Adventures of Benihana!

More Law Stuff

2010-12-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

Hey friends!

Almost two weeks ago was "Results Friday" when the fate of thousands of California Bar takers was announced. To my surprise and relief I found out I passed - 1st try! Thank heavens! The Cal Bar website also posted the overall bar results which I thought was interesting.

I also found out that I got accepted for one of the six spots for the Spring Federal Tax Clinic at USD. I was informed that I'll be required to work about 16 hours per week while taking my tax policy and tax litigation courses. The program will be a great opportunity to work with clients one on one.

An Actual Lawsuit Against Satan and His Staff

2010-09-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

United States District Court, W. D. Pennsylvania.
UNITED STATES ex rel. Gerald MAYO
v.
SATAN AND HIS STAFF.

Misc. No. 5357.

Dec. 3, 1971.

*282 Gerald Mayo, pro se.

MEMORANDUM ORDER

WEBER, District Judge.

Plaintiff, alleging jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 241, 28 U.S.C. § 1343, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 prays for leave to file a complaint for violation of his civil rights *283 in forma pauperis. He alleges that Satan has on numerous occasions caused plaintiff misery and unwarranted threats, against the will of plaintiff, that Satan has placed deliberate obstacles in his path and has caused plaintiff's downfall.

Plaintiff alleges that by reason of these acts Satan has deprived him of his constitutional rights.

We feel that the application to file and proceed in forma pauperis must be denied. Even if plaintiff's complaint reveals a prima facie recital of the infringement of the civil rights of a citizen of the United States, the Court has serious doubts that the complaint reveals a cause of action upon which relief can be granted by the court. We question whether plaintiff may obtain personal jurisdiction over the defendant in this judicial district. The complaint contains no allegation of residence in this district. While the official reports disclose no case where this defendant has appeared as defendant there is an unofficial account of a trial in New Hampshire where this defendant filed an action of mortgage foreclosure as plaintiff. The defendant in that action was represented by the preeminent advocate of that day, and raised the defense that the plaintiff was a foreign prince with no standing to sue in an American Court. This defense was overcome by overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Whether or not this would raise an estoppel in the present case we are unable to determine at this time.

If such action were to be allowed we would also face the question of whether it may be maintained as a class action. It appears to meet the requirements of Fed.R. of Civ.P. 23 that the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable, there are questions of law and fact common to the class, and the claims of the representative party is typical of the claims of the class. We cannot now determine if the representative party will fairly protect the interests of the class.

We note that the plaintiff has failed to include with his complaint the required form of instructions for the United States Marshal for directions as to service of process.

For the foregoing reasons we must exercise our discretion to refuse the prayer of plaintiff to proceed in forma pauperis.

It is ordered that the complaint be given a miscellaneous docket number and leave to proceed in forma pauperis be denied.

W.D.Pa., 1971
UNITED STATES v. SATAN AND HIS STAFF
54 F.R.D. 282

END OF DOCUMENT

Night Sesh Saves Local Derelict

2010-09-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about life changes, but they are hard for me. It doesn't matter what it is, school, relationships, new town, new job, it always takes a while for me to feel like i fit in. In the past surfing has been a good bridge for those gaps. So yesterday I decided to pack my surfboard to my institute class in San Marcos, just in case I felt like doing some night surfing afterward. I kind of got nostalgic driving to Palomar College, my first semester after my mission I would drive to Palomar with Randy and Wendy and we'd all taken institute classes there. This time it was just me and my surfboard.

Sister Morgan's lesson was brilliant. It was about the gift of revelation and ways we can qualify it and ways we receive it. 8:30 came around, class got out and I had no where to go but home or to O'side Pier for some night surfing. What a night of surfing it was! Paddling out it didn't seem that amazing. No one was out, except a few fishers on the pier. After a few minuets a set came in. My eyes hadn't really adjusted yet, so I just turn around and guessed I was in the right spot. Fortunately it one of those waves that looks like it's going to break, but gives you a few extra seconds. I dropped into a 4 footer and rode all the way into the beach. The whole night the waves were like that, breaking about halfway out to the pier bait shop, perfect rights with peaky A frame take-offs. The inside section got really hollow and you had to pump down the line to stay in the curl. The waves let you surf them both fast and smooth - I felt like Rob Machado surfing Trestles all alone. It was incredible.

