Summer Reading List---2013 Edition

Every year in September I like to write a little bit about the books that I read over the Summer as that is really the only time that I have time to read anything for fun.

This book was about the 2008 Primary Battles and Election. Even though the HBO movie was mostly about Sarah Palin and John McCain, the book actually spends more time around Obama and Clinton. The authors never talked to the individuals themselves, but just kind of pieced everything together from everyone's advisors. I thought it was interesting to say the least. Anyone who believes that Hillary and Obama like each other should read this book. I don't think there is anyway that that is possible. They really put each other through a lot. If you are into politics this book is for you.

I really liked the movie, so I decided to give the book a try. Honestly, I think I liked the movie better. It was a good read, don't get me wrong, but I just really liked the movie. I thought the book did a good job at giving better insights as to why Tiffany acted the way she did. So, in that respect the book was very helpful. Still worth your time though.

I'm a huge Dan Brown fan. I was excited when it was announced that he had a new book coming out. In this one, he really returns to a Da Vinci Code type story involving art and clues. I thought it was good. The ending was a little ridiculous, but it is a novel after all. The thing I like about Dan Brown is that it is always an easy and interesting read. He keeps his chapters relatively short which allows you to pick up this book anytime and read.

I love everything by Ann Coulter. She does a great job at explaining conservative philosophy. She's a pundit and sometimes exaggerates, but she still makes really good points. In this one, she looks at a French Philosopher's take on mobs and how they rule. She bascially calls liberals a bunch of mobsters in the way they pursue their political strategies. She is spot on!

This was one of the more academic books I read this summer. Great take on how feminism is really affecting men as well. Don't get me wrong--I'm all about women's rights. I think it needs to be a movement of equality and not men squashing women. This is a really great take on the impact that it is having on men. I don't want to spoil it, but this book is definitely worth your time!

Man Cave

After living in the same place for two years I decided it was time for a change of scenery. I moved about 15 minutes from school to a really nice one bedroom apartment.

As you enter the door there is a living room.

The living room has a door that opens up to a small balcony.

It has a little dining area plus a kitchen.

 It has a bathroom too.

Look at how well the shower curtain matches the floor.

It also has a bedroom. I have a real bed now with a real mattress which is great.

My bedroom has a walk-in closet as well, which is pretty cool.

So this is my new crib. Pretty nice and practically have the price of my downtown studio.

My Favorite Kind of Kisses

I really like the Candy Cane Hershey Kisses. My parents recently went to Hersheypark---The Sweetest Place on Earth. They got me some of the Candy Cane Kisses and I decided that I needed to find a fun recipe to make something wth them. I found this recipe.

1. Make your dough and chill it for two hours.

2. Roll into one inch balls and roll the balls in powdered sugar.

3. Put them on a cookie sheet evenly spaced out.

4. While they are baking, unwrap some Hershey Kisses

5. As soon as the cookies are done baking, plant a Kiss on them and Enjoy!

I must say that they were pretty good. The combination between the red velvet and peppermint is really good. They complement each other really well. Definitely worth your time!

Let Freedom Ring Again

 

Today the United States of America turns 237. Pretty impressive if you ask me. It is the longest lasting democracy in the World and the model for almost every other free nation in the world. I consider it a blessing to live in the greatest country on the earth. I’m grateful for those men and women in the armed forces that sacrifice their lives to protect our freedoms.

There are also people closer to home though that fight for freedom as well. Since I’ve been in law school I’ve recognized the important roles that lawyers play in society. People are not able to effectively access the system (i.e. their rights without lawyers). One of the most vivid memories I have observing a court proceeding is a child support modification proceeding where the mother was on the opposing side of the attorney I was working for and decided to represent herself. She just thought she could tell a sad story to judge and win. She couldn’t even tell her story because of the rules of evidence. I felt so sad for her because that could have been avoided if she would have just had a lawyer, and the outcome would have been a lot better for her. Point is: Always get a lawyer. They know the rules and are always looking out for their client’s interest.

