Yeah, people, it had to be done...after over 4 years...it was time to move on from madlawstudent. 

So yeah...I am really going to do my best to keep the majority of this journal friends only...of course this means that you 1) must have a journal to get access to all the yummy content (like damn it's cold in Madrid in Autumn) and 2) you must be friended.  I am extremely friendly and usually happily friend people and friend people back.  Also, I don't get bent out of shape about being defriended.  It's only the internets, right. 

Friends filters...I will be using them...and I am also going to be trying to use tags...
Here are some ideas for content related friends filters

• General (which will include total bullshit, travel, daily quips as well as political rambling...ranting)
  
• Relationships (I really dont want anyone to have to read my bitching if they dont want to)
  
• School/Work (again, not the most exciting stuff in the world)
• Spanish (I sometimes try to write in Spanish)
• Unfiltered (highly restricted access)

If you want to be on a particular filter or you dont want to be on a particular filter, let me know and I will take you off or put you on...

I am really not a heavy commenter and I am sorry for that.  I do avidly read my friends page.  I do not expect you to comment on my journal, I assume that if you still got me friended then you are reading...or not...it doesn't really matter. 

The only thing I do ask is that we all play nice...this means please do not make personal attacks, personal insults, or derogatory language.  Obviously, in this little corner of the web, I am the sole arbiter of what is derogatory. 

Finally, a warning....like many people my age, I type fast.  Also, I type what I hear in my head.  As such I am prone to making stupid errors that occasionally make me look like a high school drop-out.  I will write do instead of due, their instead of there or they're, and now because I am so immersed in Spanish I will occasionally type "cion" instead of "tion."  You just got to bear with me here people. 

I told you so.

Now, take this opportunity to stop living in your delusions.

Fuck the Olympics.  Seriously.

What mother fucking bullshit.

Rio de Janeiro is a ridiculously dangerous city.  South America's first Olympics should go to a city that can actually handle it and have proven that they are safe. 

What next Olympics in Tehran?  Why the hell not?  We had them in fucking China and now Rio.  Hell, even London is super dangerous (but at least it doesn't have slums like Bejing or Rio).

So, today, my classmate who works at Clifford asked me if I am still under "agreement" with the university.  I assume that is referring to whether I still have a student visa.  I know they are interested and I also know that the Spanish economy is not doing so hot.  I know sponsoring someone for a work permit is a pain in the ass.  However, I will not however be a trainee and work for peanuts while they bill me out at nearly €200 a hour.  Not going to happen again.  I put in my time as a trainee for 9 months.  I don't care what the damn name of the law firm is.  I would rather make more money and work less teaching English.  So, you know what, if they want me, they are going to have to 1) Sponsor me and 2) Give me a decent salary (which is not very high in Spain in the damn first place)

So, here's to hoping that they will still be interested once I make it clear that I am not going to be a trainee.

Oh man, if you aren't listening to podcasts, then I think you are missing out on a world of information!  I'm currently subscribed to 41 podcasts and videocasts.  Soon I will make a list of all the podcasts I recommend, but I just subscribed to a lot of new ones today.

I actually don't think there is anyone here on my livejournal who are opposed to the public option. Still, I thought I'd post it for those of you who are not on my facebook page. It's my first time ever talking directly to a camcorder so it's not polished in the least.

Have I mentioned that I am so glad that I don´t have student loans.

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/another-view-lock-the-law-school-doors/

I am off to Chicago today!  My sister has lived there for like 8 years now. 

I am super excited because we have a ton of awesome restaurants to hit up including Alinea.  I love being able to enjoy the finer things in life like excellent restaurants.  It makes me sad for people who think that the Olive Garden is Italian food. 