I surfed till about 11. There was red tide, so the waves were breaking blue, which is always pretty cool to see. It was a beautiful night. I don't know why surfing is so therapeutic, but I just feel really great right now, in spite of everything else. Maybe sometimes being alone and being content is what we need to be healthy enough to move on. If you have a psychological explanation, let me know.

Also, I found this article on night surfing in the LA Times. Pretty interesting.

A Year Goes By: Back in Cali!

2010-09-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

It has almost been a year since I made an entry on my blog. The last year has been a whirl wind. In January 2010 I graduated from law school in Boston and returned back to California. Just weeks after I left Boston I started tax courses in my LL.M. at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, commuting to the city from Sacramento 3 times a week.

After a successful semester at GGU, I locked myself down in Sacramento for the Summer to study for the Bar Exam. At first I didn't think the studying was too bad. But by the end of the summer I just wanted to be a normal person again. While studying I also applied to transfer to University of San Diego. Their LL.M. is one of the best tax programs in the country and the commute from Escondido was so much easier. (I would have applied to USD in the first place, but I didn't get my letters of recommendation until after USD's deadline). A few weeks later I got my acceptance letter and was immediately so stoked. It was like I had been lost and had found the pathway again.

So now I've been going to USD for about 3 weeks and I love it. The campus is beautiful, the classes are at daytime hours (at GGU they were all night classes), and their career services programs have been fantastic. Already this semester I've interviewed with AYCO (a Goldman Sachs Co.), the Chief Counsel for the IRS, and the Army Jags. My classes this semester are partnership taxation, taxation of property transactions, Tax research and communication and federal tax procedures. Fun stuff!

Various Degrees of Honor

2009-10-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

The Fall '09 semester, my last semester of my law degree, is well under way. Yet I feel it is a good time to reflect on some of the recent events in the last few months of my life. Reading my last blog entry, I am reminded of the struggle of getting summer started. I guess this summer was one of uncertainty and doubt. I searched for many weeks to find a paid part-time job. Finally had to settle for a paper route, delivering the Boston globe, NY Times, Wall Street Journal at 3am 7 days a week. I never thought I'd be delivering papers at this point of my life, but it was what I had to do.

The summer definitely included some fun stuff too. My internship kept me engaged and doing lots of tours of recycle centers and water treatment plants, ect. My friends kept me busy with trips to Walden Pond, 6-flags, free concerts at the hatchshell and Shakespear at Boston Commons. Through the summer, however, I kept thinking of my fall classes, my plans after law school and wondering how I could get experience in Estate planning/Elder law, if it was really what I wanted to get into.

With School starting again, I got some great news. I recieved the CALI Award (Highest grade in a specific course) for the Tax Clinic and a $3000 grant from the school. I also got all the classes I hoped to get, including Elder Law, Accounting for Lawyers, Tax Reform and Bar Prep. Things were going better.

With classes starting, I started thinking seriously about applying for an LL.M. in Taxation. I talked to a number of attorneys in the past who've said that the program is very beneficial for what I want to do. My friend Candice suggested that I email some Estate Planning attorney's we'd met last semester at a career fair. One of the attorneys I emailed, David Correira, one of the leading Estate planning/Elder Law attorneys in the North East, emailed me back and arranged to meet me. We talked about what I wanted to learn and he offered me a chance this semester to work in his office. Check out this Link: Correira & Iacono David already has me busy reading articles about Trusts, attending NAELA seminars, sitting in on estate planning meetings with wealthy clients and attending social events. I'm very excited about working with his firm this semester!

