Looking for hope

Glen Greenwald: An Answer to Prop 8 - Repealing DOMA.  Both Biden and Obama have made some big claims and promises - including Biden in the VP debates, where he said that "in an Obama-Biden administration, there will be absolutely no distinction from a constitutional standpoint or a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple" - it's time to back them up.  Now.

Californians Ready to Repeal Prop 8.

Letter to the Gov: Repeal Prop 8.

Bil Browning: Today is the Day but I'm Angry Instead.

Melissa Etheridge is awesome: You Can Forget My Taxes.

Tim Wise, "Good, and Now Back to Work"

This victory is not the end of struggle - in many ways it is only the beginning.  And, yet, it is cause for celebration, and pride, and hope.  Once again, Tim Wise writes eloquently and powerfully on this crossroads we are at:

...let me say this, to some of those on the left - some of my friends and longtime compatriots in the struggle for social justice - who yet insist that there is no difference between Obama and McCain, between Democrats and Republicans, between Biden and Palin: Screw you.

If you are incapable of mustering pride in this moment, and if you cannot appreciate how meaningful this day is for millions of black folks who stood in lines for up to seven hours to vote, then your cynicism has become such an encumbrance as to render you all but useles to the liberation movement.

"This victory alone is not the change we seek, it is only the chance for us to make that change"

There are still so many fears I have for our country, and so much anger and disappointment I feel about this election (primarily the fate of Prop 8, and my anger at dems like Obama who didn't lend their support), but for now I want to take a moment to just say.....

President Barack Obama!!!!!

Democracy today.

GREAT article from Jezebel on a thought-provoking issue: Why You Shouldn't Vote For A Bad Guy With Good Positions: "Jim Moran is a wife-smacking, bribe-taking, black child-shaking anti-Semite that has earned the protection of the local Democratic party as well as many prominent, national Democratic women like Donna Brazile and Patricia Ireland in exchange for voting the 'right' way." 

Women Choose Tina Fey's Specs Over Sarah Palin's.

At left: very cute prints and designs @ Story by Mia.

Salon helps us Read the Numbers on Election Day.

And that's it for me!  I'm off to go watch election results come in!  I can't remember the last time I was so anxious....I'm definitely still scarred from Bush v. Gore though, and it will almost take an inauguration for me to believe any election is over...

Things I Love: This American Life

Two amazing shows from This American Life in September:

Settling the Score: "Stories about the lengths we go to make things right, and about what money can and cannot fix." (don't read the rest of the description on the site, it just ruins it!)

Going Big: "Stories about people who take grand, sweeping approaches to solving problems of all sorts." The first story, about the Harlem Children's Zone was particularly moving and thought-provoking to me.

Check them out! God, I love Ira Glass and the whole crew at TAL....

"I'd like to wear silver and purple gym clothes all day!"

Another piece of the ongoing discussion about women and their body issues: an interview with Valerie Frankel, the author of Thin Is The New Happy.

"I'd like to wear silver and purple gym clothes all day!"  This kid is pretty cool.

Ridiculously priced, but I love me a flip clock and fun with fonts: The Font Clock.

This girl is awesome: "Snow White!  That's a princess name!  Get that out of here!"

The great design to the left is from GoodSense Design via Abbey Goes Design Shopping.  I also like the AGDS post on the her dream office.  I like the photo she posts, but I would definitely need a larger (and rectangular table).  Must spread out and make a mess!

I'm looking forward to my next party so that I try these out!  Pingg looks like a step up from Evite...

V.O.T.E.

I love this story of a long-lost painting in CNN.com: "300-year-long lost painting heads to the auction block." It reminds me of a novel I very much enjoyed, Headlong by Michael Frayn (2000). I may just have to reread that book, actually....

Via Gawker: "Roll Call reports: 'The juror who was dismissed from the criminal trial of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to attend the funeral of her father in California admitted Monday that her father had not died, and that she went to California to attend a horse race.' Everything about the Ted Stevens trial was and is hilarious." I can't get behind all the Alaska hating in the comments section, but it is pretty incredible that someone would lie in a federal trial so that they could go bet....Sigh. Alaska. Wild place.

