I decided to take another bar examination....which meant getting the application in by the deadline. Seems simple enough, until you realize what the bar application entails. So I am sitting there plugging away at this application for 3 weeks only to find out during a phone conversation with the state that I needed to have Y form completed by the deadline and I had been working on X for the past 3 weeks.

Sure enough, I thought I was done for until I start filling out the form when I realize that my parts easy....except for waiting on things from other people. For example, I was told I couldnt use a standard finger print card....it had to be one sent by that state and it would probably not get to me in time. (It did, with plenty of time to spare) Reading through all the requirements I discover that the state wants me to send in not only the Exam application but also the request for ADA accomodations at the same time. If I dont have that portion in, but have the rest of the application in its entirety.....guess what........ ITS CONSIDERED LATE. Which means a late charge of several hundred dollars minimum.

As this is a medical form, it means I need to have part of it filled out by my treating doctor. Great...I have enough trouble reaching them when I have an appointment. I find this out at the beginning of November, I had just seen the doctor on the 28th, meaning I could have just brought the form with me had I known about it.

Once I find out about this requirement I immediately start trying to reach my doctor. Those of you who have dealt with large teaching hospitals are no doubt aware that there are pitfalls that result from the structuring. Imagine all those standard problems coupled with a specialized clinic within the hospital with very limited hours for seeing patients. For an entire week, I kept getting transfered from the idiot nurse who does the intake to a never ending voicemail black hole. I say this because my messages were never returned.

Amazinly, on Nov. 8th I get a call telling me to fax it in to a certain number and the doc will get it ready for me in no time. On the 10th, I still havent gotten a call to pick up my form, even though I told them I needed it by the 11th as the deadline. I believe I left messages in the 9th gate of hell that day as a lesser demon returned my call posing as a nurse. That demon, obviously intent on inflicting harm and pain on me, informed me that the Doctor would not be in at all to fill out the form until Monday 14th. When I point out that they have had this all week including during clinic hours and I have a deadline, the demon tells me that the clinic is not open on Veterans day and monday will be the first chance, unless she somehow reaches the doctor. (Hmm....how would one reach a doctor while in the hospital? My g-d I wish they had a pager or intercom or legs to walk down the hall for when the telephone doesnt work)

I ask if another staff member who I know is ALWAYS there can fill it out for me. The demon says that she will find out and call me back before the close of business hours. This was mid morning, which apparently is all that demons are willing to work anymore...damn organized labor.

(FWIW, I had been starting calling the clinic around 9:30 am and leaving messages each time...giving a few hours in between calls. The 2 times I received calls back were around 3pm)

On Monday, the day before the absolute last second for timely arrival....I am panicking. No calls, nothing. I cant reach the demon to find out whats going on with the form. I decide its time to by pass the idiots. I know the name of a guy who works there, who I know was elevated to a supervisory role. So I call the University directory to get his direct line, figuring that if I go above the devil in the blue dress, I might get what I want. Sure enough, he was able to get it finished for me in all of 2 calls. On top of which, he had it ready for me within an hour of the last call. I guess it helps to have "friends" in high places.

So I run and get it all notarized, copied, draft a check that would have paid for a nice high definition TV. I go to the post office to make sure that I have todays post mark and get it off.

When I went to mail it, I had a wave of nervous energy hit me. Questions of why am I spending all this money and the luncacy of taking another bar exam filled my head. When the mark went on the envelope, the only difference was the realty that *I* had just signed another deal with the devil. Studying for months on end to understand the nuances of another states laws is not going to be fun. Neither is all the hell I will have until Feb.

Once that all passed and my confidence returned I realized, man is Feb coming up fast. Here I go again!