A decision has been made: after graduation, I will pursue a PhD in philosophy. Now, let's see if I can explain... because I really do have a lot of explaining to do. Like, why I didn't just do this in the first place, why I'm doing it now, and why I'm doing it at all... d^_^b

Well. Here goes. Have patience; the law school stuff comes near the end.

So, I've been meaning to post an update on my law school comings-and-goings, but I've been waiting to hear back on a couple of things. Now that we're about halfway through my second 2L semester, I guess it's about time I said something! Because while I am (unfortunately) still looking for a summer job (everyone cross your fingers on that count), I have actually managed to accomplish some exciting things this semester.

I have an acquaintance at Yale's "prestigious" law school. Now, I did not apply at Yale (or any law school east of the Rockies, actually) and I don't know much about it except that it is one of the "big three"--law schools that will cost you a large fortune to attend but permit you, ostensibly, to write your future. Supposedly this is because they admit only the brightest (read: best-coached) students. They also do not grade you--if you're admitted and you can pay your bills, you get a degree and, likely, whatever job you want.

I'm over a week into my second semester as a 2L, but entries have been short because I'm in a bit of a holding-pattern. I apologize for my failure to provide everyone with regular updates, but that's law school for you. Who'd have thought there could be anything in this world more important than blogging?

One final down--First Amendment Law. Two (plus a paper) to go.

But while I have your attention (and I'm taking a break from studying): I had an interesting experience during my Copyright, Trademark, and Trade Secrets class last week that crystallized some thoughts about being wrong. Specifically, about being wrong in a room full of the smartest people I've ever met.

Classes are wrapping up--just three more days! Then finals begin, and after two weeks of that, I'll be halfway through law school. I'm actually approaching full-blown panic with regard to Business Associations, but the rest of my classes are shaping up nicely. (Hah! Ask me again after grades come out, right?)

But this entry is not about that. This is about a conversation I had with my wife yesterday, and an accompanying realization.

Huge announcement time! My wife Aprilynne just sold World English rights to a four-book Young Adult series to Tara Weikum at Harper Children's, in a significant deal, in a pre-empt, through her agent Jodi Reamer at Writers House. Her book will hit the bookstores (in hardcover!) in the summer of 2009.

So, I'm on a big Rudyard-Kipling-quoting kick this week. I mostly blame Eugene Volokh, the author of my First Amendment casebook. It's a fantastic casebook, and he liberally employs some great epigraphies--including words from the poems of Rudyard Kipling, which happily rest in the public domain.

First, I would like to say that as a speaker, Chief Justice John Roberts is more charismatic and entertaining than a long-time federal judge has any right to be. Second, I got to ask my first question, and the answer was quite revelatory, even if it did make me wish I had chosen to ask the other one. The following are my impressions, fresh from a cozy Q&A with THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

If you could ask U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts one question, what would it be? I have at least two questions in mind, and as one of 235 law students blessed to participate in a Q&A session with the (relatively) new Chief Justice next week, I might even get a chance to ask one of them. I thought I'd share them with you in hopes of generating some discussion (and maybe helping me decide on a particular question). Here they are--in no particular order: