So, I finally had some extra time this weekend, since I had both Friday and Monday off. It allowed me to review the first couple weeks of class, and chill out a bit too...

Criminal law is becoming very interesting. I've always been interested in constitutional issues, and we're beginning to touch on them in the concepts of "void for vagueness", ex post facto law, and fair notice. These are the concepts that law must be specific enough to give people fair notice that their conduct may constitute a crime, and thus that a legislature (and a court through its legal interpretation) may not broaden a law retroactively, effectively criminalizing something that was not a crime at the cime it was committed.

We've also been reading quite a bit about the theory behind punishment, viewing it through utilitarianism and retributivism, a couple of moral theories that try to justify and un-justify punishment in different circumstances.

Civil procedure is interesting so far mostly in its potential for practical application and practical legal strategy, but I'm not sure there are a whole lot of interesting theoretical or ethical issues there yet...

I have been spending quite a bit of time setting up my 'replacement' computer again, since my previous laptop was stolen. It's a bummer, but I feel whole again now that it's been replaced. We still have to deal with the insurance company though...

I have secured a great job for the summer as a summer associate at a large firm in D.C., which I'm ecstatic about. I will have to try to learn something about patent law before starting there, or I'll be very lost... ;) I actually can't wait to start applying some of the things I've learned though. It will be extremely satisfying to actually have some responsibility to produce thoughtful analysis of legal issues... I'm feeling more and more that this will be a great type of work for me, and that I'll really enjoy it.

A friend recently pointed out a great site to me -- www.6ga.net... It allows you to record Japanese television shows and download them over the web to view on your machine. I may get this service at some point, if I have the cash... ;)