divine angst

The University of Chicago is unable to offer me a place in their class of 2008.

As the title of this post suggests, this was not an unanticipated outcome. My numbers are WAY low for Chicago and, this year, they seem to be focusing strongly on numbers (at least, if you believe Law School Numbers).

And also, as the title of this post states, in some ways, I am very sad—I have a strong interest in teaching, and Chicago is noted for producing legal academics.

But in other ways, I am not so sad. Mr. Angst says he would have been uncomfortable with me spending so much time in a marginally safe part of Chicago, although I think if I decided to attend UoC, he would have made his peace with that. Part of me wonders also how well I’d fit in at Chicago. I’d like to think that I would thrive in such a serious academic environment but I also think I need lots of vibrance in my life. Perhaps UoC could have provided that, in the “work hard, play hard” way—but perhaps not.

I’m trying not to write things that give off an air of sour grapes—after all, this wasn’t an unexpected ding. But some of the things I hear coming out of my mouth or ringing through my mind have that tone—mostly because I’m attributing things to UoC that I don’t necessarily know are true. I hear myself saying I would be unhappy there because I have libertarian leanings; because I tend to think more like a businessperson than an academic. And I have no idea if any of these statements are true.

But I know this: I was up against some very talented people. Not getting into Chicago isn’t a huge ego blow. I’m glad I tried, even after my LSAT. I’m sorry I didn’t get in, but I’m also glad I don’t have to choose between NU and UoC.

Look at all the pretty colors!

Some teachers reported that Narconon instructors told students that the body can sweat out drug residues in saunas, and that as drugs exit the body, they produce colored ooze, the Chronicle reported.

Some other inaccuracies cited by the evaluation and the Chronicle — including that drug residues stay in body fat, causing people to experience repeated flashbacks and cravings — echo beliefs held by the Church of Scientology.

I think I’m going to start taking a yoga class again. I found one at my gym that meets twice a week at 7pm, right when Mr. Angst is in class. I need something to keep my mind off the waiting, the waiting, the waiting.

On another note, I broke my coffeepot this morning, so I have to figure out where I can get a new one. I know I can order one online, but I don’t know that I can wait that long for a new carafe. I need my morning coffee!

Lastly, I want to apologize to the weather gods for complaining about 80 degree weather earlier this week. I’m terribly, terribly sorry—but I don’t think my ungratefulness warranted the 30 degree drop. Could you at least give us the sun back?

Oh, please, can I have one of these for Christmas???

Just got a fresh install of Office 2004 for the Mac (at work).

This software rocks. I admit it, I am not a huge fan of M$, but they did some really nice things with Word. Notebook view allows you to outline your notes (much like OmniOutliner, which I love); you can also record audio and it associates with the text you’re creating at the time of recording.

I’m still playing with it, but I think I’m really going to like some of these new features. Does anyone else have experience with Office 2004? Are there other cool things I should play with?