An ongoing discussion about being out in the legal workplace at AboveTheLaw.

"Top 10 Wired.com Yellow Photos, Decided by You."

I thought this was a rumor but it appears to be true...Palin prank.

Also, Hulu's got all the new episodes of one of my favorite shows/guilty pleasures, Bones.

She works hard for the money. And it ain't much money.

In Neil H. Buchanan's recent paper (reported in Ms. JD, Daddy Bonus, Mommy Penalty), "Why Do Women Lawyers Earn Less Than Men? Parenthood and Gender in a Survey of Law School Graduates," he found a correlation between parental status and salary.  Unsurprisingly, the correlation was not the same between the sexes: while men who were fathers tended to receive higher salaries than non-fathers (the "daddy bonus"), mothers earned 10-15% less than their childless peers (and therefor 25-35% less than fathers!) (the "mommy penalty").

From Boston: For black voters, elation, dismay.

Maybe this bilingual (and adorable) design blog will help me, finally, learn Spanish....El Beso!

I love this clean, modern, yet sweet set of bird designs (left).  What a great way to start the day!

Another design blog I'm loving: The Style Files.

I appreciated this discussion of women making other female friends - socializing in general seems to take a lot more effort than we all expected.  Some of my friends have a good "going out" crew but not many close friends.  Others are the exact opposite.  Some seem to have, like one of the women in the article, lots of couple friends but no one-on-one options for socializing.  After almost three years in Boston, I am finally starting to feel like I have a community...and now I'm looking at moving to a very different place - Miami.  Different climate, different culture, different....almost everything.  And I've been thinking about how I will go about finding a community of people now that I won't have a built in school life, for instance.  I definitely think it's doable, but I also think it's nice to see people acknowledge it takes a little effort.

One of my favorite pieces from The Onion: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, Marry Me.

So I got a plan, it's the best that I can do

Barack and Mom Jeans. Love it.

Celebrate Amy Poehler and Will Arnett's baby boy by chuckling at four of her best skits!

Exit Art.!I pretty much love everything about this site (I'm sure I would love the actual place too, if I had been...). Exit Art is a 25-year-old cultural center in New York City founded by Directors Jeanette Ingberman and Papo Colo. It has grown from a pioneering alternative art space into a model artistic center for the 21st century committed to supporting artists whose quality of work reflects the transformations of our culture. As part of the long weekend in NYC I'm always planning and never acting on, I'd love to go see their current show, Signs of Change: Social Movement Cultures 1960s to Now.

It's been along time since I was an avid reader of Ms. (although it certainly was very important to me as a teen in rural Oregon), but this current issue looks pretty rockin. Maybe it's time I check it out again.

Stay in school, 'cause it's the best! "The United States is now the only industrialized country in which kids are less likely to graduate from high school than their parents."

Things I Love: Chet Baker

A 1951 photograph by Claxton started a relationship with Chet Baker, seen here in a 1954 Claxton photo, that continued for the next five or six years as the photographer chronicled the musician's rise to fame as one of the most visible jazz performers of the decade.

Things I Love: Riding the Bus

I ride the 23 bus to and from court a few times a week, and it's one of the joys in my life. The 23 may not have a great reputation, bit it winds through three different neighborhoods of Boston, is always packed with kids headed to and from school, and gives me the only uninterrupted hour or so to listen to all the radio programs I love. Today I listened to a Fresh Air episode from October 17, 2008. The show had two great interviews conducted by Terry Gross, the first with Charles Ardai, founder of Hard Case Crime, "publishing group that reprints classic crime fiction and publishes new pulp fiction in paperback editions. Ardai, who writes under the pen name Richard Aleas, has won the Edgar Award for mystery writing." In addition to honoring the writing style and content of pulp fiction, the press also creates new covers to mirror the now infamous cover style. (The one at left is for Ardai's addition to the collection). The talk between Ardai and Gross touches on British Romantic poetry, pulp fiction, and the Holocaust - yet another example of Gross' peerless interviewing skills. I can't wait to get home and pick up some of the Hard Case collection! Every time I go for too long without reading a great mystery, I realize something's been missing...

