Hello. Welcome to my website. It started while I was in Europe for a semester, and I've kept it up since then. I'm now at the University of Chicago Law School, living in Hyde Park, and the story continues. If you want to say hi or visit me, email cfloyd at uchicago dot edu.
"Life is nothing if not the sum of your anecdotes." -Scotty The Body, on storytelling "But it ain't that bad, man. Just figure out the system before the system figures out you." -T. Matthew Smith, on the 1L year "The beer just doesn't taste as good when you're not drinking it with your buddies." -Anon., on being away from good friends "Somebody has to pay the rent around here. Why the hell not us?" -Cotton, on studying for exams
9/09/2004
The receptions are the real icing on the cake. See, these firms send people to interview us, but some of them also want to entertain us. So they rent rooms at restaraunts or bars, serve cocktails and hors d'oevres, and socialize. Sometimes with us. Much of the conversation is terrible, forced chitchat about the firm or Chicago or the weather or whatever. That's why it's nice that they have cocktails. It's really just like rush. Both lawyers and law students stand around, eat and drink, and wait for the event to be over so they can talk about their assessments with each other.
There are little things I've learned about these parties, though. For one, order an odorless cocktail. Specifically, not a Jack and coke. Jack and coke is a smelly drink and makes you seem to be there for the party. So get a vodka tonic or white wine. You have to note the dress code from the invitation. Casual, Business Casual, or Business. Business is suit and tie, Business Casual is slacks and a shirt, but I'm not sure what Casual is that's different from Business Casual. Maybe khakis and a polo?
Also, rather than elbow into a circle to try to talk to a guy who looks old enough to be a partner, I prefer to stand on the edge, alone if necessary, and evaluate things from afar. Then, if a lawyer or somebody is actually looking for someone to talk to, he or she can come talk to me. Also, I get to be Disintersted Wry Observation Guy- you know, stand back, remark about the silliness or it all, or just pretend to hate being there. ZDonohew is a master of this.
Well I'm off to one right now. I'll be the guy in gray slacks and a blue button-down on the edge with a vodka tonic. Come make ironic comments with me.
