Last Week of Work and Book Mortgages

I had a difficult time sleeping last night. I couldn't put a finger on it until I got up and around this morning: it's my last week of work.

I have been working in television news for 12 years, 10 of those as a director. I love what I do, I always have. For the past six and half years, I have been blessed to work with the most professional, competent, and genuinely nice people in the business. The decision to leave TV was not an easy one, made difficult not only because I love what I do but also because I feel like I am leaving my family. I have made some of the best friends of my life at this place, friends I hope to have until the end of my days. However, I have to do what is best for myself and my wife and Law School is the best thing I can do.

Today was the first day one could purchase case books at the bookstore using your borrowed gov't money. I headed down to the University Bookstore at 8am to get first dibs on used books. I'm very particular when it comes to used texts. I don't like a lot of highlighting or writing because I find that everyone who owned this book before me has worse handwriting than me, highlights WAY too much and they are most likely less intelligent than me. I got lucky and found two casebooks with zero marks and a third with limited ones. I had trouble finding my required torts text, "Cases and Materials on Torts." I enlisted the help of one of the nice ladies who worked in the store and she helped me find it. Apparently I am unable to see things right in front of my face. I told her I was particular about the amount of writing in the books and she graciously helped me look through the stacks. We stood there for a few minutes, perusing through books and we started making jokes.

"Oh, this person dropped out on pg. 30."

"This one made it all the way to pg. 232."

It was fun and scary. I cannot be one of those people.

We finally located a suitable copy and I made my way to the checkout.

A quick aside: I wore workout clothes to the bookstore because I was headed to "boot camp" afterward and I also hadn't showered...hence, I was disheveled and dirty.

As I was checking out and signing multiple pages of my casebook mortgage, another guy walked into the store to buy books. He was dressed in a polo, khakis and some sort of boat shoe. I scoffed, I judged. I know I shouldn't have. The day will come when I have to dress appropriately, this is not that day. At the ripe old age of 32 I don't have the time nor the inclination to dress like I just walked out of John Hughes film (RIP) dressed as the preppy villain. However, his attire did make me wonder if he would one day be my Law School nemesis. I quickly envisioned us facing off for SBA President, me winning on the last ballot because, if nothing else, I don't dry my hair with a blow dryer. Or that we'd be vying for the last spot on Law Review and I would win because I rock the house and he does not. The truth is, he is probably a very nice guy and just as nervous as me about starting this adventure. We're actually in the same section so I'm sure I'll find out here very quickly.

All told, I have spent $540 on books for the first semester. Actually not as bad as I thought, especially since two of the case books will carry over to the spring. One more class to buy books for, hoping to come in under the $650 mark. I think it's doable.