Ode to the Dismal Scientist

So we have been meaning to post something as a reward for being the 1,000th official visitor to our blog. Our friend, Rich, apparently couldn't help but get the 999th AND the 1,000th, but despite the controversy, we aren't sure who 1,001 was so we have decided to officially grant the reward to him.

Here is a picture of Rich. Rich is a Dismal Scientist. I know this because that is what he named his Fantasy Football team. From context clues, I have concluded that he must be a Dismal Football Fantasy Scientist based on his team's first two weeks performance; his team is pretty dismal. Hopefully with his 1,000th visit, his luck will turn around.

All kidding aside, Rich is actually a dismal scientist (a/k/a- economist). It is called the dismal science for several reasons. One reason is that apparently, economists can only have one hand. This is evident as they frequently answer questions like this: " Well on one hand you have X; Or you can have the other hand which has Y." I wonder which hand Rich chose to give up (Maybe he gave up his mouse clicking hand- that might explain the his fantasy football performance).

Another thing about economists is that they like bow ties. Rich LOVES wearing bow ties (He likes them so much, he will only eat farfalle). This past Wednesday evening, I ran into another economist on the street after my night class. His name is Alan and he was wearing a bow tie (here is a picture). He was only a few feet away, but there was a crowd asking him to sign copies of his new book. I guess Alan chose to keep his good signature hand. If you are going to be a famous economist, that seems to be a wise choice. I sure hope Rich kept his signature hand...

I wanted to conclude this little ode to Rich, the Dismal Science and Bow Ties with a personal tribute of my own: I am now the proud owner of a bow tie (thanks to my father-in-law). I have always wanted to learn how to tie my own bow tie and he and I got a great deal on some Ralph Lauren ties in Park City this past August. Elysa, ever the doubting attorney (I am learning that doubt is a desirable trait an attorney should have), scoffed that I could never pull off a bow tie. I turned her around to the wedding pictures hanging on the wall behind her; I thought I pulled it off quite well. Then she claimed (this is called "pleading in the alternative") it was because I was wearing a tux. But after a few tries (and a poor set of instructions from wikipedia), here is the result. We decided that I could pull it off, but only if I was wearing my glasses (the contacts just didn't seem to work). What do you think? Can I pull off a bow tie like a dismal scientist?

Some Firsts for Us

Both Lake and I have had some recent firsts. Lake just started his first year of law school at George Washington University. I just finished my first week of my first real job as an associate at Baker Botts. Lake has handled the first few stress-packed weeks of law school like a champ. He has been very studious, which is why I have been managing our blog posts lately. If you have noticed a recent decline in blog content, you have your explanation.
I also just started my new job at the law firm. It has been great to be back at the firm and see old friends and meet new people. I have tried to hit the ground running and am involved in several projects. We are excited to be opening this new chapter in our lives!

Mom and Me Tour 2007: New York City

My mom and I escaped to New York City for a quick trip before I start work on Tuesday. We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, attended two Broadway shows, went to the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island, and ate at Tavern on the Green....all in 2 1/2 days!!

My mom and I at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in front of the Egyptian Temple of Dendur.

We saw Wicked our first night in New York. Wicked is a musical about the wicked witch of the west from "The Wizard of Oz". It is a fabulous musical and I would highly recommend this show; you will be singing the soundtrack for months to come afterwards! It was awesome to see the actual show after listening to the music for the past year. I loved wearing these hot red shoes to Wicked!

I am very proud of this picture I took of the Statute of Liberty from the base of the pedestal on Liberty Island. I have become a Statute of Liberty groupie; I now own a Statute of Liberty T-shirt, tote bag, key chain, and tasteful Christmas ornament.

My mom and I on the top of the pedestal of the Statute of Liberty with Manhattan's skyline in the background. We are sporting coordinating Statute of Liberty T-shirts and tote bags. If you can believe it, people kept asking us if we were from New York while wearing this tourist garb!

Me at Ellis Island. I loved Ellis Island. It was so fascinating to learn about all the immigrants that came to the United States through Ellis Island. I would highly recommend visiting this historic site.

We couldn't resist seeing Legally Blond the Musical on Broadway. It was such an entertaining musical with fun music and dancing. It was different enough from the movie so that there are some surprises. If you liked the movie, you will love Legally Blond the musical!

Tavern on the Green is a historical and famous restaurant in Central Park. We had lunch in the Crystal Room of the Tavern. There was a beautiful ambiance, wonderful food, and great company. I had a fabulous, memorable trip with my mom and I hope that there will be many more to come!

Great Falls National Park

Lake and I took a few hours to enjoy the outdoors and went to Great Falls National Park. "At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge." National Park Service. Great Falls National Park. www.nps.gov/grfa/. Great Falls Park is a 800 acre park only fifteen miles from Washington, D.C. Visiting Great Falls was a nice opportunity to stretch the legs, breath fresh air, and enjoy some spectacular views without having to travel far from the city.

Our Newest Friend in Northern Virginia

Our first new friend in Northern Virginia is Olivia who is the daughter of our good friends, Chris and Amber. These pictures were taken when she was 1 week old. We figure a sure-fire way for us to make new friends is for our current friends to keep having babies! We also find that having a picture of baby on our blog increases readership and comments. Thank you Olivia for being our new friend and the subject of our eye-catching blog entry!

The Big Move

Lake and I recently undertook a move from Charlottesville to Northern Virginia. We got back from Roanoke at 8:00 p.m. the night I finished the bar and a mover came to pack us up at 10:00 a.m. the next morining. One mover packed our entire aparment in six hours by himself while we watched in amazement.

The next morning, movers arrived ahead of schedule to load up our stuff, but unfortunately, we were still in bed when they called to let us know they were on our street! Needless to say, it was a hectic morning with our stuff being loaded, and Lake and I scrambling to get the apartment clean for move-out (still in the dirty clothes from the day before, mind you!) The movers loaded up the entire apartment in 1 hour and beat us up to DC in the moving truck.

Now we live in the cardboard jungle/castle depending on your perspective. We are still trying to get all the boxes unpacked and get situated in our new place. I always forget how much work moving is, which is probably a good thing, or I would be rooted permanentley in our one bedroom condo! If you are ever in DC, please let us know, we love to keep up with our readership!

A Big Post-Bar THANK YOU!

We survived the Virgina Bar! As for passing, we will not find out for a couple of months, but it is a big relief to be done!

I want to thank all our family and friends who were so supportive and wonderful during the grueling and intensive experience known infamously and ominously as "The Bar." I had several emails, phone calls, and visits that helped me to get through it all and it was wonderful to have such an outpouring of love and support. I particularly want to thank Lake who was my biggest fan and an awesome coach throughout the months of bar study and especially in Roanoke!