antsy, and who would not?

Property was the same miserable mess that it has always been. Today, the Professor took what would have otherwise been a relatively simple rule and made it unbelievable confusing. I am sometimes amazed at how Law Professors can make even the simplest idea the most baffling policy imaginable. I just don’t get it.

During class, the Professor asked how we stand on a public policy issue dealing with adverse possession, community property, public interest and rich people. I was one of two people to raise my hand on one side of the issue. The other 118 students raised their hand to the opposite. Welcome to my life.

Because Lady and I are carpooling – we realized we should have been doing the carpooling thing since the beginning of the year because we live so darn close and have almost identical schedules – I drove her home. Somehow I got suckered in for dinner. She cooked soup and shrimp. We watched a few "girly" shows, and home I went.

This time she got her kiss. Leaving my comfort zone has brought me back to reality.

Comfort zones are overrated.
Sleep in underrated.

And scene.

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Property Professor, “Mr. R, what is the first step in applying the Rule Against Perpetuity?”
Mr. R, with a pseudo-raspy voice: “I’d love to answer, but I have bronchitis.”
Michelle, the girl to my left, my friend on instant messenger and myself in unplanned-unison: “B.S.”