The Goal.....All 50 States

Check out this site, which gives you a map where you can plot the states you've visited. I actually found it off Rebecca's blog, "The Mercied," so you'll have to ask her where she got it.

I have only been to 16 states, plus the District of Columbia. That might be more than many people have had the chance to visit, but my goal (which, of course, you can figure out by reading the title to this post) is to visit all 50 states someday. It is an obsession of mine ever since I was a little boy, and we went to Disney World, which is when I got to go through South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and then Tennessee and Kentucky on the way home. I hadn't really thought about visiting more until last summer, when I got to visit Arizona (a beautiful state) and Massachusetts (lots of history). So as of this post, my map looks like this:



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

I will get to visit at least two more this year-New Jersey in a few weeks for the Moot Court competition, and Connecticut in August for the Acton Institute convention. So after this summer, my map will look like this:



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

And of course, here is the ultimate goal:



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Here are the top 5 states I am looking forward to travelling to someday:

1) Utah-I have heard a lot about it from my friend who has worked in Zion National Park. I thought I would want to avoid the desert after spending a couple of weeks in the burning heat of Arizona, but there is something incredible about the vast expanses of the West, something that I got only a small taste of, and that made me want to go back. In Utah, I want to see the Arches and Zion national parks, the Wasatch mountains, and Promontory Point, the site of the "golden spike" that completed the transcontinental railroad.

2) Oregon/Washington (tie)-I have always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest, especially the Oregon coast where they filmed "The Goonies." I've heard that it is rainy there, but I'd take that over snow any time. Plus, Washington would be a cool place to visit to see the Space Needle and Mount Rainier. Seattle is the headquarters of Starbucks-one trip there and I could JOG back to Ohio.

3) Wyoming-Yellowstone is the big attraction here, plus Devil's Tower, but really, most of the state is a national park. It's not crowded, and would be the ideal place to go camping for a few weeks, or maybe a few months after I retire. It's probably one of the few places left in the United States where you can go to find real "wilderness," and hopefully I will either get to know someone with land here, or I can buy it myself.

4) Vermont-I'd like to take a trip through New England; a couple of my friends went through here last May, and visited 9 states in 7 hours. Really, I could pick any of the New England states here (except Massachusetts, since I have been there already), but Vermont and New Hampshire would be nice to see, especially in the fall. Plus, on the way there I could stop to see some Revolutionary War sites, like Fort Ticonderoga in New York.

Finding Creativity Again....Maybe

Once I get out of law school, I am going to rekindle one of my lost passions-creative writing. This has been a lost art for me for a long time, so I should probably tell you about how the creative juices first got flowing.

Probably my first foray into this began in the fifth grade. I was attending a visual and performing arts school at the time. This was a new school in the Akron public school system that was made to bring in children with talents in drama, visual art, instrumental and vocal music, and dance. In the mornings, we attended what was called the "exploratory wheel", which meant taking each of these classes for about 6 weeks. Then, in the afternoon, we would each go to our "specialty" class, kind of like a fifth-grade version of choosing a college major. A small group of us would then work one-on-one with the drama teacher, learning about acting and the different types of performing arts, such as plays and musicals. Being around other people who were interested in the arts made me decide to try creative writing.

I started out small. Up until about 6th grade, I loved to play with GI Joes. I would draw stories about made-up characters represented by action figures (my favorite was "Powerman", a secret agent with different special abilities, sort of like the X-Men). By the time I had reached sixth and seventh grade, I was writing short stories about Gary Grant, a boy who took time out of his busy junior-high schedule to fight crime. Even though they were cheesy and kind of cliche when I think back on them today, I still smile thinking of all the fun I had drawing them.

By high school, I had read books like the "Chronicles of Narnia" and decided I wanted to write a fantasy story. Other books that had an influence on me growing up were "Redwall" by Brian Jacques, about animals (mostly mice) that fight off rat invaders, and a book called "Goblins in the Castle" by Bruce Colville. By the time I reached high school, about three or four years had passed since I had read them. This was enough time to start formulating ideas in my head about what would make a readable and entertaining fantasy story that would also be a lot of fun to write. I decided I would devote my free time to the project until I had a manuscript in hand.

Then came my sophomore year of high school. From here on, my focus changed to academics and extracurricular activities like choir, plays and musicals. This meant I had less, if any, time to think about creative writing. I gradually shifted to poetry, since it took less time and it was a more efficient way to express my thoughts. I still would work on formulating a story idea and characters every once in a while, but it gradually got pushed aside as I got closer to graduating and moving on to college.

