Stranger in a Strange Land

So, I'm in Utah again - in the law library on BYU's campus. And it looks like these guys have again defeated Lewis and Clark in IP moot court. We've done well the last two years, making regionals both times, but then we lost both years to BYU. (sigh). I'm wearing my BYU t-shirt, my laptop, and am plugged into their network through a cable. But I'm thinking I'll head upstairs to see if I can get access to their wireless network. I wonder if they'll give that to me. I've got a goatee - that's a no-no for BYU students, and I'm halfway expecting someone to mention something to me about it.
I'm sort of itching for a fight, I guess. It's been a while since I was able to exercise the "Dark Side of the Force" - a thing we've always called "The McEwen" - for my mother's side of the family. They're all very quick with the wits and the tongue, and it's strange how they all have their own personal style. My uncle Jerry is quick and witty and very sharp, but it's more to be funny than anything else. My Mom is quick and witty and very sharp, but it's a little more sarcastic, and can fillet an idiot six ways 'til Sunday. And back in the day, I was a lot more biting, myself. Someone would piss me off, and it was like a black cloud descended around me, and I would let fly with something absolutely devastating.
When Reeta and I were first dating, I tried to explain it to her, and she challenged me on it. She actually dared me to say something sarcastic and biting to her, not understanding the power of the McEwen. I tried and tried to get out of it, but she insisted so, I let fly. I don't remember what I said, and neither does Reeta, but she almost broke into tears. I felt like I had just stomped on a cute little bunny rabbit. Hard. Poor Reeta! But she married me anyway, and I've worked hard to channel that underlying dark side for the forces of good, rather than evil. But every now and then I worry that perhaps I've lost that part of myself. Which would be really sad, for me. I feel like it's kind of my heritage.

In other news, Reeta's Grandfather's Sister's husband passed away last night. Our thoughts go out to Yvonne, and we hope she's doing well. Reeta's grandparents are actually flying out to Utah today to see the family, and had planned originally on staying for a week or so. But now it looks like they'll fly back tomorrow or Wednesday for the funeral. Well, we're glad we'll see them as long as we will. And Beth is flying in today with her new Baby, Nicolas Ryan. So that'll be fun, too. We're looking forward to it.
Now, I have a paper to write...