Day 59: Classes & Prop. 8

It's back to the normal routine of a typical class day.  All went went well today; we're behind schedule in all three classes but that's to be expected when you try to cram a semester into 23 days.  The morning was spent discussing Malaria and our little blood sucking friends in Infectious Diseases, sitting through an extremely exciting talk about Colonial North Africa in Global Studies, and listening to a wonderfully uplifting lecture on suicide in Abnormal Psych.  The afternoon was spent working on papers with Mindy and a visit to the gym.  Once all this reflective essay nonsense is finished it'll be time to start thinking about finals.

This evening Daniel and I attended a very interesting lecture/discussion about CA's Prop. 8.  It was lead by our Executive Dean who is a law professor and great source because he's actually read all the opinions and whatnot that have come out.  I really enjoyed his presentation because it's the first time I've had the chance to hear the saga from a completely legal (NOT political) perspective.  The entire process is hideously complicated; I'm glad I have a decent Civics/Poli Sci background or there would be absolutely no chance of following.  He went through the recent decision by a federal judge and the timing couldn't have been better as we got word that it was stayed until next week during the talk.  I don't want to get too into it, but it's fascinating from a legal perspective and interesting how significantly different this is from the arguments we often hear.  The guess among legal academics is that the 9th Circuit will probably affirm the constitutionality of same sex marriage (the most recent opinion) and it will eventually make its way to the US Supreme Court.  So, we're looking at 4-5 years.  Of course, this being our wonderful legal system, there's about 100 other little exceptions or techniques that makes essentially anything possible.  What I found even more interesting was how many of the people present (half students, half professors) were not from CA (including the dean) but had very thorough knowledge of the situation.  I guess this is one of the more heated and significant legal battles brewing now so most of the country is watching.

Other than that excitement, the evening is going well as I organize my laundry and try to find something to do.  We have a lovely 25 hour day today so the extra rest will be nice.  That's all for now, I'm off in a bit to watch a meteor shower; it's clear outside and with all the ships lights turned off is supposed to be pretty awesome.