All Hallows Eve

If there were such a thing as Halloween Eve, I would definitely be one to open his gifts early. Of course the spooky day occurred mid-week this year…so who could resist a little pre-holiday celebration? Last Friday afternoon, a fellow investigator and I took off from the office and headed to a costume store, where things got serious…

They had everything. I was unsure about the direction I’d take with my costume until I saw it—a true beacon of Halloween. The shining silver plastic roman shield and sword (child-sized of course) seemed to come straight from the dreams of my youth. Then it hit me. I would be the huge bad guy from the movie 300. I found a chain link belt (which may have been a little feminine…others described it as a man belly chain), Roman leather strap-up sandals, an appropriate headdress and some leather wrist guards. Obviously, I was more than ready for the festivities to begin.

There are many ways to gauge Halloween success, but could there be a more accurate measure of costume greatness than a TWC Meridian at Braddock Station Costume Contest?

We carved pumpkins, devoured cupcakes, played Twister and—when the night came to a close—only one soldier remained. His name was Zerkcies (me) and he proudly stood in front of his peers, gowned in his fine golden bed sheet, and accepted his prize as champion. What a moment it was…..

On Monday, life returned to the feverish pace people in D.C. call normality, as I have been working very closely with a Public Defender Service lawyer while he prepares for multiple trials this week. The attorney I’m describing often shares with me his thoughts about his direct questioning of our witnesses and, when appropriate, details his cross-examination strategy. All the while, we laugh about the hectic and sometimes humorous moments we have lived through during the investigation and preparation for each trial. Again I’ve been working late, and I’m getting progressively more worried about the December 1st LSAT, but I guess that’s just the way it should be for a 22-year-old attempting to prepare himself for a future he is still in the process of planning.

I’ve resisted thus far but I can resist no more… I divulge into the dangerous subject of reading list recommendations. I’m making my way through this book very slowly, covering a few pages every time I ride the Metro (one benefit of commuting is automatic reading time). It’s called John Adams and is written by David McCullough. On the way to LSAT class recently, I read a line McCullough pulled from Adams’ diary: “The point is now determined, and I shall have the liberty to think for myself” (60). Reflecting on former President Adams’ words I thought of my current plight…

I am in transition. Spurred on by a combination of youth, ambition and curiosity, my biggest worry is choosing for myself. Free from overzealous advisors and parental pressures, I’ve got a myriad of promising opportunities presenting themselves to me in Washington, D.C. I’m certain that I’m in the right city for this period in my life, now I just have to choose which path I will tread.

Well here’s to procrastination—tonight no choices are to be made. Tonight, it’s Halloween and my costume is again calling my name.

IW