When you are asked to write about yourself, it seems to be the easiest task. Just jump in, write your favourite things, write the ones you could do without, and jump right back out. You see? Easy. That is, of course, till it is not easy anymore. For some reason you would find yourself staring at the blank sheet for hours on end. Something that should have been as easy as picking just one day in your life and writing about it, suddenly morphs into a dissertation on the actual facts of the fall of Constantinople.
This is what I am facing with this page. I set out more than a week ago to write exactly what my blog is all about and yet, here I am- barely 127 words in and already so confused. I started this blog in order to keep up with my school work. It did not make sense that because of the Covid19 lockdown we were made to miss school for six months [and counting]. A pound of everything I had learned in school literally flowed out of my ear with every episode of Numb3rs or Disappeared I sat down to watch [ and trust me, that is a lot of episodes]. So, basically, I sat on my bum and stared at my television, gained weight or slept through out the whole day. Literally using a broom and packer to chase my first[1st] class away.
Then, I started this blog to help me with my schoolwork and motivate me to open one school text at least once a day. However, for some reason I still do not know what to write when I have sat down to write about what this blog is about. Before I started this blog, I bought about a dozen 20-leaves notebooks to help with my studying. Alas! Sunday to Saturday would still see me sleeping on my butt, further establishing the theory that it takes a lot of work to be truly accountable to yourself. Then the smart idea came to me [ like how all geniuses start] that I should start a blog. For two reasons;
- I love writing: I have always loved writing and the magic that happens when words are used in a very seductive manner. Sometimes, I liken the creative process of writing to cooking [an act I absolutely detest, but is definitely good for an analogy]. During the process of cooking, the pot is first empty. Some people even go into the kitchen without having something planned. Then, the ingredients go into the pot, get stirred, left to boil, simmers, and is finally served. If you are a novice, it is very likely that your food might be spat out. However, for someone sufficient in this craft, people digest it with utter admiration. This is just as sexy as when words from different categories are mixed and then something totally beautiful is formed at the end. An orgasmic experience indeed.
- I do not like reading academic texts: I think a lot of people can relate to this. Reading books prescribed by lecturers makes the act so tiresome. I love reading autobiographies, fiction, nonfiction, and even the always lauded science-fiction. But something that proves impossible to me is dedicating even a few hours to reading my school books. I get started and my brain, which was reluctant in the first place to start, suddenly reminds me of something I had to do before.
With this, I decided that I would combine my favourite thing to do with my least favourite thing to do. I would write about what I learned while reading my school texts. The first few weeks, the challenge was unassailable. My sedentary body and brain were jolted by the new wave of activity and struggled to keep us. Tragic. Just like all things I decide to do, the pace of the first few weeks was in one word- full throttle [I cheated, that is two words]. I did not give myself even the tiniest breathing space and just kept going and going and going. Initially, I had planned to dedicate three days in the week to these summaries, but like the overachiever that I am. I started posting even on the weekends. As expected, I broke down. That did not last long[thankfully] and I am back to normal now, but I have decided to make a few changes to the schedule. So, this is the brand new “Barely Legal Law Blog”
The name of this blog is literally what it says. For one, legal professionals or students, or whomever at all is interested or involved in the legal field, or even someone that has come across a legal article can attest to the fact that the language is a bit different. This is not different as in English-Swahili different. The vocabulary, word register, and systematic use of words come across as a bit different. For someone that is not knowledgeable about the basic legal terminologies, reading a purely legally-focused work is sure to be a hassle.
Therefore, I started this blog because although I would write a lot [much of it in fact] about the law in Nigeria and around the word, the superfluous legalese would not have a home here. This is not to mean that I would totally go around these terms but the hack is to simplify them. I wish I could devise a means to totally sidestep these Legal idiolects, but that would not be possible without removing from or adding to the Law. What I do here is then presenting the law in its most distilled form, to the best of my capability.
I have a schedule of post times because I know, as much as anybody, how annoying a clogged inbox is. This timeline is supposed to guide me & you on the various times a week I would be posting on my blog.
So here it is!
- Monday: Mondays are dedicated to writing case summaries. Anybody that has attempted to open a law report can give the gist on how arduous the task is for someone with little or no knowledge of legalese [ fancy people talk for legal language]. It proves even harder for individuals to dedicate that time to actually reading through the whole record of the hearing [30-50 pages at times of boring legal talk]. But I like reading, and even writing more, so it is a win-win situation.
- Wednesday: On Wednesdays, I write about whatever topic has caught my fancy. At the time I am writing this, I am fixated on the issue of the death penalty in Nigeria so updates are written every Wednesday. Principles of the law we have heard about all find a home here, as I lend my subjective opinion on these matters. Wednesday posts can get a bit lengthy so my apologies beforehand. On this day, I also write on mental-health related topics.
- Fridays: Be warned, I am excellently adept at telling stories. On Fridays, I write stories about different people in different circumstances, and try to make a connection with a certain principle of law [ this is a law blog, what were you expecting]. These stories may be totally fiction and created in my mind, but sometimes I might draw inspiration from very infamous incidents in the community.
- Sundays: I ask and answer questions on Sundays. These questions are gotten from our favourite law textbooks, or I would just make them up. Sensible questions I promise. I ask these questions and then answer them so it would be like an assignment given to be answered over the weekend.
- Quotes: These are notable pronouncements by famous judges in landmark cases. So, I write them down and post them whenever I feel like it. it would most likely be on Mondays whenever I am done with the case reviews. Side note: this is very unnecessary and pointless information, but I get Goosebumps whenever I read a notable pronouncement.
I hate a clogged inbox just as much as you do, so I hope to keep to this timeline. I hope we have a wonderful journey. Since I started this blog, I have been more motivated to read every day. They say a person has to find what works for him or her and I do not see myself quitting this blog anytime soon, even if we are called back to school. There has been a drastic improvement in my educational life and I am so happy about it.
This blog is not just for me [ evening I do have the administrative rights to it], it is also a gift to everybody out there. For everyone whom is struggling with their education, finding it hard to read, and probably on a path to giving up. I am not a certified teacher, neither am I a first-class student but I do know about the rigours of reading and not understanding one thing, so this is a gift top everybody like me.
From a student like you with love and all the best wishes
Preye
The Barely Legal Law Blog 