Every once in a while, I think back to those old stories again, and how there weren't that many things I enjoyed quite as much as writing. It was just like reading a good adventure story, like "The Hobbit" or C.S. Lewis-something that really sparked your imagination and balanced out the more left-brained subjects like math or biology. But what kind of story will I write someday (and I will write it someday, even if I have to wait until I retire)? It will be a fantasy/adventure story, like so many others. But it will be my own, and I will find a way to make it unique.

Right now, I have continued to move on to other things, and the creative writing hobby I used to have has faded over time. But it's definitely something I would like to start working on again after I graduate, depending on how much spare time I have. So come 2008, I will be getting out that chapter synopsis again, putting pen to paper, and indulging my creative side once more.

Summer of 2006, pt. 6

Dispatches from Columbus, since I am staying at my apartment this weekend:

- Cincinnati is a nice city. I had only been through the city once before this summer, coming home from a trip to Florida, and I didn't get a chance to see it. This past week, I went downtown with the attorney I am working for to observe a deposition, and I got to see the area down by the river. Some of the landmarks I plan to visit: the Taft House and Museum, the Newport Aquarium, the Cincinnati Zoo, and of course go to a Reds game. There is an area on the Kentucky side of the river, called Newport-on-the-Levee, that has stores, restaurants, etc., kind of like Easton here in Columbus.

- I met with my treasurer today to discuss our plans for the Moritz chapter of the Christian Legal Society. We are planning to focus on reaching out and serving-the components of integrating our faith with our work as law students and, soon to come, lawyers.

Every other Thursday night throughout the semester, we will be having a Bible study, that is open to all students. We are still discussing topics, but my goal is to make all parts of Scripture relevant to our lives as Christians, not just as law students. I plan to cover topics that may have seemed “off limits” to Christians in the past. For example, what does the Bible have to say about our use of the Internet and modern technology? What does the Word say about what we should do in our spare time? There are countless ways to relate the Bible to everyday life, and I intend to use them as a way for us to relate to each other as Christians moving with confidence through law school, the trial of our faith.

We will also be looking for ways to serve others. For this, we have to find a way to get out of our comfort zones and address the needs of a world around us that is starving for the Gospel, and for the saving grace of Jesus Christ. More to be announced soon, but suffice it to say that where God leads us, we will follow.

One other point I plan to emphasize this year is that everyone, regardless of denomination, theological or political beliefs, or even whether believers or not, is welcome at Christian Legal Society. I want to emphasize this not to water down the message of Christ, but to show how relevant it is to everyone who walks through the door. Each of us is responsible, in our own way, for putting Christ on the cross, and we all need His forgiveness. My task, as president of the group, is not only to provide leadership and direction for our community of faith, but to create the conditions where the Holy Spirit can work in our hearts, and where everyone knows they are loved and being prayed for.

Look for more updates on Christian Legal Society coming this fall.

- Good news for the Cavs: LeBron James agreed to the contract extension today, which means he will be playing in Cleveland through the 2012-2013 season. This is some of the best news Cleveland sports fans like me can get right now, because I said earlier that as long as the Cavs can sign LeBron long-term, they will have an excellent shot at winning a championship, provided they keep a solid core of talent around him.

Now they need to re-sign Drew Gooden, and settle the situation at guard. The two new draft picks sound like they could be contributors next season, and they will need to find an impact player to replace Flip Murray, who will be leaving through free agency. Ultimately, though, the future looks promising, and I have a feeling the next great rivalry in the Eastern Conference will be between the LeBron-led Cavs and the Dwayne Wade-led Heat.

Summer of 2006, pt. 2

Keeping each one short:

- I have really enjoyed the last two weeks or so. The only time when things have gotten dull was when I wasn't home; I drove down to the apartment over the weekend to go to dinner with some friends and have a meeting for CLS.

So far during this break, we have done a lot; went to the Cleveland Zoo (my favorite animal is the lion), went to the Aeros game (the Akron Aeros are the Indians' AA team, and we're going again Thursday), and have had plenty of time to go swimming at my brother's house. It has really been a fantastic break, and I am alternating my time between relaxing and studying for the Blackstone.

- It doesn't look like the Indians are going anywhere, unless they can get another winning streak going like they did last year. The offense is decent, but they need more than two pitchers (Sabathia and Wickman) to step up and carry the load. Plus, the Central Division just keeps getting tougher, since now Detroit seems like a legitimate contender. If they don't start winning soon, it will all be over by the All-Star Break, winning streak or not.

- Despite what my friend Aaron (the Steelers fan) says, I have high hopes for the Browns this year. I think Savage, the GM, seems to know what he's doing, by bringing together what looks like the beginning of a solid offensive line. Ultimately, it all comes down to Charlie Frye. If he has a breakout year, and he has a chance to with Winslow and Braylon Edwards back, you just might see the Browns in the playoffs.

- I was disappointed that the Cavs couldn't knock off Detroit in the playoffs, but they'll be back next year. If they can sign LeBron James long term, I think he will lead them to a championship, assuming they keep a solid team around him. Here are my predictions: LeBron will sign another five-year deal to stay in Cleveland, the Cavs will trade Z, possibly for an elite point guard and scorer (I heard Allen Iverson, but that's unlikely), and the Cavs will win 50-55 games next year. I'm not going to make a prediction on the playoffs, though-anything can happen.

- I am going to have some pictures on here when I post while in Phoenix, so stay tuned for more posts.

The Battle of Gettysburg

Tonight, I had the chance to watch the movie "Gettysburg" for the first time in a few years. It tells the complete story of the battle, based on Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels." Great movie-it stars Martin Sheen (Robert E. Lee), Tom Berenger (Gen. Longstreet), and Sam Elliott (Gen. Buford, the Union cavalry commander). I first saw it at the theater when it came out, back in 1993. All I can remember was watching the part towards the center of the movie, the engagement at Little Round Top with Col. Joshua Chamberlain (played by Jeff Daniels), and the screen went dark. We thought it was over, until we saw the word "Intermission" on the screen.

I am going to be a Civil War reenactor after I graduate law school. I have always been a history buff, ever since I can remember. The first time I saw a reenactment, I was at Hale Farm, near Akron. I was little, maybe about 8 or 9, but I was taken by the uniforms, the lines of troops, and the loud artillery. I knew when I got older that this was going to be something I could really sink my teeth into, where I could find a hobby that I could do the rest of my life.

I have been to some websites on reenacting, and read up on it, and it seems like if you want to be a reenactor, you can choose to be as committed or as part-time as you like. It all depends on the unit you join. After I graduate, I plan to start by going to a couple of events, to observe, maybe talk to some reenactors, and learn how everything is done. The nice thing is that they will probably be able to use me. I plan to be a Union soldier, and from what I hear, most reenactors want to be Confederates.

After that, I plan to either find a unit to join, or sign up for events as my schedule allows, depending on how it is done and how much commitment is required. Realistically I will probably look to go to events a couple of times a year, and being a litigator, my schedule will vary depending on the demands with which I am faced under the litigation process. So signing up ahead of time will be difficult, but I will see what happens.

On a related note, I hope to visit some more battlefields soon. A few summers ago, I took a trip down to Virginia, and visited Fredericksburg. I stood on Marye's Heights, where the Confederate army was dug in against the Union advance. Looking down at the Rappahannock River, you can see why the Union army got slaughtered. It's a steep hill, and at the time there was almost no tree cover-the bluecoats were like sitting ducks. Today it's a busy downtown area with trees and buildings everywhere, but the trenches and stone wall are still there. And there is a house near the wall that is still standing-and riddled with bullet holes from guns fired in 1862.

I also got to visit Chancellorsville, the Wilderness battlefield, and New Market in the Shenandoah Valley. The saddest thing I saw was the modern encroachment. I realize that not every square inch can be preserved, but we ate at a McDonald's at Chancellorsville where some Union or Confederate soldier might have been shot or bayoneted 130 years ago. It's inspiring to me, as someone who loves history, to walk fields where men fought and died to keep this country together. I hope we can keep at least some of these battlefields preserved, so my children's children can see them unspoiled, and remember what happened all those years ago. I know if I ever hold office, there will be no one who supports preservation more.

And I am planning on going back to Gettysburg. Watching the movie makes me want to see it all again, and I am planning on getting over there sometime, maybe after I graduate.

New Look

I am making a few changes to the blog to help make posts easier to access, and provide more information for visitors, in addition to the new look.

From now on, I will try to categorize posts by title:
- "Legal News": any posts having to do with law-related stories or topics that are not directly related to classes.
- "On (topic)": any posts relating to the Christian life and law school.
- "Reading: (book title)": book reviews.

These are the only categories right now, unless I need to add others. Also, I added some links to sites of interest (and importance to me), such as the Alliance Defense Fund and the Christian Legal Society. I will be interning as part of the Blackstone Legal Fellowship with the ADF this summer, and I will be president of the Christian Legal Society at the Moritz College of Law for the 2006-2007 year. The last link is to a list of law student blogs, which includes this one.

Check back soon for more posts.