The second half of the program is a replay of Gross' previously recorded interview with photographer William Claxton. Claxon "got his start taking photos of jazz musicians in natural settings instead of smoky lounges. His 1967 film Basic Black was considered the first fashion video." His photos of Chet Baker, in particular, are well known. Listening to Claxton reflect on the process of getting casual and classic shots of these sometimes difficult subjects is great and, as I commonly feel hearing about the glory days of jazz, makes me heartbroken that I wasn't alive to see it. William Claxton died this year, at age 80.

PrObama Nation

I have a computer! After a week (was it only a week?) of computer-less existence, and multiple attempts to get my ThinkPad back up and running, I've caved in and am now the proud (albeit a bit confused) owner of the shiny, new MacBook. There are a lot of things about it that I am adjusting too, but I can tell I will be a big fan. Already one person has recommended that I get something called "The Missing Manual" to help with the transition, and I am planning to attend one of the Apple Store's free tutorials on learning how to use my new toy - any other tips on transitioning into the Apple user I was (clearly) meant to be?

Alas, in the mess that was the quick breakdown of my last computer, I have lost all my notes, photos, and music. Yes, thousands of dollars and years of memories. When will I learn to reliably back up? Not my 27th year, apparently. That said, I have recently had similar things happen (like my college-era email account self-erase) and, all in all, I don't mind letting it all go so much. I don't need some old Yahoo! account to remember what my early 20's were like, or 20,000 photos documenting every time where I successfully (or not so successfully) socialized. That said, I do miss my music. Therefore, mix cds and general music donations will be accepted.

In lieu of my missing music, I have returned to Pandora, ol' reliable. Currently: Jay-Z station.

Someone just told me about Design for Obama, a website successfully combining one thing I love and one thing I believe is the lesser of two evils in this year's presidential race. A friend of a friend (legit connection!) has a submission that I think is pretty rockin'.

In honor of tomorrow, the scarily accurate Five Costumes You Meet At A Halloween Party. And no, I won't be dressing up - I'm in court tomorrow and it might be a little inappropriate. Also, I'm a wuss when it comes to forced creativity.

Beatles-version Rock Band-esq video game? I'm listening...

When you're all alone, and the pretty birds have flown

As the election nears, valid concerns about ballot tampering in Florida (NYTimes): "Wounds have not healed here in Duval County since the mangled presidential election of 2000, when more than 26,000 ballots were discarded as invalid for being improperly punched. Nearly 40 percent of the votes were thrown out in the predominantly Democratic-leaning African-American communities around Jacksonville, a reality that has caused suspicions of racial bias to linger, even though intentional disenfranchisement was never proved."

Harvard Law School's response to the current economic crisis. When HLS students are stressed about employment, you know we are all....worried. Yes, let's go with "worried." Let's not say "distraught" or "frantic" or any of the other words springing to mind...

Ah, the perfect fix for the economy-induced crabbiness...S'Mores Brownies. They look amazing...who wants to make me a batch?

Another good response to economy w0es....escapism! I can't wait to see Quantum of Solace! After initial doubts about Daniel Craig, I loved Casino Royale.....

SF Chronicle: Oakland woman slain - estranged husband held

This weekend yet another woman was killed as a result of domestic violence. Elnora Caldwell, a 46-year old Oakland resident, was in the process of divorcing her husband, and had successfully taken out a restraining order against him, when he stabbed her to death.

