Salieri

In the play Amadeus, Tom Stoppard refers to Salieri (or more truthfully Salieri refers to himself) as the patron saint of mediocrity. I have been reflecting on this intensely the past few days. Law School seems to intensify emotions of otherwise highly intelligent and rational individuals. I think this is at least in part due to the fact that all of us here have in some way defined our personalities and indeed our very self-worth on our "superior" intellect. Well, here at law school those distinctions melt away. Everyone here has a superior intellect. That's how they got here. So it becomes emotionally draining to some to have to redefine themselves and figure out where they fit in the universe.
I have been considering the larger picture, where I fit in in the world, universe, ect. I credit this, in part, to Jeremy Blachman, 3L at Harvard. If you want to read an incredibly enlightening and extremely entertaining web blog, you should go to his immediately. http://www.jeremyblachman.blogspot.com/ You can see why he is at Harvard and I'm not. Which returns me to my inital observation, mediocrity.
I have been pondering whether getting a law degree in Arkansas is the eqivilant of being the champion of mediocrity. Claiming to be one of the intellectual intelligenca of Arkansas is tantamount to claiming to be the "coldest desert in the world." Its still a desert.
However, I have decided that mediocrity is in the eye of the beholder. That may sound trite but I am beginning to truly believe that you are what you think you are. I am so much more than a law student, and those are the things that define who I am. And as long as I allow myself to define who I am and not my surroundings, then I will be fine.
Reading Jeremy I have realized that if you want anyone to continue to read what you write it must be funny. Here then is my list for the day, sponsored by Stewart Smally. (“I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And gosh darn it, people like me.”)

Top Ten Cool Things About Me

10. I watch Mystery Science Theater 3000 (religously)

9. I won a rubber duckie as a trophy for being a debate coach

8. I have an extensive Laserdisc collection

7. KARAOKE KING

6. I survived Army basic training

5. I once spent a semester living in Greece

4. I am the commissioner of a very successful fantasy sports league

3. My Keen fashion sense

2. I own a set of the Great Books

1. My ability to include searchable words in top ten lists

Thanks for sticking with the post. I promise to be funnier in subsequent posts.