I’ve noticed that since starting law school, I’ve laughed significantly less than I used to. I’m sure it’s attributable to many things, namely that the law isn’t inherently funny, and that for some, law school is the most miserable time of their lives, but in any case, I like laughing. And I don’t do enough of it.
Plus, if laughter really is the best medicine, maybe we’d all be a bit less cynical and argumentative if we enjoyed some good, hearty chuckles on a regular basis. But I often wonder if the genuine honesty of laughter and the cynicism of being a law student can be reconciled.
Last semester, amidst the pain and torture of writing my final draft of an appellate brief for LAWR II, I received an e-card from my dear friend, fsford. I was expecting it to be all “keep working hard, the pain is almost over, blah blah blah.” It was not.
When work feels overwhelming, remember that you’re going to die.
Well. How’s that for optimism? I loved it. I laughed so hard I could barely contain myself [in class, of course].
Curious about the source of such tongue-in-cheek humor, I clicked on the homepage, and discovered a zillion more e-cards, with similar but varying degrees of cynical humor. “I need a time billing code for not doing s***.” “I couldn’t get through Mondays without knowing you’re equally miserable.” “My true love is out there and they can go f*** themselves.” “You’re going to be a great MILF.” “If I ever were to shoot you, it would just be in the leg.”
At this point, I was noticeably giggling. In the middle of class. So I trolled the site and sent an e-card to almost everyone I knew. My parents received “I really doubt you’d understand my homework” and “Thanks for always thinking about me to the detriment of your own mental health.” My college friends got “Anytime you want to talk, feel free to leave me a voicemail message.” My friends with ridiculous love life woes received “I’m falling in love with you and would like to go on a second date.” You get the idea.
If I were to make a website that embodied my personality, it would be this one. Every thought I’ve ever had but either had to refrain from verbalizing or could only repeat to my closest friends (as to avoid judgment) is perfectly laid out via e-card, available for communication with the click of a button. Incredible.
(Alright, not every thought. Some of the e-cards are a bit inappropriate for my proper Iowa girl upbringing. But I bet someone out there feels comfortable enough with someone in his or her life to send a note to say “you never pee on me anymore.”)
I have someecards.com in my toolbar and I check it every day. And I laugh. Out loud. Every day. So if you need some tongue-in-cheek, pick-you-up-from-finals-depression humor, try this on for size. You might find yourself laughing a lot more than usual … maybe eventually sending “I only communicate via someecards.com” to someone.
“Remember that Cinco de Mayo is an important celebration for Mexicans everywhere except almost all of Mexico.”
Steve Wieland
fsford
timhilton
smahieu
Morgan N. Engling
maryiowa
jaimiesuzi
jarens
kevinjames
brieanne
lcm
Andrew
sandista
enwinfield
I still think my favorite is “My social skills are eerily similar to those of notorious homicidal maniacs.”
Because it’s true.
To me laughter especially important when you are studying for finals. That’s why I try to include lame jokes in my class notes when I think of them. Little tidbits to stumble across while I’m experiencing the agonizing pain of outlining. I highly recommend it. As an example, here is a line I had in my Family Law notes from a case in which a married woman was knocked up—the technical term for impregnated, as used by the Uniform Law Commission—by her paramour: “mom almost files stipulation w/ bio dad, but pulls out at the last minute (unlike him apparently—zing!)”
I like to do that too, Georgia. I once came across the phrase “and boom goes the dynamite” after the summary of a rather decisive holding.
I like to leave myself little notes like “you weren’t paying attention, your notes might not be accurate,” or “on IM, missed the third point, make sure to get that.” My notes also serve as a very efficient way of documenting those precious “overheard in BLB” lines, such as when Prof Hines used the phrase “babby-daddy” or when Prof Baldus informed us that he tells his girls “never let a guy buy you dinner–you don’t need contract law to understand ‘consideration’. ”
On a wholly unrelated note, anyone who reads this comment will learn that I just bought enough Cadbury chocolate, Dark Chocolate Digestives and Haribo gummies to fill a suitcase. I will be bringing aforementioned goodness to the library and BLB at random times this week to ease the pain of finals. xx
Emily, we’ve never met, but I like your style. I will be in the 4th floor lounge all week, cramming for my 3 exams. I hope to see you, meet you, and eat your candy. While you were away, Chex Mix came out with this fabulous “chocolate and peanut butter” mix that has been my lunch for 3 days running now - I will introduce you to that as well.
LCM, I can guarantee that I will personally deliver sugar coated goodness from England. If the “chocolate and peanut butter” mix is anywhere as good as the “turtle” chex mix then I would kindly request that you not introduce me as my elastic waistband pants can only stretch SOOO far and sister, I’m already maxin’ out their lycra
I will single handedly make finals a happier time for firstflooriowa.com bloggers
Or at least keep your dentists employed a wee bit longer …
My personal favorite: “If I ever run for President, my association with you is going to haunt me.”
Winfield. See you on the fourth floor.
Morgan: Tried like hell to find the puffy strawberries but failed–i’ve got gummie strawberries, though, just for you.