Having a paper route taught me a lot about life and having a good sense of humor. I also learned not to mess with raccoons when they jump out of a trash can and growl at you. Just get in your car, drive as close to the door as possible, throw the paper and run for it!

Lets get rolling already!

2009-06-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

It's summer again in Boston, although you wouldn't know it will all the rain. After a week of lousy weather I was understandably bummed to see more rain in the forecast for the next week. Come on Summer, where you at?

I've been out of school a little over a month now. I closed out the semester with one of my best GPA's in law school so far:

Remedies: C (because technicality that my teacher wouldn't excuse)
Wills, Estates & Trust II - B+
Federal Income Tax - B+
First Amendment Law B+
Tax Clinic - A

Anyways, I was thrilled to get my grades, particularly as I look forward to apply to tax LLM programs this fall.

After I finished finals, I spent two weeks home in San Diego. My sister and I helped my mom buy a new car with her tax return money. We got her a 03 Pontiac Vibe, one previous owner 20,000 mi. It's a beautiful car and it's in mint condition. I also got to see my neices Gwen and Cora which was really fun. (I'll post some pictures of them soon).

Back in Boston I've been trying to get summer work. This week I started a summer internship program at Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in Wilmington, MA. Unfortunately, the position is unpaid so I'm looking for other part-time work and it's proving more difficult that I thought. Whatever the reason, I'm plugging away, trying to make due and stay optimistic. Overall, I realize I've received a lot of blessings this year and am really grateful. I have great friends and family and have had lots of great opportunities. Good things are in the future!

Movies I Watched While in San Diego

2009-05-26T10:31:00.001-07:00

Mary Poppins
Bedtime Stories
The Hallelujah Trail
The Fiddler on the Roof
Star Trek (2009)
Dvorak in Prague
The Glenn Miller Story
The Importance of Being Earnest

Patriots Day Weekend

2009-04-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

This weekend was one of patriotism and historical reenactments in Massachusetts. On Saturday, I went with my San Diego friends, Ian and Whitney Dawson to Minuteman National Park between Lexington and Concord for the a reenactment at Battle Road and on Monday morning I went with some friends to the Lexington battle reenactment. On April 19, 1775 British troops departed from Boston to seize arms and munitions in Concord. Local minutemen and militias battled the troops in Lexington, Concord and all along Massachusetts avenue back to Boston. The reenactments definitely stirred feelings of patriotism and veneration for our country's rich history. Unfortunately I didn't take many still photos, but I got about an hour of video! So if anyone's interested in seeing that let me know!

British Camp at Minutemen National Park, Concord

Ian and I with a British Officer in Concord

Lexington with friends at 6:00am, Patriots Day

Everyone was taking turns getting "jumping pictures" in front of this flag.

It was my turn. Here's my take-off

I went for a superman shot.

Paying tribute to the honorable dead.

Jared popping a heel-clicker.

Fun Stuff - Spring 2009

2009-04-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

The Spring 2009 semester is almost over so I thought I'd recap some the highlight of the year so far:

Got to argue a drug possession case at the Suffolk County Court of Appeals at the John Adams Court House in Boston.

Interned at the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board with Commissioner Sharaffa

Kicked it at George Washington's house for spring break

Wandered around D.C. aimlessly in the middle of the night

Did a 3 hour driving tour of Gettysburg battlefields. Here's my roommate Jared at the top of "Little Round Top."

Almost fell in the Shenandoah River

Toured the historic town Harpers Ferry

Crazy Life

2009-03-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything here lately because I'm loosing my mind. I've been trying to get a huge paper done for my tax clinic the last month and its been slow and arduous. I was also asked argue for the DA a case on appeal that I wrote a brief for last semester. The oral argument is April 2. Fortunately, the moot hearing went really well this morning and I'm almost done with my paper, so end in sight! Then I got to start study for finals again!

How To Deal With Winter in the North East

2009-01-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

In Boston, winter is a disappointing and substantial portion of the year. I'm the last person to offer any advise on how to enjoy the season. As the snow piles on my car and the streets to ice, my affection for New England quickly turns to disdain.

