"something like an anti-intellectual gesture"

A gnarly day. Dressed in a striped shirt and sports jacket, I show up at the Filbert Street courthouse this morning to learn that the defendant's lawyer's wife has just given birth. My case is thus postponed (for the fifth time).

Across the city and a few hours later, I'm told (in writing) by a professor that the tone of my exam and weekly responses is antagonistic, ineffective, and perhaps even occasionally offensive. The worst part is that I don't necessarily disagree. Some significant part of my mind seems to thrive on contention; and this same part learns through sometimes hysteric negation. I could, when I meet with her next Tuesday, justify this predilection with numerous arguments - and many of them would even be valid. But what gets at me is that she's hit on something that, despite my reasons, is not a considered pose or practice, but deep and inherent, definitive and compulsive. Of what use does it serve?

But now, 5:30, a snack, a drink with Sara, salsa, and then perhaps the gym. There's the mind, but also the body. Best not to forget about either.