Not that sf_drama  is a beacon of intelligence or anything but this is totally making me lose my faith in humanity.  The number of people who cannot think critically about a study is truly frightening.  I admit that the article is very poorly written and made some astounding leaps in logic.  However, I really have to wonder about someone who cannot read that article, see through the bullshit and see the value in the study.  I guess these are the same people who don't believe that being obese is inherently unhealthy.  I feel like people's gut reactions get the better of them sometimes and make it difficult to acknowledge differing opinions.  Whatever is going to allow you to cling to the fantasy in your head a bit longer I suppose. 

George Sodini walked into LA Fitness, turned off the lights in an aerobics class and killed 3 women and injured 9 more before killing himself.  Every indication seems to show that he was infuriated to the point of a murderous rage because he had bad luck with women.  I can't even tell you how much this turns my stomach. 

I was talking to my mom while she was driving me home from work today about it.  She said the man was clearly disturbed.  I don't disagree.  However, the feelings of rage and resentment that he felt towards women is something that a surprising number of men feel.  I can't count how many times I've heard a man insult women who have rejected him or how many times I've heard men blame women for their insecurities, failings and inability to have a relationship.  I think this is the root of a lot of the instances of domestic violence, rape, and male on female murder in our society. 

I'm not saying that every loser out there is going to beat, rape or murder.  However, men who blame women for their own issues (like fear of rejection, lack of confidence, sexual frustration, etc) is exhibiting misogyny.  It must stop.  All of us need to take responsibility for our own shortcomings instead of blaming other people. 

Personally, I would have liked to see a little bit more tough love in this week's column, but oh well....http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=1930394&hpr

This show is on TLC.  This guy is such an inspiration because he lost over 400 lbs through diet and exercise.  However, he is so awkward around women that it is almost unbearable to watch.  He is super sweet, though.  However, sweet don't get you laid.

Hell yeah, I am watching "I want to Save Your Life" on WE.  This guy is awesome.  This a great show.

I have been keeping up with the developments on Iran very closely.  I do not, however, rely on CNN to give me my information.  Foreign policy is kind of my thing and I am definitely watching this closely from that perspective.

More importantly, I have a number of friends who were either born or born and raised in Iran.  I had dinner with my friend, Mitra and her husband on Friday.  Her husband is Scottish, but converted to Islam and has traveled to Iran a lot of the last few years. 

Foreign Policy magazine is reporting that before the election, Obama had written to Khamenei because he wanted to deepen diplomatic ties.  That was clear from the Roxana Siberi situation that both Iran and the US were warming to initiating greater diplomatic relations.

Now, someone on my friend's list actually suggested that we have some sort of moral duty to invade Iran to help the people.

Are you fucking kidding me?????

Some Americans have this idea that we are the world police and have a responsiblity to use military force at every injustice in the world.  Well, were should we start?  It seems to me that every time we look around there is more injustice than we could ever possible counter? 

Iran is remarkable because it is a democratic movement started and led by the people.  That is what leads to democracy.  Foreign force does not work.  We don't even have to look that far into history to see multiple examples.  Have we forgotten about our attempt to liberate the Iraqi people??  Afghanistan???

Ridiculous.

Hmm...seems like there is something wrong with my LJ template.  I don't really have the time or energy to fix it.

Anywho, Craig and I are going out to eat Senegalese food tonight and watch Spain kick USA's ass.

I'm living Madrid in 6 days now.  I can't believe it.  As for Craig and me, who knows what is going to happen.

Father Cutie, the Florida priest who was found to have broke his celebacy vows, has joined the Episcopal Church to continue serving God without hypocrisy.

This is so awesome to me on so many levels.  1) I was raised Episcopalian and I think it is the warmest, most open-minded Christian denomination and 2) He is setting an example for other Catholics.  You do not have to live in hypocrisy.  You can change faiths.  The Epsicopal Church is Catholice-lite in that it has all the riturals, spirtuality and meaning, but without the hate.  Obviously there is a schism in the church over gay priests, but it looks like the homophobes will have to starte their own damn denomination. 

 I am still drunk and I have to go to work.  Awesome.  Not.