My ward is renouned for proceeding with church when all others have declared "snow day."

Trying to find parking during a snow emergency occurs about every other Sunday (remember, church proceeds!)

Last weekend, however, my contempt for the cold weather was somewhat subdued upon the discovery of a novel past-time celebrated in these bitter territories. Snowshoeing. Brittany and I joined a small group of New Hampshire and Vermont residents at Bear Pond near Lebanon, NH. The activity was surprisingly invigorating and enjoyable. The people were really fun and upbeat. By the end of the excercise my attitude towards the cold weather had softened substantially and my appreciation for the North East rehabilitated. Now that I've made peace with the winter I'm ready to move on to the spring.

Brittany was so fast in those snowshoes. One of the trail guides, Pete, noted her speed saying, "wow, she's really going!"

I tried my best to look good at snowshoeing in front of the group. Unfortunately I blew my cover as we were heading back and I fell over while trying to say "thank you" to my fellow snowshoers. We all had a good laugh.

Spring Class Schedule

2008-11-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

I just registered for Spring classes. I am most excited about the tax clinic. Only 8 students per semester get selected for this course! My spring classes:

Personal Income Tax
Will Estates & Trust II
Tax Clinic
Modern Remedies
First Amendment

Music Videos of home

2008-10-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorite Music videos filmed in San Diego. They are consoling when I'm bummed out by the North East freeze fest out here. The Dashboard video is filmed at the Hotel del Coronado and the Switchfoot videos is at a SoCal beach, I'm not sure which one, but definately reminds me of Oceanside Pier. SD, I'll see you at Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epHN4uSHox0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK_E7xS7AtQ

Fall Happenings

2008-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

I am convinced that Fall is the best season to be in Boston. The weather has been more moderate, sunny and generally more pleasant than any other season this year so far. The past couple weekend Brittany and I have spent showing visiting friends/family around boston, apple picking in Harvard, MA and visiting Salem.

Brittany and I at the Paul Revere Mall in the North End

Me, Brittany, Parker and Kate at Acorn Street on Beacon Hill

Harvard, MA

Brittany and I walking towards the Old North Church in the North End

Kate, Parker, Brittany and I sitting in a pew in the Old North Church

Surf & Turf

2008-10-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

My good friend and violin teacher David Truscott hosted a Surf & Turf dinner last night. We had Steak, Lobster, Sweet Potatoes and cheesecake and icecream and watched the Office and SNL Thursday up-date. It was an awesome night!

2008-09-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

Last week I began a new internship at the Suffolk County District Attorney's office (Boston). I will be working for the appellate division assisting ADA's (Assistant District Attorney) with appellate briefs. The position gives me the opportunity to develop my legal research, writing and analytical skills with a focus on criminal law. I'll be arguing for the State in opposition of convicted person's appeal to set asside judgment. I'm currently starting out on drug possession cases. I'm really looking forward to working there and getting a perspective of law in the public sector.

School Starts Again!

2008-09-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

After a long summer in Boston, I have officially begun my 3rd year of law school. Since I failed to post anything on my blog this summer, I thought I'd make a "Top 10" list of the most noteworthy things I did, or things that happened this summer.

10. Got to visit my former mission companion, Nathan King, in Connecticut where he now lives. 45 mins away!
9. Went on a day trip to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire with Brittany, Spencer, Emily and Christian. Got to go swimming, skim boarding and went to Portsmith for dinner. An awesome day!
8. Got my spring semester grade - Straight B+'s and Deans list!
7. Having my mom visit Boston for the Forth of July week. We did numerous tours and museums and watched the Boston Pops concert with Rascall Flatts at the Hatchshell, surviving a torrential rain storm.
6. Trip to Washington DC to visit David Truscott. We got to see all the monuments, including the Holocaust Museum and a trip to the DC temple.
5. Portland, Maine with the Ian & Whitany Dawson and Brittany. The lighthouse there was amazing!
4. Seeing the Red Sox at Fenway park on Labor Day Weekend with my friend Aaron Birch
3. Trip to Montreal with Ian and Whitney Dawson, my Mom and Brittany. On the way back we came down through NY and got to see the old Fort Ticonderoga. It was amazing!
2. Going to New York City with Brittany and her friends and sisters and staying at the New York Plaza Hotel. Luxury!
1. White-Trash road trip to North Carolina. A group of us left Boston to visit Trisha Cheney's family and got to enjoy Southern Living for a weekend, including getting to see a NASCAR event.

