Before Sunrise/Before Sunset

Ever since classwork has finished (since Tuesday 5/18!), I've been watching movies more frequently than I usually do. Those who know me well know that I (usually) watch so few movies during an entire year that I can count them all on my fingers. Maybe on fingers of one hand.

Among the movies that I watched (and convinced some friends to reluctantly watch with me) were Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I first heard of the two movies shortly after the latter was released (on NPR en route to 6 AM swim practice before school one day, and again in AP English class). Now, to lots of people the movies are rather boring and cliche, but personally I really liked both of them, and after these recent viewings I like them even more (last time I watched them was maybe 3-4 years ago).

Now, what do I like about these movies, you might ask? The premise is pretty cliche I must admit, but these movies revolve around dialog and conversation between two people (literally), which I think is the interesting part and what makes Before Sunrise and Before Sunset unique. The topics that the conversation hits are interesting, with viewpoints that I can relate to personally, especially the cynicism that was explored deeper in Before Sunset.

Happy Slope Day

"What this means to me is more than I know you believe

What I thought of you now has cost more than it should for me

What I thought was true before were lies I couldn't see

What I thought was beautiful is only memories."

Lawl school stories

I've been working various part-time jobs at the Cornell Law School during the last 3.5 years, including library assistant, Interlibrary Book and Copy Service, A/V tech support, and computer lab consultant. I don't think I ever fully knew my way around the corridors and stairways of the law school until this semester. There are so many secret shortcuts you can take through doors and stairs.

One perk of working with the A/V team is filming all-day law school events. Of course, you're stuck in a room for most of the day, but they have free food (usually breakfast and lunch). This weekend and next weekend are the Trial Advocacy finales downtown in the real courtrooms.

The mock trial cases are interesting sometimes. Today's was interesting in particular. In the beginning of the trial, it felt like the objection rulings were always in the defense's favor (despite the numerous objections that the plaintiff's team threw out), but at the end of the trial when the defense called up their last witness to testify as an expert, they were unable to have her admitted as an expert. Three times the defense tried to lay foundation questions for expertise of their witness in a different (but related) field, and three times an objection against the defense was sustained. It must be very frustrating to prepare questions for a witness that you couldn't actually ask because they could not be identified as an expert, but it was impressive how calm the law students were.

I think that watching mock trials for the Trial Advocacy class for 4 semesters has familiarized me with some legal jargon, but if I use legal jargon in my everyday language, I'd be talking about stuff that I know nothing about. I feel more comfortable sticking with cameras and projectors.

Random facts

Here is a list of things (not exhaustive) that I don't care about, in bullet form and in no particular order:

• Luxury
• Class
• Drama
• MAE 4180

Victory Burgers

Today, we went to Glenwood Pines for dinner. On a last-minute whim (and under peer pressure), I decided to go for the Pinesburger Challenge to eat 4 Pinesburgers in under an hour (vegetables are optional). This is what 4 Pinesburgers on 1 plate looks like:

First burger was finished at 7 minutes. Second burger at 15 minutes. Third burger at 28 minutes. Fourth burger at 49 minutes. Thanks to Kevin for keeping time with his iPhone. Here was the aftermath:

(Also included in the aftermath was 1 t-shirt and my picture on the wall)