welcome

Well the new year is upon us, and I have chosen to celebrate by...starting a blog. Up until now, a blog just seemed like the last bastion of the self-involved, and I haven't had much interest in them. I've always thought that a blog should a)be funny or b)have a theme or c)be fiercely educational or interesting, like my cousin's siva's blog, here: www.sivacracy.net. Of course, now I have one. Why? I like having something that forces me to write everyday.

An introduction to me: yes, I am a lawyer. yes, I am a writer. My first book (with a major publisher, anyway) is The Street Law Handbook: Surviving Sex, Drugs and Petty Crime (Bloomsbury, November 2004). Having mentioned my book, I assume that you are all going to run out and immediately buy it. That is what happens, isn't it? Well, maybe just check out the website then: www.streetlawhandbook.com

So, following my own guidelines, this blog does indeed have a theme. I am an attorney-turned-writer, and I have a sneaking suspicion that there are many of us out there. Or many who would like to leave the hallowed, hollow profession of law to enter the impoverished, absurd life of writer. So basically, I'm writing about my oddball career choices. Hopefully it will be funny, but as for fiercely educational, well, we'll see.

My current hit list:

The Bohemian Manifesto by Laren Stover: a beautiful little book about living on the outskirts of the mainstream. Makes me feel normal. And she's a sweetheart.

London Fields by Martin Amis: I bought this book years ago because of the name of the lead character, Nicola Six. When I went to Disneyland as a kid, I never found a "Neeraja" coffee mug or license plate or key chain. I did see a couple Nicola's, and wished that was my name. I like Neeraja now, but I still use Nicola Six when I make reservations. Buy it for Nicola the femme fatale, and for all those nights you wished for a nice local British pub, where you could play darts, sip Guinness and contemplate alternative realities.

"Bring the Pain" by Method Man and The Chemical Brothers. The best mash-up ever.

The Essential Neruda: Pablo Neruda writes like most people dream.

Shopping in Chinatown: silk duvet covers, little kimonos, sandalwood oil--you can't get this stuff anywhere else.

Lemony Snicket's books (canon): Harry Potter meets the Addams Family. But did the movie have to have Jim Carrey? And why wasn't Tim Burton directing?

Anonymous Lawyer Blog. Very funny blog from a faux law-firm partner. Actually written by a law student, but weirdly accurate. Check it out here.

Rediscovering Old Music: When the alternative music scene was still new. Fishbone, Sonic Youth, the Cramps, Parliament, Gang of Four, the Stooges, Digital Underground, Jane's Addiction, Cypress Hill. Why is it that the music you listened to in high school is always the coolest?

That's it for now. Join me tomorrow for more adventures: The Odd Job, The Street Law Handbook in the New York Times Book Review, How To Dye Your Hair Blue and Why I No Longer Practice Law Even After That Very Expensive Degree.