Easter & First Weekend of Spring

2008-03-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend was great! On Saturday Brittany & I met up with my San Diego friends Ian and Whitney Dawson and went to Concord to tour the Louisa May Alcott house. The Alcotts lived in this house during the Civil War and is the home where the novel "Little Women" was written and based on.

Later Ian took us to a great sushi resturaunt in Lexington. At one point I got carried away bragging about how much I liked wasabi and got peer pressured into eating a roll with a huge glob of the green stuff. I had fire coming out of my eye sockets! Besides that, though, the food was really good and we all had a fun time hanging out together.

For Easter Gina Paulino invited Brittany, David, me and some other friends from Boston to spend the day with her family down at Cape Cod. Gina's mom made a huge dinner, her dad hid a bunch of easter eggs, and everyone had a really fun and relaxing day.

Law Clerk Job

2008-03-12T12:39:00.001-07:00

This last week I started my 1st internship since I started law school. The position is part-time as a law clerk at the Law Offices of Stephen Sutton P.C. The firm specializes in insurance defense for personal injury cases, but also dabbles in Immigration Law and a few plaintiff's cases. The office itself is located at Braintree Hill Business Park and overlooks the South Shore. The view from the office is awesome. Everyone has been really friendly so far, especially the big boss who yesterday told me he'd help me draft my first Rule 14 joinder of a 3rd party defendant and complaint. I feel like this is a great opportunity to get my legal career started.

Full Tilt at the Middle East in Cambridge

2008-02-29T07:39:00.002-08:00

Last Thursday Brittany and I went with my friends Jon and Tara from school to see a local band called Full Tilt. The band began playing together while studying at Berkley School of Music and their lead singer Justin is also one of my friends and New England Law. They put on one of the best live performances I've ever seen. Check 'em out!: http://www.myspace.com/fulltiltrocks.

Full Tilt rocking our faces off!

See if you can't recognize anyone in the crowd!

Is This How Snowboarding Was Invented?

2008-02-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

Friday night Massachusetts once again got slammed with another wintery North Eastern storm, blanketing 9 inches of fresh snow all over Boston and surrounding cities. I was saddened, but not surprised, to find that no signification swell activity was in the forecast, so I reserved myself for another weekend of hibernation and inactivity. Not to be bested by the elements, however, my roommate suggested that get our sorry butts out of the house and go sledding, whether we had sleds or not. So we decided to go for it and it ended up being one of the funnest winter days I've had in Boston to date.

Bryce and I, equipted with snow boards and surf boards, drove over and picked up David and Emily and headed off to a local school yard which had some fun hills. When we pulled up there were kids everywhere pulling sleds and swoshing down the slopes. We knew it was going to be awesome once we pushed the little kids out of the way. For about 30 mins Bryce, David and I took turns dropping into steep ones on my surf board (with the skegs removed). Then David started building a snow ball, which eventually became a bolder too heavy for 4 men to push. The Bolder got so big it broke into three large pieces from which we assembled the sweetest snowman in Watertown. When the kids all saw the snowman taking shape they came running trying to help us build him. We told them to get away but they didn't. Oh well, It was a fun time anyway.

Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handy

2008-02-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

Here are 10 of my favorite, most profound thoughts to contemplate:

1. Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.

