It is official! Husband graduated from Law School. After an intense and difficult year, Husband has graduated from the number one program in the world for his field. This past year has gone by incredibly fast, and thanks to Husband’s hard work, we get to call NYC home indefinitely.

The graduation actually occurred a couple weeks ago. Now, I have been to a few graduations in my lifetime, but this was definitely the most impressive and monumental. Of all of Husband's graduations this was definitely the most elegant, organized, and prestigious. The graduation took place at a very famous venue in NYC. As I sat there listening to the entertaining keynote speaker (yes, I said entertaining), I realized that I was sitting in an auditorium filled with some of the most brilliant legal minds in the world. I sat next to a wife of one of Husband’s classmates. She and I were both in awe to as we sat back and talked about how remarkable this past year has been. Husband has worked incredibly hard this past year studying all there is to know about tax, taking the hardest classes and the hardest professors that Law School has to offer.

I believe that husband accepting this offer to attend Law School for this year was the wisest and most exciting decisions he ever made (or course, second only to his decision to marry me!). It was such a proud moment to watch Husband walk across the stage and shake the dean’s hand. Husband is constantly amazing me with his determination, dedication, and intelligence. He truly embodies the phrase; “You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”

With school and graduation now behind us, the only thing left is that measly little quiz, the Bar Exam. I am positive that while the next two months will be difficult and stressful, he will continue to succeed and survive the exam.

In short, congratulations, Husband, I love you.

That Nathan Lane Fellow Can Really Act

After a pause our social lives, Wife and I went out to see a Broadway show last night. Just as I finished my last exam, Wife saw that we could get tickets for the show November on our discount website. Because of the phenomenal cast, Wife has wanted to see that show for a while now, so she jumped on the opportunity to get tickets. In my semi-conscious state, I was in no position to do anything other than nod and say, “Whatever you want dear” (she's training me quite well).

November is a political comedy about an unpopular U.S. President running for re-election after his first term. Given our interest in politics, Wife figured that this show would be right up our alley.

Infinitely talented Nathan Lane stars in the play, along with Laurie Metcalf (probably best known for playing the sister on Rosanne) and Dylan Baker (to say nothing of his television and Broadway performances, he has had roles in Across the Universe; The Hunting Party; Fido; Spider-Man 2 and 3; Hide & Seek; Head of State; Road to Perdition; Changing Lanes; Along Came a Spider; Thirteen Days; Happiness; Disclosure; Delirious; Planes, Trains & Automobiles and The Long Walk Home. Along with starring roles in television movies Drive; The Book of Daniel; The Laramie Project; The Pitts; Feds; and Murder One.

Without a doubt, the play has a phenomenal cast. While the entire cast was great, Nathan Lane did a particularly outstanding job with his role. Several times, I just sat back astonished at his talent and comedic timing.

The breathtaking set is also worthy of note. The entire play takes place in the Oval Office, and the set is probably the most elegant I have ever seen. While the play takes shots at various political views (including mine), I still found the show to be extremely humorous, sharp, and witty.

Done

Today marked the conclusion of my Law School academic career. Everything is done. All that is left is the graduation. The journey has been wonderful, but more intense than I anticipated. Tax lawyers are a very intense bunch. Shockingly, while we are a minority at Law School, we take up a majority of the study space in the library.

The final push during the last six weeks has been incredible; typically each day has consisted of 17 to 21 hours of intense interpretation of code, deciphering regulations, and trying to memorize every last detail. My brain is now full.

So now, I’m going to spend some time away from the books, without any studying or memorizing. Oh, of course, that all ends once Bar preparation begins. That starts…oh…tomorrow.

Within fifteen minutes of finishing at Law School, I was headed to pick up my sixty pounds of Bar prep books.

Payless Pays More

Yesterday, a federal jury in Oregon awarded Adidas about $305 million, supposedly the largest trademark verdict ever.

This is a case that is near and dear to our hearts. Mine, simply because it is some interesting legal issues. Wife's because...well...let's just say she still recalls lot numbers of popular shoes that the chain sold a few years back. Wife has commented to me on numerous occasions that she doesn't understand how the company get away with selling fifteen dollar versions of very expensive shoes.

Predictably, Payless, owned by Kansas-based Collective Brands, called the verdict “excessive and unjustified” and said it plans to ask the court to set the verdict aside. If that request is not granted, the company “intends to take all necessary steps to overturn it. On the other hand, Adidas' lawyer predicts that while a reduction of the verdict is possible on appeal, he thinks Payless could wind up paying Adidas quite a bit more than $305 million. Upon a finding of willful infringement, the judge can not only award the plaintiffs attorneys fees (here, seven years worth) but can triple the damages portion of the verdict, which is $137 million.

Here is a copy of Addidas' brief. While I only skimmed it, the pictures are quite entertaining.

Getting Wild and Crazy in New York City

It's finals time. I'm living in the library for my very final round of this sheer torture. Spending up to 20 hours a day with my nose in outlines, statutes, and regs proves to be just as dreary as it sounds.

One woman discovered a way to make her studying slightly more palatable. Everyday she walks into the library with a tiny aquarium. The first few times I saw it, I couldn't figure out what it was - then I realized there was a fish swimming around in the water. She sets her contraption on the desk of her study space and then continues to work all day, occasionally glancing up at her little wet friend. Maybe I need to get a pet too.

Movie Shoot

Right outside of Law School there is some sort of movie shoot taking place today. It's definitely the largest one I have ever seen. There are probably 30 trucks and trailers, a hundred workers, countless cameras, and at least two food stations. I would love to explore and find out what is going on...but I'm busy.