World Buddies

After spending time working in Geneva among international organizations and observing the United Nations system, specifically during its sessions during the 2014 Human Rights Council, one of the challenges encountered was reconciling the apparent disconnect between what happens at a very broad, high-level general assembly/HRC session translating into real, positive changes for people on the ground experiencing actual human rights violations and suffering.  Seeing the discussions happening in Geneva, surrounded by the type of politics that accompany such exchanges and knowing some of the problems faced by real people in other countries, is disconcerting and tough to account for.  The Daily Show did an excellent job in this segment capturing some of these feelings that many exposed to the system experience, and in doing so, hopefully challenged citizens and their diplomats around the globe to work better and smarter together for a greater, common good.

The Daily Show

Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive

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Posted in: 3L,English,Geneva,Human Rights,J-Mad,New York City,Post-Bar Life,Switzerland,The Daily Show,United Nations,United States,World Buddies

Early Autumn in the Midwest

Pickerel Lake at the Fred Meijer Nature Preserve

Fall is finally here!  

And while for many, this means too much talk of the infamous PSL (pumpkin spice latte), it also means some beautiful Pure Michigan moments.  Last year, I had the chance to experience the Upper Peninsula at the peak of its fall color glory.  

Lake of the Clouds

At Tahquamenon Falls

With ArtPrize (official site) happening in West Michigan at the moment, I decided to make it over for the festival as well as to see a bit of fall color around that part of the state (check out this link for more places to see fall colors around western Michigan).  Although the week I chose happened to be grey and rainy, it still made for some beautiful shots.  And what's autumn in Michigan without a bit of crisp, cool rain anyway?

This tree is so cool against the sky.

Look at that reflection in the water.

Love this one.  That tree is so cool.

In addition to Pickerel Lake, I made it out to the greatest lake, Lake Michigan, to experiment with my first time lapse shot.  It's nothing really fancy or long, and just before I got to the lake, the sun dipped behind some storm clouds so most of the color was obscured, but it was still pretty cool.  Next time, I'll be sure to pick a better day and to stay longer and/or slow down the rate of frames per second for a better effect. 

First Ever Time Lapse shot!

This is the time lapse shot on YouTube (if the format is better than the gif).  

And some stills... (although every time that I hear the name "Big Red Lighthouse," it makes me think of this scene from The Office).

Big Red Lighthouse

My favorite shot, I think.

With a bit more exploring around Lake Michigan and at Blandford Nature Center, it's a beautiful time to enjoy the best of the Midwest.

Enjoy the colors of the season!

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Posted in: #puremichigan,Big Red Lighthouse,English,Fall,Great Lakes,Holland,J-Mad,Lake Michigan,Michigan,Pickerel Lake,Post-Bar Life,Pure Michigan,Summer,Time Lapse,United States

Nearing the End of the Bar Exam

Story of My Life.

The Bar Exam is ALMOST OVER.

There's three clips that keep running through my head.

(Start at 0:24)

And then sometimes, I feel a little like Kanye West is shouting at me every time I review my practice test answers...


But Kanye can be helpful too sometimes.  The USA Today published a Kanye West Self-Confidence Generator in case you're feeling down.  Check it out here.

Also, Kid President makes lots of things better.

In terms of a fresh perspective on a few things I've studied so far, a la the brief update I posted involving civil procedure and depositions, I came up with a good analogy for describing the difference between contract defenses and contract excuses.  In contract defenses, you're talking about situations that prevent a legally binding contract from ever being formed in the first place (there is no contract), but excuses are for situations where there clearly is a valid contract, but something just came up that makes it really difficult or impossible for one side to perform (there is a contract though).  Sort of like this clip from The Matrix.

In other positive news, and on a more serious note, I received this email the other day from the International Campaign for Tibet regarding HH XIV Dalai Lama's 79th birthday on July 6th.  You can send your pledge to keep your mind and heart more compassionate here.  Also, the Dalai Lama's laugh is just pure contagious happiness.

Aaaand, I thought of a much better summer song than what I've been playing.  Can't go wrong with this.

Kodachrome!  
Give us those nice bright colors
That give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah

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Posted in: Bar Exam,compassion,Dalai Lama,English,J-Mad,SNL,Tibet,United States