Sagacious Student

Car Mania

sagaciousstudent — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:03:58 +0000

I am going insane. I need help. Not the professional kind, although if I could hire someone to just take care of this for me I would.

I am in the market for a new (used) car. Originally, I was basing my choice based completely on looks. I was drawn to cars like the Toyota Matrix, and the Honda Fit. I liked the idea of a hatchback, because I’m assuming this car will last until I have a pie shop and I will need the trunk space to stack up all the pies I’ll be toting all over the place. Scoff, mock, chuckle if you will, but that is where my head was originally.

Then someone pointed out that perhaps miles per gallon should be taken into account.

Restart.

Then I stumbled upon the Honda Civic Hybrid. Touted to have a whopping average 37 mpg, I thought that might be a good way to go. I spent an entire morning at the library looking through volumes of consumer reports and browsing through online forums that discussed pros and cons from the perspective of people who already own the car. Needless to say, I almost immediately became overwhelmed. I am somewhat familiar with the hybrid technology available in toyota’s prius, as my father owns one. The honda civic hybrid is set up a little differently though, with a integrated motor assist or IMA. Apparently, there are some forums out there that are a little dismayed with the quality of the IMA. Some owners have had a problem where after 12,000 miles, the battery either needs to be replaced or the IMA software needs an update. After either of those things happen, the IMA then prevents the car from using the battery as much as it started out, so the gas mileage decreases significantly.

Does any of that make sense?

Basically, I have some reservations about the civic hybrid’s battery power. I’m not sure if those forum’s only represent a small portion of the total, or if this is a widespread thing.

Now I am sort of in the world of hybrids, but I don’t think I can actually afford a hybrid.

Yeesh. There are too many kinds of cars, and after test driving some of this stuff, I wanted to just scream. I’m also not the biggest fan of car dealerships…no offense. The whole process is just completely draining.

Somebody just tell me what to buy!!! End the madness!!

Driven to Distraction

sagaciousstudent — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:16:03 +0000

Have you ever heard that phrase? Well if you haven’t, today’s your lucky day. You get a new idiom to insert into your vocabulary! Be sure to use it multiple times this weekend. Basically, it means something causes you to be unable to think or work. Another interesting definition I found was “to make someone very angry or very bored.” I like that it can mean two different emotions that are almost polar opposites. I am using the phrase in sort of a combination. Here’s the conundrum, my work is causing me to be unable to think, and is making me very angry and bored. Think it over, but not too hard. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t make any sense. Don’t worry, I’m used to it, and you don’t need to call me a doctor. I’m ok…I think.

Anyway, in pursuit of utilizing my state of distraction, I thought I’d do a sequel to a post I did a long time ago. It was fun, and I really enjoyed making it, so why not do it again?!

The following is a list of some songs that I have been rocking out to lately. I’ll explain more as we go along. Let’s start things slow:

This just makes me happy. It’s also incredibly apropos for the impending new year. So happy I stumbled across this one. Sometimes I like to vicariously live through Zooey Deschanel, especially when she does fun things like that. I wish I could pull off her bangs.

When listening to the above, try not to watch the video. It’s super weird. I don’t get it. So close your eyes, and get lost in the song. I’m not ashamed to admit I first heard this song on the show “Glee.” I do wish I had heard it before that though. That song strikes a chord in me…the drum beats pump me up!!

Makes me want to put on a hoodie and sunglasses for some reason. Oh yeah, it’s because I’m amazing

WARNING: Do not watch the following video if you don’t want to see a bunch of guys in speedos. You’ve been warned.

I can’t help it, that song makes me laugh and want to dance. Especially the “wiggle” part. Although, admittedly, I hadn’t seen that video until just a moment ago. I’m now not quite as fond of that part.

This song makes me melt. I don’t know if the premise behind it is true, but I really hope it is. Also, that video is awesome. I wonder how long it took them to film that.

I am in love with the Avett Brothers. This band speaks to my soul. Okay, that might be a little too heavy, but still. I’m pretty sure I could be locked in a room just listening to them all day and be perfectly content. Please do not lock me in a room though. Makes me feel claustrophobic just thinking about it.

I like this song, but this video is hilarious. Oh Scrubs, you were great. The lead singer seems a little crazy. And I like it.

Okay, I know the above seems a little morbid, but I just love that song. I’m not much for country in general, and after attempting to listen to some other songs by this band decided that for me, they are a one hit wonder. There’s just something about it that speaks to me. It’s kind of got the “O Brother Where Art Thou” quality to it. If you’re not familiar with that movie, you need to rent it ASAP.

That should do it for now. My distraction is waning, and my anxiety over things unfinished is increasing. Job well done!

Have a happy New Year’s Eve everyone!

Bar Prep Take 2

sagaciousstudent — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:53:13 +0000

I know you all will be as thrilled as I am to know that I will be studying for the Bar Exam again! In the summer of 2010 I embarked on my first studying marathon for the Colorado Bar. I was an emotional wreck pretty much the whole summer and barely posted on this thing, and if I did it was only to refer to the nightmares that I was having, all centered around the bar exam prep questions that were plaguing me at the time. Either that, or they were short statements of how much cognitive agony I was in.

After all that, I passed the Colorado Bar. I was just as amazed as you were, I’m sure.

In a twist of fate, and what I’m sure is a twisted sense of humor on the part of whatever higher power looks down on us, I am taking another Bar Exam. The Kansas Bar Exam to be exact. There are many and varied reasons for my choice to take this exam, but those are irrelevant at the moment. The point is that I am taking it, and it is at the end of February. I started studying today.

So basically, this is my preemptory apology to those of you that I will disappear from over the next couple of months. It’s not personal. This is also an apology to those who actually care about what I write on here. This post could very well be the last one for a while that makes any sort of sense, as soon I will once again be devoting nearly every waking hour to studying the ins and outs of the law. Such a task drives even the most balanced of us off our rockers.

Have no fear though. This too shall pass. By the time I am finished, the winter will be subsiding (hopefully), and we will be well on our way to much more daylight. Just think of me as a hibernating bear. For most of the winter, I will be holed up in my cave, and I hate to admit I will probably bite your head off if you disturb me. I don’t know if bears cry, but I will probably also be doing that quite a bit.

All I ask is that you send good vibes my way. Should you happen to think of me, couple it with a thought of “She WILL pass the Kansas Bar!” I’m pretty sure I’ll feel that, and that it really will help me pass. A foundation of support is essential in this endeavor, and I am blessed to have so many great cheerleaders in my life.

So apologies, and thank you’s in advance. I’ll see you in March.