An article on Feministing discusses the futility of a restraining order in such extreme (although unfortunately not rare) situations. As someone who currently spends two days a week helping victims of domestic abuse get restraining orders, I have so many varied responses to this article ("Is A Restraining Order Ever Enough?" by Feministing.com). Obviously, the situation they are discussing is outrageous and heartbreaking, and the author is 100% right that restraining orders are not, by any means, a cure all for challenging issues of partner violence. That said, I have also seen the process of getting a restraining order be very empowering for clients and an RO can often serve a valuable role in the process of ending violent situations. No one should underestimate the prevalence of domestic violence in our country.

The author writes:

A quarter of women experience domestic violence and the murder of women via intimate partner violence and homicide is the fourth leading cause of death for women of childbearing age and 1/3 of women murdered are by intimate partners. Yet all of the resources that are available to us do not effectively solve the problem, nor do they save lives. Where were the cops? Why was he not being patrolled or why was he not forced to relocate? Or why was he not put in rehabilitative services, counseling, anything? What does it take to take that kind of action? He has to kill her first?

These statistics are true and horrifying. It also takes so much more than an RO, or any one of the actions she lists, to truly solve the horrible problem of domestic violence. It takes parents who raise their kids outside of gender boundaries and in homes filled with respect. Schools where violence and sexism are not tolerated. A criminal justice system that is not riddled with neglect, violence, and abuse. The fact that they are considering the death penalty for the perpetrator may provide solice for some, but for me it is a reminder of the futility of our current criminal justice system. Killing a man will not stop future acts of domestic violence. It is the guilty response of a system that knows it has already failed. And I think this is where the author of the article and I agree: victims of domestic violence, as well as their children, parents, family members, and friends, deserve more than weak attempts at retroactive justice. They deserve a society that tunes in long before the word "murder" is ever in the headlines.

The finer things

This leather jacket is at the top of my fall wishlist....It will probably stay there though, instead of in my closet....Stupid economy!

For the upcoming holiday: How to Get Frankenstein's Makeup in 30 Minutes.

NYMag's favorite watches. I love all the new colors they are releasing the G-Shock in!

Jezebel does a J.Crew shopping spree for the ladies of the 2008 election. Love it.

Diane Wilkerson

Big news in Boston! From The Globe:

Embattled state senator arrested by FBI
By Globe Staff

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested earlier this morning by the FBI following an undercover operation that centered around a deal in Crosstown, where Roxbury meets the South End, according to two government officials. One government official said that, as part of the undercover operation, a bribe was offered from an FBI agent to the embattled state senator. Wilkerson's campaign manager Boyce Slayman confirmed that Wilkerson was led away in handcuffs. "I'm with her now at the headquarters," Slayman said, apparently referring to police headquarters.

Wilkerson has represented Roxbury for more than a decade, but lost the Democratic primary to Sonia Chang-Diaz earlier this month. Until today's arrest, Wilkerson has been mounting a sticker campaign to regain her seat in the November election. Wilkerson is also facing the loss of her license to practice law. The Board of Bar Overseers has alleged she lied under oath at a 2005 Suffolk Superior Court hearing, an allegation she has denied. The charges, which were unsealed this morning in a 32-page affidavit, contend that Wilkerson accepted $13,500 bribes in exchange for, among other things, helping the nightclub Deja Vu get a liquor license.

The arrest this morning came after an 18-month investigation which included undercover informants and audio and video surveillance of Wilkerson allegedly accepting payoffs in restaurants on Beacon Hill. According to the affidavit, Wilkerson brought along a grandchild when she accept a $1,000 kickback on Aug. 31, 2007, at the Fill-A-Buster restaurant. On June 18, 2007, Wilkerson allegedly stuffed a $1,000 payoff into her bra during a meeting with an informant at No. 9 Park which was surreptitiously recorded with audio and video.

Check out the pictures - unreal: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/70878-Dianne-Wilkerson-nabbed/?page=1#TOPCONTENT

Too cute.

Arg...