 

J. Reuben Clark was one such lawyer who stood up for the freedoms that Americans have. One of his first cases was fighting anti-Japanese discrimination in California. He was also influential in formulating America’s foreign policy with Latin America. He also recognized the importance of everyday Americans making sacrifices for their rights and freedoms that they possess as Americans. "A few generations back, your ancestors gave their lives to establish democracy on this continent: your grandfathers fought and died to give the freedom of that democracy to all men, irrespective of race or color;...some of them never returned.  The price of human liberty has always been human suffering and human sacrifice.  You may have to determine how much this freedom which has come to you without price, is worth to you...what price will you pay, whether, if necessary, you also will make the final sacrifice as did your forefathers."

 

 We are in need of these sacrifices more now than ever. As he said in 1942: “You and I have heard all our lives that the time may come when the Constitution may hang by a thread. I do not know whether it is a thread, or a small rope by which it now hangs, but I do know that whether it shall live or die is now in the balance.” Recent news stories show that this is hanging in the balance. Government spying on millions of Americans. The Executive Branch using federal agencies to unfairly scrutinize conservative political groups. Obamacare.

The recent decisions on gay marriage also provide insight into this idea of hanging by a thread. Both of the decisions were decided by a 5 to 4 margin. In both cases there was one freedom fighter in my eyes: Justice Kennedy. I agree with both his majority opinion in the DOMA case and his dissent in the Prop8 case. DOMA, as applied by the Federal Government was clearly unconstitutional. They were discriminating against married couples. Not allowed. Simple as that in my eyes.

 

I find the Prop8 decision more disturbing though. The majority essentially said if a state government decides to not do its job, the people have no authority to hold them accountable. This decision essentially gives the Executive Branch an infinite veto over the will of the people.  This is ironic because the reason California instituted the referendum process is because they wanted to bypass the government all together and pass laws according to the will of the people. Apparently that can only go so far because the Court said the defenders of Prop8 didn’t have standing to bring the suit.

Justice Kennedy’s opinion hits the ball out of the park. It recognizes how California gives its citizens great power through the referendum process. It allows them to govern themselves when the government just isn’t getting it done. As Kennedy points out, the California Supreme Court already authorized the defenders of Prop8 to bring the suit because they recognized the important role that people play in the referendum process in California.

Even more important was Kennedy’s recognition of where all government authority derives from: The People.  It wasn’t the government who formed a more perfect union. It was the People! "In the end, what the Court fails to grasp or accept is the basic premise of the initiative process. And it is this. The essence of democracy is that the right to make law rests in the people and flows to the government, not the other way around. Freedom resides first in the people without need of a grant from government." Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the people should have at least had a chance to defend the proposition that they passed.

In essence, it’s up to us to stand up for our rights. If we don’t who will?  As Jefferson warned towards the end of the revolutionary war about how forgetful we as a nation will become:  “They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. The shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion.”

That's My Name, Don't Wear It Out

My name is spelled differently than most Jeremys alive. I've never actually met another Jeramy, even though I've heard that they actually do exist. Needless to say that since kindergarten, I have been used to people spelling my name wrong. A lot of times people know I spell it differently, but they aren't sure exactly how. For Instance I have a relative who until a couple years ago spelled it Geremy. I've just kind of gotten used to it.

At work, we've decided to embrace my unique spelling. I normally sign e-mails to my boss JerAmy. This week I got a new name plate for the office that I share with my boss.

I still get teased about it though. As part of my Christmas gift, my boss got me a sticker of the letter E because my name was missing one.

 

 

This week I had a misspelling first. I got a certificate for participating in the Dean's Tutorial Society. Needless to say I have never had my named spelled like this before.

 

 



It doesn't really bother me anymore, I just thought this was too funny no to share. If I would get offended by this sort of thing, I would have lead a very bitter life up until this point.

Tastykakes R' Us

It was conference weekend, which normally involves some sort of special food. This time I decided to make something I found on Facebook. I was in luck because Tastykakes have recently arrived to Indiana.

1. Chop up the Tastykakes into quarters. Put all the pieces in the unbaked pie crust.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the butter, sugar, eggs, cornmeal, vinegar, and vanilla until smooth.

