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Looks like two more will be taken down soon. Too bad, I kind of liked them.

Reason takes a look at the 9/12 march…

Tonight, I took a brief break from studying to make a trip to the local 7/11 on Huntington Avenue. As regular followers of this blog (at least since 2007) will recall, I have a love/hate relationship with 7/11.

Let’s just say that I didn’t feel all too safe walking to the 7/11 near Braddock Road metro in the middle of night to get beer. Then again, it’s not as if I was entertaining. My old digs on Buchanan hardly could  host one additional person to watch television, much less have a dinner party. Things have changed, I know have a lot more space in my place with room mate/sister Betsy.

Some things don’t change, and there’s a 7/11 within walking distance.  To clarify, I love 7/11, and I hate some aspects of shopping there, namely my fellow customers. I’ve seen some depressing folks walk through those magical never-locked doors. I get why they call it 7/11, as those used to be the hours they were open, but I don’t ever think I’ve seen one that’s closed for the night.

Anyways, I digress. But, to my amazement, I spent $39 today at my local 7/11. How did I achieve this feat, you ask? They had a copy of one of the digitally remastered Beatles CDs that Best Buy didn’t have. I know! How strange, but I love Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and it would be a great study aid distraction for tomorrow. I also replenished my White Castle strategic reserve, which was costly, but worth it.

Walking back, smelling the scant, stale scent of urine in the air, I thought about how I can pretty much draw you a map of nearly every 7/11 between Alexandria and Ballston, much like Al Franken can draw a map of the continental United States. I know each of their slurpee flavors, and which ones tend to make the best hot food. Anyone who’s ever experienced the disappointment of biting into a cold taquito knows what I mean.

I am sure some rich baron owns a couple of these 7/11 franchises, though I can’t be sure. The owner’s name is usually on the outside, and I thought I’d notice if the same name kept popping up. In my mental google map of 7/11s, I know which ones to avoid, and which ones I enjoy patronizing, depending on what I need — be it beer, food, or other supplies. And, in this relatively free market economy, I sleep soundly at night with the hope that my lack of business at some locations will prompt them to offer better products (i.e. thoroughly cooked food) — or for them to just focus on their comparative advantages over other 7/11s.

Well, back to studying. I took an hour and a half away to play 9 holes at Greendale Golf course, and it’s been my worst performance this year. Studying’s been good though. If you’re in D.C., we’ll be celebrating my LSAT completion Saturday night. Drop me a line.

“If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”-Abraham Maslow

It’s been awhile since I wrote a “weekly column” and what better topic than my impending date with the Law School Admissions Test? And while I don’t have a hammer, I have a bunch of Ticonderoga #2 HB pencils. I wanted to bring a laddie pencil, but I ultimately decided that they are too big and would be hard to sharpen.

There are many schools of thought on how to prepare for the LSAT. My friend Tom holed himself up after work and studied like woah, taking nearly every available test from some date int he 1970′s to present. He did exceedingly well.

When my Dad took the test around 1977, apparently he didn’t study that much, or at least that’s what he tells me. He went to a good law school, and is a lawyer, so that method worked for him.

I’m taking a middle route, three consecutive days of non-stop studying. Of course, I’ll build in a little free time to ensure I don’t go insane, but not too much. We all know how addictive video games or golf can be — and I just purchased HALO 3 ODST, because I am a huge nerd like that. Though, that game will be locked up until Saturday night, when it’s all over.

Here’s what the LSAT is, according to Wika-Wakka.

• Logical reasoning
• Reading comprehension
• Analytical reasoning
• Unscored section
• Writing sample

Essentially, I’m pretty good at reading comprehension, decent at analytical reasoning, and mediocre at logic games. Those are a trip. I’m spending some time to ensure I do well in that section, but truth be told, it’s only one segment of the test. Though, they’re all important.

I went to CostCo last night and bought a case of Red Bull and canned chicken. I can be holed up for 36 consecutive hours, if I want to.

Oh, I forgot to mention the hilarious instructions the LSAC sent me last week. Enjoy these, it’s like the LSAT is a freaking flight to Philly.

You are allowed to bring into the test center only a clear plastic zip lock bag (maximum size one gallon/3.79 liter) containing ONLY the following items: LSAT Admission Ticket stub, valid ID, wallet, keys, hygiene/medical products, #2 or HB pencils, (NO mechanical pencils), erasers, pencil sharpener, highlighter, tissues, beverage in a plastic container or juice box (20 oz./591 ml. maximum size), and a snack (for break only).

Yeah, that’s great. I bought a box of mechanical pencils last month for explicit use on this test. I figured I wouldn’t have to sharpen them. I’m glad people can bring tissues to cry in, because I expect that will probably occur. I’ll update you on the test here some time on Sunday.

I had a google chat conversation with my friend Chris about what can/cannot be brought in to the test, and I must admit that I do like his suggestion.

me: I have a ton of red bull
Chris: you should pound them during the test
your written portion will all be scribbly
me: hahaha
we can only bring in one 20 oz drink
Chris: weak
bring potato chips
or other crunchy items
rice cakes
crunchcrunchcrunch
“lawyers have to handle stress and if you can’t handle me eating potato chips then gtfo”

Thanks to all of my friends who donated books and materials in my quest. I’ll let you know how it went, and we’ll have a party at my place on Saturday night.

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Enjoy. Your Friday afternoon is gone.

The Bomble Burger. Let’s just say it’s unique.

She loves karaoke. How sweet.