Exercising the mind...wish me luck.

I have been somewhat bored lately. Bordering on depression I think. I can’t remember the last time my brain was challenged or when I last sunk my teeth into the analysis of a problem to propose a solution. Nope. Things have been a bit humdrum between my ears. So, when the Toronto District School Board’s Continuing Education book came in the mail, it didn’t take much for me to think about taking something. But what? I skimmed through the arts and fitness classes. Zumba? Perish the thought. Watercolour? Kill me now. No, I wanted something that would give my brain a little something to chew on. Accounting? Wouldn’t that make Mr. More my high school accounting teacher laugh. And then I saw it. Law. Three simple letters. Yes, this might do the trick.

I have been told by few people that I should have been a lawyer. Mostly because I like to debate things I think. That trait I get from my dad.  My Mum likes to bring up this idea on a regular basis. I’m not sure if it’s because she thinks I indeed should have chosen law as my profession of choice. Or because she thinks that I still should. Either way it implies that I’d be a better lawyer than I am a PR person. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I also, do not think I’d be a particularly good lawyer. I think I’d be an even poorer student.

But, that doesn’t mean I haven’t had an interest. I think what’s ethical, what’s right, and what gets done can vary so widely in outcomes that law ultimately becomes a fascinating reflection of the human condition. So, I signed up and last night was my first class. The class is taught by a young woman who is a corporate lawyer with a specialty in international trade. English is clearly her second language and her lectures are fragmented and have little direction, but given the very little amount this course costs, I have to remind myself that I’m getting what I paid for.

I think what I will be able to study is the microcosm of society that this class represents. There’s Martin the ex-government employee who knows more about Canadian and US politics than our teacher. When discussing the history of law, its development, and how it is developed and delivered, Martin took the lead in pointing out the differences between Canadian and US government structures and their relationship with the justice system. There’s a bizarre girl who showed up late, acts as if turning off her phone might kill her, and thinks nothing of stopping the class to tell everyone that she already knows the information the teacher is sharing. There are three people in the class, clearly of very poor economic standing who are currently in situations with the law. One is a landlord who is being sued by former tenants, another is somehow dealing with a family member having their child taken away by Children’s Aid, and another has been charged with some crime and wants to represent himself in court. Based on last night’s lecture which was derailed on more occasions than I care to remember in a 120-minute class, I fear for this last man’s success.  

I don’t know what I’m doing in this mix o’ nuts. Lord knows if the class continues in the fashion it did last night, I may not always return. But if anything, it should nudge the ol’ brain into action – at least to consider new ideas and perspectives from such a varied group of people.