ndmckinney|net

The Montgomery County Council has voted unanimously to approve the proposed “Purple Line,” a light rail line that would connect New Carrolton Metro Station to Bethesda Metro Station. Not only will this relieve congestion on the Beltway, but it should also revitalize a number of older neighborhoods isolated from rapid transit.

As a cyclist and as a citizen concerned with the neglect of green space, I welcome the inclusion of mixed trail usage and a focus on minimizing the loss of trees and grassland where the light rail would run along the Georgetown Branch Trail.

There are a number of issues to be worked out, not the least of which is funding and disputes over the residents of Chevy Chase. However, if President Obama’s proposal for infrastructure investment comes to fruition, then the Purple Line may find funding to be more than plentiful.

[From Montgomery Council Backs Light Rail for Purple Line - washingtonpost.com]

I know I haven’t written anything in over a month. Here’s the quick update:

- I’m a duly sworn member of the Maryland bar
- I have decided to go into the practice of law with a friend of mine
- I am still working on establishing the law office

Outside of my life as a lawyer, I have maintained other interests, too. These include:
- Studying French (on my own)
- Studying Dutch this fall
- Running 4-5 times a week
- Cycling infrequently

Oh, and I have an iPhone as well.

I received the greatest letter in the mail today from the Court of Appeals of Maryland:

The Report of the State Board of Law Examiners has been filed in this Court and, subject to final ratification of the Order Nisi, you are requested to appear for admission to the Bar.

It’s been a very long trip to get here, but, in less than two weeks, I will finally be a licensed attorney in the State of Maryland.

After a week, I’ve finally been able to put two words together without wondering if someone is trying to trick me. It’s finally time to talk about the bar exam.

First, it is an absolutely miserable experience. The morning of the exam, I likened the bar to a fraternity hazing ritual à la “Animal House”. Second, the exam does not require any depth of knowledge. As Brandon puts it, the bar exam is “a test of minimal competency”; incidentally, if you look up the phrase “minimal competency” in the dictionary, my picture is there.

Okay, to the exam itself:

Read the rest of this entry »

I will be in Baltimore for the next few days taking the Maryland state bar examination. The exam is two days long with the first day consisting of essays. After that, it’s pretty much downhill.

If you need to reach me, you won’t be able. I will be tuning out the outside world until Thursday morning.

For those who really hate themselves, you can simulate my pain by going to the state board of law examiners‘ website and downloading old exam questions. If you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer, this is a good way to dissuade you.

I will be in Baltimore for the next few days taking the Maryland state bar examination. The exam is two days long with the first day consisting of essays. After that, it’s pretty much downhill.

If you need to reach me, you won’t be able. I will be tuning out the outside world until Thursday morning.

For those who really hate themselves, you can simulate my pain by going to the state board of law examiners‘ website and downloading old exam questions. If you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer, this is a good way to dissuade you.

Congratulations to Barack Obama for obliterating Hillary Clinton in Maryland, Virginia, and the District. Now that you’ve won the delegates in the District (90% registered democrats), we won’t be seeing you again until January 20, 2009.

I know it seems like I’m really against Hillary Clinton for President, and maybe I am. But in reality, the rationale for voting for Clinton isn’t much more than “well, she’s a woman.”

Take, for example, this page from the BBC. The Beeb posted photos and testimonials from Baltimore voters. The woman in this photo pretty much encapsulates why I hate Clinton supporters:

[Obama]‘s more of a visionary but it’d be very exciting to have a woman in the White House.

If I understand her point of view, she’s voting for Clinton not because she think’s Hillary’s the best candidate, but because she thinks a woman would be “exciting”?

To be fair, motivations for voting for Obama aren’t always fair, either. Consider this post from the same BBC spread.

*sigh*