Archive for the ‘Davis’ Category
Preparing for Thanksgiving
Monday, November 21st, 2011Davis Bike Ride on Labor Day Weekend
Monday, September 5th, 2011
Here is a short video of us starting on our biking adventure in Davis over the Labor Day weekend.
Young Steussy Law Students
Sunday, September 4th, 2011
After doing chores around town on Saturday, we stopped by the law school so that Gabi and the kids could see where I’m spending all of my time. The old moot courtroom where I take Civil Procedure class was open, so we had the kids pretend they were students. Great fun!
Law School Starts
Sunday, August 21st, 2011The reason we moved to Davis and have utterly shifted our lives is now upon us; law school has started. The Intro Week is now complete and it is time to start our actual studies.
I’ve met many of my fellow colleagues at King Hall. I am the oldest (err, most mature) in the class. I have the largest family with me. While statistics have not been published on the class beyond some brief measures, it appears that perhaps only ten other people are married. Notwithstanding a few oddballs like myself, it is a traditional post-graduate experience.
In talking with my fellow students, there is a range of reasons to be coming to law school. Driven, mature personalities; lost souls; seekers of fame, power and fortune; individuals on an intellectual challenge; some who simply see law school as the only way to legitimize an undergraduate eduction in political science, English or or other “soft” study. (My own reasons are published in detail here.) An interesting group; young, mature, attractive, enthusiastic. Certainly not overly cynical, greedy, brittle, egotistical or narcissistic; as lawyers and law students are commonly portrayed.
Personally, the challenge for me will be the separation of family and studies. I’ve filled my locker at King Hall with all of my books and notes, a stash of Diet Coke and power bars, workout clothes and other necessities. It will be where I study. When I come home, it will be to tell a few brief tales of the events to the day but, largely, to enjoy the trials and tribulations of my small family.
Above is a photo of Daniel, Veronica and Gabi running across an open field to get to Rainbow City, a vast playground in North Davis. We’ve been going to it in the evenings, after eating pizza in a downtown student restaurant.
Appearing somewhat like a wooden Angkor Wat, Rainbow City is a vast playground will slides, swings, jumps and falls. Perfect for four little boys and girls to get lost, meet people and play.
Here all four kids take turns sliding on a long, tall concrete slide (part of a skateboard park) near Rainbow City. The cardboard improves their speed on the rough surface.
With good luck (and planning), I’ll have sufficient time concentrating and studying at King Hall to continue to enjoy my family here in our new city. Three years is not so long; it feels like Aaron was born yesterday and he is nearly four now.
It will be an interesting journey.
Vacation Time
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011Vacation time. That’s what this feels like.
Actually, I’m working twenty hours a week, teaching GMAT and GRE Prep for Kaplan Graduate Testing. And we’re still unpacking boxes – just this morning, I emptied a dozen boxes in the office.
But it feel like vacation. The fact is my adult life has been full of serious responsibility — companies, employees, creditors and investors. I’ve had to worry in some way, shape or form every day since founding my first firm in Taiwan in 1989. No one depends on me in quite that way right now.
Today, there is a clear plan — prepare for law school, which starts in 19 days. The family is safe and comfortable in its new surroundings. We’ve been exploring the territory (Sacramento, Truckee and Lake Tahoe this past weekend). And no one needs anything from me (save two dozen students who require ministrations four nights a week).
In my adult life, I’ve had only one paid holiday. RUI Apple Computer Moscow gave me two weeks paid leave in the summer of 1993. I flew to Bali free first class as frequent flyer number 56 on Czech Airlines. I read The Rise and Fall of Great Powers by Paul Kennedy (purchased in Singapore) on the beach. I rented a motorcycle and purchased a painting –virtually the sole physical momento of my nine odd years abroad from 1986 to 1995. It was all good fun, but I don’t think my life has been lessened for not having more such holidays.
More updates later.
First Ride on the Davis Greenbelt
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011I’m not naturally a bike-oriented person, but I’m utterly floored by the bike lanes that run through Davis’ Greenbelt. They are a completely separate reality from the normal car-centric California city. You ride on the lanes and are surrounded by trees, birds and pass through numerous parks, playgrounds and schools — all without ever even seeing a car. Watch a little of our first ride below.
Life in Davis – Day 2
Monday, July 11th, 2011We’re here. Both trucks unloaded. Most of the furniture has been built, but boxes abound. Internet installed ten minutes ago – the house has a brain! More later.