2. If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave man, I guess I'm a coward.

3. If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.

4. Sometimes when I feel like killing someone, I do a little trick to calm myself down. I'll go over to the person’s house and ring the doorbell. When the person comes to the door, I'm gone, but you know what I've left on the porch? A jack-o-lantern with a knife stuck in the side of it's head with a note that says "You." After that I usually feel a lot better, and no harm done.

5. Children need encouragement. If a kid gets an answer right, tell him it was a lucky guess. That way he develops a good, lucky feeling.

6. Instead of trying to build newer and bigger weapons of destruction, we should be thinking about getting more use out of the ones we already have.

7. If you're robbing a bank and you're pants fall down, I think it's okay to laugh and to let the hostages laugh too, because, come on, life is funny.

8. I remember that one fateful day when Coach took me aside. I knew what was coming. "You don't have to tell me," I said. "I'm off the team, aren't I?" "Well," said Coach, "you never were really ON the team. You made that uniform you're wearing out of rags and towels, and your helmet is a toy space helmet. You show up at practice and then either steal the ball and make us chase you to get it back, or you try to tackle people at inappropriate times." It was all true what he was saying. And yet, I thought something is brewing inside the head of this Coach. He sees something in me, some kind of raw talent that he can mold. But that's when I felt the handcuffs go on.

9. For mad scientists who keep brains in jars, here's a tip: why not add a slice of lemon to each jar, for freshness?

10. If you go parachuting, and your parachute doesn't open, and you friends are all watching you fall, I think a funny gag would be to pretend you were swimming.

Con Te Partiro Video

2008-01-30T09:14:00.001-08:00

This is a song written and recorded by my NESL friend Jon Yasuda. Jon decided to make a video and cast me and some of my friends from NESL as we hit the streets of Boston promoting awareness of the danger of STDs. It's pretty silly, but it was fun.

Buffy's Wedding

2008-01-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

My littlest sister Buffy got married on Jan. 18th in the San Diego Temple. Most people wouldn't think January would be an ideal month to get married but in San Diego it works pretty well. The whole weekend was a blur; I was designated as the unofficial airport taxi driver picking up and driving relatives back and forth from the temple to the reception and to the hotel. Much of the family was present for Buffy's temple endowment on friday which was pretty special. It was the first time I've been in the temple with one of my siblings, and it was even more special having my grandparents, mom and aunts, uncles and cousins there.

The wedding on Saturday couldn't have turned out better. The weather was clear and nice and the temple was not so crowded. In the summer dozens of couples are married each day. Saturday only 3 couples were married, so the officiator was able to spend a lot of time with the ceremony. The reception later in the day was really well put together. The decorations were impressive and the program was filled with lots of dancing and singing and fun.

Even though the weekend was jam-packed with weddings stuff, I was able to take my cousin Eric out surfing right before his flight left - it's only his second time surfing. And I got to see one of my old surf buddies from college days and his wife, which was special too. I only got a few pics from the wedding, but for more I'm sure you can check out Buffy's blog and she'll post some soon. PS. A shout out to my cousins Brooke and Katie who told me at the reception I need to update my blog more often!

Holiday Summary

2008-01-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple pics of the family over the holidays. All the family went to Wendy and Wayne's house in Mesquite Nevada for Christmas and then I went back with Mom and Buffy to San Diego for the rest the holidays. Aaron and I surfed a lot around the North County, mom joining us a couple times, and I got a 6'4" shortboard to use in SD when I'm home. Mom, Aaron and I also had a fun time at Escondido's First Night for New Years! It was good stuff.

Mountains near Mesquite, Nevada

Gwen at the Valley of Fire Nevada State Park

With a little imagination you can find good surf, even in the desert!!

Wendy and Gwen

Me laughing at the jumbo sized universal remote I got for my dad

Surfboard I scored for $90! Can't wait to test drive it!

Aaron, Mom and I about to surf in Solana Beach

Some killer New Years costumes we made at the First Night

A Family Thanksgiving!

