Life Is Strange

I'm not a big fan of John Lennon, but he did make at least one insightful observation: "life is what happens when you're making other plans."

For one, I thought that embarking on my next book would sap my energy, but it's made me want to write even more.

I never wanted to practice law. Instead, I went to law school as an intellectual exercise and to postpone adulthood for a while longer, and I was miserable for several years after graduating. These days I must admit that I enjoy several aspects of my work. I'm a natural at arguing; the moment I start reading a new complaint or a motion, my mind latches onto weaknesses and inconsistencies, and I almost can't take notes fast enough to keep track of everything that's wrong with what I'm looking at. At hearings, I'm ready to leap out of my chair every few seconds to explain everything that's wrong with what the opposing counsel is saying, and it's torture to bite my tongue until the fool is finished. I have reached the point where I can smell contradictions in narratives, and I love hitting witnesses with them.

My personal evolution is the reverse of everyone else's. When I was young I took everything seriously and was very cautious; now, as I approach 40 and see my contemporaries getting all serious about their lives, I find myself thinking that maybe I should sell my belongings, shave my head, hop onto a motorcycle, and travel the countryside as an itinerant philosopher while civilization burns down around my ears.

I always needed solitude and hated being around other people. While I'm still an introvert for certain, people entertain me more than they ever did before, and I enjoy learning their unique life stories.

I used to always wonder whether I was right. Now, despite all my experiences that should sow doubt, I know that I am.

Spanish is a language I studied simply because I enjoy it, but now I find that it's very practical to know.

I was born and raised in South Florida; I love the ocean and beach volleyball; now I live in Montana -- and I love it here.