Being without a computer is insanely annoying. I think I use mine more than the average person, which is too much already I'm sure - to take notes on during class, to watch all my movies on, for email, banking...everything. So being without for even 4 days is trying my patience. For those of you curious, I have decided (with almost 90% certainty) to go with the new MacBook. The only annoyance is the added almost $400 required in order to get Works, a warranty plan, etc. It adds up and this isn't really an economy that inspires spending. Anyways, hopefully I will love it and think it's all worthwhile. We'll see.

I did find this in my Inbox from the Daily Heller and it elicited at least a small amount of delight in my crabby Monday self. This month marks the 100th anniversary of the widely recognized London Underground logo! Ever since visiting England with my Dad when I was 12 or so, the Underground logo has filled me with pleasant memories - London was the first time I had ever been out of the US and maybe even my first time in a city...at least my first time in a city with public transportation that I rode (hey, I grew up in Alaska). I remember being so impressed that we could ride around on this magic machine that took us (and everyone else!) where we wanted to go - to some extent I have retained that sense of glee about public transportation by not living in a city until now. Although Boston's T leaves something to be desired, I still get a kick out of the fact that I havent owned a car the whole time I have lived here and really haven't had the need. So happy 100th birthday Underground logo! Thanks for being my introduction to good design and sensible public transport.

Diner's Bill of Rights

Selections from the Diner's Bill of Rights:

• Be friendly. Be very friendly. But don't try to be my friend, at least on the first visit. Don't touch me. Don't eavesdrop on my conversation and try to join in.

• When reciting the specials, include prices.

• Enter the orders into the system to ensure that the entrees do not arrive while we are still "working on" (to use your term) our appetizers.

• Check our drinks throughout the meal. They shouldn't get any lower than 1/3 full before you ask for another. Conversely, conversing is difficult when you’re trying to replace my water after every sip.

• Check back with us about 90 seconds after serving. I empathize with you on this one, because there's a fine line between too soon and not soon enough. Too soon and we haven't really had enough time to assess everything. Not soon enough and you're potentially compounding an error by making us wait longer for a correction.

• Look for clues that there may be a problem, even if nobody speaks up: a scowl, a mostly uneaten pile of food left defiantly on the plate, a hushed comment to a dining companion while pointing at the food. Ask if there's something wrong with the dish or if there’s something you can do.

• When placing my second beer or glass of wine on the table, never ever remove the first one if there's still a sip or more left.

• If I pay with cash, don't ask if I want change. Just tell me you'll bring me the change and leave it to me to tell you to keep the whole thing. If you do bring change, bring it promptly.

Via NYMag's Grub Street.

I'm ready to pre-tire...

Pretty excited about this!: "Sources say that Maya Rudolph will return to SNL this weekend to play Michelle Obama!"

On that note: "I'd like to think I'm one part practiced folksy, one part sassy and a little dash of high school bitchy."

"Pre-tirement" in the WSJ. Also, Corporette's poll results re: professional women and tattoos.

"Tracy Jordan—er, Morgan."

And, finally, the Chemerinksy v. Jacobs pro-bono debate (for us law nerds), which began with these comments made by Judge Dennis Jacobs at a meeting of the Federalist Society recently:

. . . In honor of this occasion, I am going to make some remarks that are perhaps more than usually provocative. . . I will touch on some of the anti-social effects of some pro bono activity; I will try to explain why such observations are virtually never made by judges; and I will encourage the kind of pro bono activity that is an aspect of traditional American volunteerism. My point, in a nutshell, is that much of what we call legal work for the public interest is essentially self-serving: Lawyers use public interest litigation to promote their own agendas, social and political. . . Lawyers and firms use pro bono litigation for training and experience. Big law firms use public interest litigation to assist their recruiting–to confer glamor on their work, and to give solace to overworked law associates . . . There are citizens in every profession, craft and walk of life who are active in promoting their own political views and agendas. When they do this, it is understood that they are advancing their own views and interests. But when lawyers do it, through litigation, it is said to be work for the public interest. Well, sometimes yes, and sometimes no.