NOW I am a lawyer

So now I am a lawyer barred in the state of Maryland. I love saying barred - for if I'm not allowed to practice aren't I barred as well? The MD Appellate court is a bit odd as they wear red robes with white tassels - which the chief justice noted did look suspiciously santa-like. The Ceremony was just as aggravating as I thought it would be, only different. $5 to park in an open lot blocks away from the courthouse, another $20 in cash only for our certificates (like they couldn't just charge us $20 more when we signed up for this crap?)

Last night I checked in and while I recently lost my first case, I also just won my first ever 12-b-6 motion - and this on a serial filer. I've never kicked someone's ass before discovery concluded before, schwing. My work-audience has noticed.

I hate ceremonies, but my dad would have come and been proud, which gave this meaning for me. His sister came in his stay, and oddly so did his wife. Each of us stood and said our name - I uncharacteristically used my full name - emphasizing the proper Ho-SAY MarTEEN and I even tagged on a "the third" on the end. I thought about my dad most of the time.

It's weird being around Calvo family. It turns out he was bragging about my accomplishments quite a bit, as they all know about what was going on in my life. It's weird hearing them say things I do or say sound like him, or that x and y are Calvo traits. I don't know any Calvos so the idea of a group of them with similar traits is unusual to hear.

After the ceremony we were waiting in line to sign our names to some goofy register before they'd give us our certificates. While in line, the guy in front of me had his parents come up. His dad had to be an attorney. He walked up and hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, and immediately started scrolling through his blackberry. His mom congratulated him and talked to him while his dad continued to scowl at his thumb pilot. Soon he was glancing around and excused himself "to see if someone could let him use a computer." His wife started to protest, mildly (the kid said nothing) and the man argued that we were just waiting in line anyway. He wandered off and didn't reappear when his son signed the register and received his certificate.

As soon as you sign the book, you get your certificate - and then someone shakes your hand, asks if you are a law clerk. When you say no, they immediately notify you that a bill is in the mail (for your dues?) They didn't get the é in my name.

My Aunt was going to buy me lunch - I think they expected seafood in Annapolis. I said I was tired of Annapolis, thought they siphoned enough of my money in the name of "bar expenses" and wanted to get back to Maryland proper. So we headed back to DC, hit Tenleytown and had all you can eat in Armand's on 355. I like Armand's, was sick of ceremony, and got to not drain anyone's wallet.

My aunt is a was-nun. We talked about why she left the nunnery, compared it to a cannery, and then she noted that the store that said "Leather lifestyle" could be taken many ways! She and I talked a lot about education, as she has dedicated her life towards educating our next generation and even now in retirement is engaged in teaching children problem solving skills. Similarly my cousin is teaching ESL. They had the same complaints about lack of parenting, kids who say "I can't," grade inflation, esteem based on compliments rather than achievements, and a lack of basic literacy as every teacher you hear from today.

and I fucking wish my dad was there. It is so creepy to call that house and hear his healthy voice on the machine. The permanence of the thing is still kind of dawning on me - I keep thinking huzzah no more trips to the hospital! This is followed by a quick "Oh." Still, for the first time in years I can see and end and a beginning. No more school, no more bar, no more hospital - so far as I can see, there is just the job and play. I'm feeling so-so now, but I know in the coming weeks and months I'll be emerging from a long and dark tunnel. I still hope I don't find I'm just an asshole though.