2007-11-25T18:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving week was a busy one! My Mom and my sister flew in Tuesday morning right before the snow started to come down. But the snow only lasted a couple hours and it added to the holiday excitement. During the week I took the fam on the Freedom Trail tour, the Museum of Science, a Bruin's hockey game, the USS Constitution, Mike's Pastries, Plimouth Plantation, Lexington Green, Old North Bridge in Concord, Salem's Witch Museum, Mt. Auburn Cemetery. I was also really stokd cause it's was my sister's first trip to the EC and my mom's second, so I was glad they got to do a lot. We also had a great time hanging out with my roommates and friends!

Mom and Buffy and the USS Constitution

Buffy above the Old North Bridge in Concord

Lexington Battle Green

Mom, Buffy and I at Plimouth Plantation

Plimouth Plantation

Buffy, Gina and Tia: Picture Time!

I helped the local pilgrims with a little wood stacking action

Bruins vs NY Islanders. We won 2-1.

TD BankNorth Garden - The Bruins and the Celtics play here

Mom and Buffy at Sleep Hollow Cemetery

Vista from Mt. Auburn Cemetery

T-Station

The Beard Revolution

2007-11-19T21:39:00.000-08:00

The Beatles wrote the stirring words: "You say you want a Revolution, well you know, we all want to change the World." That is the same sentiment that inspired what came to be known around 82 Spruce St. as the "Beard Revolution." Initially, we supposed that the idea would not be so popular among the female population, but throwing caution to the wind, Jared boldy created a facebook group dedicated to the cause: Screw the Ladies, I'm Growing a Beard.

Weeks passed. Membership of the pro-beard Facebook group steadily increased. Many posted their support by leaving messages of encouragement; others vowed to start local chapters of the Beard Revolution in Arizona and Utah. One dedicated pro-beard activist even pledged to start a beard chapter at BYU, which outlaws beards as a matter of school policy. (While avoiding incitation, the BYU Chapter would provide a supportive forum for young men who would grow beards but for the BYU policy.)

While the Beard Revolution has enjoyed a powerful support, the reality is that circumstances often circumscribe our ability to maintain a beard. We find ourselves shaving to comply with dress code standards or like scenarios. The success of the Beard Revolution was not meant to be measured by it's duration. Rather, it is the spirit of the Revolution that will win the day. From the start, everyone who has dedicated themselves to growing a beard, whether it was for 1 week, 2 months, or even just 3 days, has expericence a degree of manly satisfaction. The Beard Revolution has sent a message to all the ladies in the world (and the wards) that some dudes are still okay with being Manly! If you support the Beard Revolution please contact your local chapter and find out how you can help today!

Pride and Prejudice Dance

2007-11-11T21:25:00.000-08:00

This Saturday night was Pride & Prejudice dance at Harvard. For the past four weeks Winston Tao and others have conducted weekly rehearsals to teach the five dances from the movie. The dance was held in a beautiful room on campus at Harvard University with a large dance floor and area for the string ensemble to perform. Everyone who participated came dressed in formal attire and the ladies looked amazing. The girls got "dance cards" which named each of the dances to be performed during the evening and a line where the gentlemen could sign his name to reserve a dance with the lady.

Carly and I came together dressed for the occasion. Carly sewed her own dress and also sewed a cravat which I wore with a vest. We walked in the room, filled with people elegantly dressed and the sound of the orchestra warming up, hung up our coats and joined in the fun. Winston welcomed eveyone and the dancing began. The cold weather outside made the warm room seem most comfortable. I met lots of nice people and had some good laughs. I also got some quality exercise. It was definately one of the funnest cultural events i've been involved in since I moved out to Boston. I'm looking forward to more in the future.

Getting ready to dance

Orchestra performing "Jane & Bingley's First Dance"

All the lovely girls

Tia and I

Finally... Decent Surf!!

2007-11-06T14:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend the East Coast finally got some decent swell activity. Besides a pitiful attempt to get waves in RI last month, this is the first time I've got to surf since August in San Diego. I was so stoked when I pulled up to the beach and saw conditions! The waves were super clean and the sets were coming in around 3-5ft. Water temp was 49. The wind was blowing straight offshore, making it hard to catch the waves, but once you caught one it was worth it. I got 8 decent rides in 2 hours and didn't have to share the waves with anyone. Eat that San Diego!