3.Pour over the chopped up Tastykakes. Use a rubber spatula to prod the cakes, making sure all of the pieces are coated. Use the spatula to smooth down the top of the pie so that it's an even layer.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until golden brown on top. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

5.  Enjoy. It was really good. Not super sweet, but the flaky crust with the Tastykakes are a great combination. Well worth the time.

Cincinnati in the Spring

This year I really didn't have any exciting Spring Break plans, but still wanted to go somewhere for a day trip. I decided that Cincinnati would be a great place because it's close and they have an IKEA. A friend from law school and I decided to go on Wednesday. We left Indy about 9:30 in the morning and made the two hour trip to IKEA. It was the first time going there. Well, for me it was the first time shopping. I remember as a kid being dropped of at the huge ball pit that the one in White Marsh had, but I never shopped there.

We started by walking through the showroom. It's amazing what they can do with some really small living spaces. I liked at how efficient the whole process was. Walk through, pick out want you want and then pick it up at the end. Overall, it was a successful trip.

I needed a decent chair to sit in that was comfortable, especially for when I entertain people at my apartment. I also wanted a desk so I could sit and do homework. Right now I use my dining table and that gets cluttered with school stuff so I'm not able to dine there. These two fit the bill! I put the desk together myself. It also was a task to fit the chair into my friend's car. We managed though. The plack table in the background is also from IKEA---for $7.99 that was the deal of the day.

I have a dresser for clothes from IKEA, but it isn't large enough to handle all of my clothes storage needs. I wanted to get some sort of organizer to go beside it. This was probably my favorite purchase of the whole trip. It's really neat and useful.

I also got some really inexpensive plates and glasses for the kitchen. I also needed some more storage capabilities for my DVD collection so I could get them out of my closet. They had these neat things for five dollars.

Also in the same hallway is my Ravens Super Bowl poster that I got. All I have to say about the recent personnel decisions is that Flacco better be worth the close to $170,000 that he will receive a day during the football season.

The trip to IKEA was a success---all of that for under $200. After shopping, we headed to Tom +Chee. It's a grlled cheese and soup restaurant. Amazing! I had a grilled cheese with Bacon and BBQ chips. Delicious! The crunchy with the soft cheese. Great combination. My friend had one with Salt and Vinegar chips, with ham and other meats.

The guy working at the cash register was so impressed that we came all the way from Indy to try the restaurant, he gave us samples of all four of the soups they had to dip our sandwiches in. They have regular tomato soup, creamy basil tomato (my favorite), bleu cheese chili and corned beef soup (2nd favorite). They really complemented the sandwhiches well.

Then we had dessert. They had a decent selection of grilled cheese donuts. I had Strawberry Lemonade (Strawberries, Lemon Marscarpone and Mozzerella) and my friend had S'mores (Shaved Chocolate, Marshmallow Marscarpone and Graham Cracker). They were great as well. The glazed donut was warm---crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. The cheese and toppings made for a great combination. This was a great find and definitely worth a trip to Tom +Chee.

After lunch we walked over to the Underground Railroad Museum. It was a neat museum that did a really good job at showing the risks slaves took to be free. It's really a testament as to the value of freedom and what a person will do to reach that. A dark day in US History, but glad their were individuals willing to risk their lives to help the oppressed.

Then we walked around town and then we headed back to Indy. It was  a successful day trip. This city is worth your time if you are in the neighborhood.

Borderline Obsession

So, February 25th is a sacred day. It's the day that the world was graced with the presence of Jimmer Fredette. I am a huge fan to say the least. I've had a birthday celebration for him on multiple occasions. The best one was where he was able to blow out the candles on the cake himself.

 

 

 I've also been touched by the Jimmer. I've even made the pilgrimage to his hometown. Anyway, today I just made cupcakes and wore my Jimmer shirt. My apartment has plenty of remindes of just how important Jimmer is.

 

 

 

 

So, is it an obsession...I like to think of it as dedication. Here's to hoping 2013 is a good one for the Jimmer and that he gets more playing time. Free Jimmer!