Dawn’s Holiday Party, 2018

Continuing a trend of meeting neighbors, tonight I attended a holiday party at my neighbor Dawn’s house. She last had a holiday party two years ago, and I had a fun time chatting and meeting several of her friends.

As another faculty member at the university, many of the folks I talked with tonight were professors. The first two men I chatted with were teachers in some way – and we got into a very interesting (and detailed) discussion about property law.

One gentleman was a scholar who studied Japanese literature, and hes reading up on colonial property law as the backdrop/context for the book he was writing on a particular author.

Another gentleman talked about a particular case (something most law students would know) that was decided by Marshall (and I’m guessing it’s John Marshall?)… involving land that was deeded to one person by an Indian chief, and the same land being sold to a different person by the British. In our conversations, the general theme seemed to be that much of property law gets written after-the-fact, once problems arise.

I got to meet Dawn’s boyfriend Mitchell, and talked at length about photography. I learned a lot about the photos he’s taken to “pay the bills,” and also the type of photos he seeks out, when shooting for himself. Mitchell used the word “interesting” a great deal, and I found that fantastic because I feel like I’m also someone who tends to repeatedly use the word “intersting” more than I should. But it’s a great word, and really fits when used in earnest. As it was, when Mitchell was talking about what catches his eye.

I also spoke with a couple who’d known Dawn for a long time, as their daughter has been friends with Peri (Dawn’s daughter) since the first grade. I got to hear a lot about Hyde Park back in the 90’s, and the ways in which it’s changed to today.

Chatted at length with lots of neighbors as well, and continued feeling lucky that we’re living on a good block, around such interesting, talented people.

Related:
Drinks and Dessert with Mark and Anna
Dinner with Bernie and Carol Jean