The picture above I took at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA. I took this about 2 minutes before I jumped in the water and paddled out. Two hours of heaven! Birchy, I wish you were there, bro!

Red Sox Win World Series 2007!! Parade!!

2007-10-31T13:59:00.001-07:00

Camping in Sharon Vermont

2007-09-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend the all the single wards in the Cambridge Stake went on a camping to Sharon, Vermont. The church owns 400 acres of forest up there and built a camp ground, named "Camp Joseph." Sharon, Vermont is celebrated in the church because it is the birthplace of the prophet Joseph Smith. There was a beautiful monument to Joseph Smith and a visitors center where you learn all about Joseph Smith.

On Saturday Jared, Katie and I made the three hour trip up to Camp Joseph. We got there around lunch, got some grub and took off to check out the "Gorge" and the Sugar Bush Farm. The Sugar Bush Farm was cool cause they make maple syrup and cheese there. You walk in and they start giving all these samples, telling you about how they are made. There was also a beautiful view of the Vermont mountains.

Later that night, back at Camp Joseph, we had a super fun talent show with lots of music. Jared and i played "If I fell" by the beatles, sporting our matching bandanas. It was fun.

Sunday was probably the best. We had sacrament meeting outdoors in a small amplitheatre made with logs. Bishop Haight conducted the meeting and impressed on us how significant the our meeting there was, worshipping in the place that Joseph Smith was born. The only potential bad thing was when I was passing the sacrament, slipped on some loose foliage and almost slid down the enitre slop with the sacrament in hand. Fortunately I caught myself before it turned ugly, but people were snickering for sure, myself included. It was an awesome time though, I can't wait to go again next year!

My Roommates Rock

2007-09-16T19:49:00.001-07:00

It's nice to have roommates that you get along with. But it's pretty awesome when you can rock out with them to I-tunes played through computer speakers on a Sunday night. Jared's big air was by far the highlight, but Bryce, Gill and I definately put on a good show. Watch out Air Guitar Competitions, you might see us on youtube.com sooner than later!

Camping in Maine

2007-09-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

My first trip to Maine was awesome. Bryce, David, Kylee, Gill and I drove up together and met everyone else at the campground in Maine. We got there around 8:30pm, it was already dark, but we threw together a fire and whipped out the guitar and it was an instant camping trip. The lovely weather tricked us into thinking we could "sleep under the stars," cause it started raining around 4 am. But it was cool, Kylee and Adam relocated into the car, and everyone else wrapped themselves in tarps.

Later in the morning we drove by the beach and discovered some well-shaped little waves. But it was still raining, so we took a few pics and called it a day. We also stopped by this mexican resturaunt Vida something, which was Natalie's purpose for the whole camping trip. It was good. Besides the rain, it was a killer trip!

My New Drug

2007-09-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

Moving to the East Coast is hard on any surfer from on the West Coast. Without surfing in my life I'm left to wonder, "what else am I passionate about besides the ocean?" Well, after a year in Boston I think I've finally found a substitute: Violin! Yep, my Mom proposed that for my birthday she'd replace my trumpet that was stolen a few years ago. Instead, I suggested that instead of a trumpet, getting a violin. I got my violin in the mail about 2 weeks ago and I am completely addicted to it - I crave practicing like I do crave surfing. I went to a music shop today and went on a shopping spree buying 5 beginning violin books and I told them I'd be back in a month for more. With law school starting up again it's nice to have something recreation to look forward to.

Benny's New Blog

2007-09-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

I decided to upgrade by blog from MSN Spaces at: http://benihanasurfco.spaces.live.com/. This blog should be easier to maintain and it also allows the reader to view higher resolution pictures than MSN spaces. Hope it works out, cause as the title of the blog suggests, there's lot of adventure is store!