The anti-climatic end of my penultimate semester.

Last night as I entered the exam with 15 minutes before the exam began, my nerves were calm.  I usually show up and set up my computer half and hour to an hour before the exam but this time I wandered the halls with my buddies and we laughed and joked about how or final exam was to "write a judicial opinion;" how hard could that be? 
My legislation class ended with a final exam based off the Speluncean Explores hypothetical.  Long story short four guys go into a cave and get trapped, three come out after having a friend for dinner.  These guys were charged with murder and the five justices could not reach a verdict.  Our part was to write in as the 6th judge to break the tie.  My opinion was to affirm the sentence and the poor men were to be hanged.  (got to follow the law).  The test was not easy and backing up my argument with proper legal analysis proved challenging, but that's best part of law school exams. 

After the test it's over to Wine Thief with the creater of the test and my buddies to discuss politics, women, drinks, law, women, jokes, rumors, and women.  It was the end of my last REAL semester (summer school doesn't really count.) We enjoyed the "hurricane" that passed by and each other's company.

After the first year, law school loses it's luster and it's just school from there on out.  You no longer feel (or pretend to be) smarter than those around you that are NOT in law school and you look at the new 1Ls as bright-eyed children full of the majesty of the law.  While I still enjoy law school, this last semester was more enjoyable because I didn't worry about my ranking or my GPA (both are pretty much set in stone).  I would have worried if I were at the tip-top of the class, but luckily I'm not and could focus my attention on helping others get the most out of law school. 

Though the end of the semester was anti-climatic I enjoyed the semester.

Dave

Mother's Day and Dad's Birthday

My dad was born on May 9th.  Unfortunately for my mom she would routinely share Mother's day with my Dad's Birthday.  My dad turned 55 this year so my mom wanted to throw him a birthday party.  She invited old friends and former co-workers that had since retired.  He enjoyed the day.

Besides his friends all three of his kids attended the party.  The three of us getting together is tricker now with my brother living in San Antonio and me and my sister busy with work and school.  When we do get together we truly enjoy each other's company and the inevitable Olivas roasting (by our spouses) always creates belly laughs.

Mom

Brother's Wife

Brother

          

Baby-Sis

Wife w/ Lili

the spouses

My 90-year young Grandma

Mom

Happy Birthday Dad

The party was a great way to celebrate not only my Dad's Birthday but to relax a little after my three finals this past week.  One more to go and then my penultimate semester of law school is done!

Dave

Study Break

Yesterday at school I walked to Jake's Burgers for a study break.  Being in Downtown Fort Worth affords me some great places to shoot.  So I grabbed my camera and played w/ the light of the late afternoon.  

It took me about five pictures to get this lighting right

I liked the stains

The colors looked washed out

777 Main street.

Buildings in the sun

Early morning or late afternoon

These two shots were taken from the SBA office

Finals time

As much as I would like to be studying I lack the desire.  At this point in my law school career my grades are set in stone and the "gentlemen's C" will not affect my standing one way or the other.

I do find Criminal Procedure interesting and learning through the Kaplan PMBR has gotten me through Crim law, Property, Civ Pro, and to a lesser extent Contracts.
This pic is me "studying in the Student Bar Association room at Texas Wesleyan School of Law (Club 1515).
It's such a great place to study.  For one we have a window and it's not freezing like it is in the dungeon (AKA the library).
I can foresee Jake's Burgers in my future and then back to the grind of studying.
Though I'm really chomping at the bit to shoot w/ my D80.

A Step Backwards

Last night I picked up my "new" camera.  It's Nikon D80 lovingly used.  I scored this deal through a friend of my wife's, Andrea.  She told me that her friend Mickey was selling a D90 (actually a D80 but hey can't blame the girl for trying).  I asked the C.O.'s permission and the following day I got it.  While I was expecting just the body I ended up w/ the battery, charger case and a couple of Macro Lenses. 
I attached the 70mm-300mm Nikkor to it and can't wait to start shooting again. 

My associate here at work wants to get pictures with her dog (that might be tricky) and wants it in a western setting.  I told her I'd like to do it and when we get time we will.  Not today.  It's raining.

D

a few favorites

Taken on my iPhone

San Fransico

The Lone Cypress, 17 Mi Drive

My wife

Father and Son

A Texas sunset

My brother and son

DC Sunset

Marco's Senior Pix

Friday I saw that the weather was nice and asked my Cousin whether he wanted me to take some senior pictures.  He promptly agreed.  I chose the UT Arlington Campus Architecture building

my son playing around w/ Marco

Photogenic, no?