Who came up with that phrase, "bright and early"? It seems to me it's a bit of an oxymoron, like "jumbo shrimp." So far as I can tell--and you can bet I don't have a lot of experience--"early" is rarely also "bright." Early is usually dark. "Bright" also fails to describe how I feel when it's early.
Dark, grumpy, and early. That describes what I anticipate for tomorrow morning. Maybe you're wondering why.
Well, the day after my husband got laid off a few weeks back, this came in the mail, addressed to me. When it rains, it pours, doesn't it?
Here in Sacramento, when you're summoned to jury duty, you're basically "on call" for the week of your service. Most trials begin on Mondays and Tuesdays, so those are the days most of the jurors get called in. My group was called for Tuesday morning. Once a juror hauls his or her tired, grumpy self down to the courthouse and sits around for a day without getting picked to serve on a jury, the juror's service is completed--for a year or so. Of course, if a potential juror is selected for a jury, the period of service can go on much longer. But we won't dwell on that.
So, tomorrow morning I have to be down at the courthouse at 8 a.m. Well, more like 7:40 a.m. if I want to get a parking spot in the juror lot. And I'll probably need to stop at Starbucks on the way. Which means leaving my house around the time I usually open one eye, squint at my alarm clock, and calculate whether I can sleep in for another 5 or 10 minutes.
During my lunch hour today, I had to go to JoAnn's to get some of this stuff:
It ended up costing around $50. Because of course, once I got to JoAnn's, I realized I NEEDED more than just adhesive. You know how it is, right? Good thing, though, because now I have these to occupy me during my long day of sitting around the jury room.
And truth to tell, I'm pretty sure I have a couple more quilting magazines around here somewhere that I haven't gotten around to reading yet.
So, tonight I'm going to pack myself a little project bag with my magazines, maybe a book, and maybe a little hand work. I know have a little wool bunny pincushion project I can take. I don't think we can take scissors into the courthouse though. They're probably afraid we'll get so bored down there, we'll want to stab ourselves to death, and with the budget crisis and all, I suspect they don't have a very large janitorial staff to clean up the blood. So, all that considered, I guess I should get off the computer and head into the Sweat Shop and cut anything that may need cutting.
Oh, yeah--I'm going to pack my camera too, so I can document my newest adventure to share with you if we're allowed to take any photos. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed that I'm not selected to serve on a jury. Because if I am, I'll be sworn to secrecy and THEN what will I have to talk about with you?
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11 comments:
I would think since you work in a law office that they wouldn't select you for a jury. But then it takes at least a whole day for them to decide they don't want you so you have to waste a day there anyway. The first time I went, I didn't think to bring a book and I almost went to the roof to jump! It was so boring, I'd rather be dead. The next time, I brought a ton os stuff to do. Have a fun day.
Chris in Sac
Missed reading your blog for about four days and look what I have missed! You!
Sounds like you will need one of those roller cases with all of you "stuff" yet, I know you will manage to pack it all in and fling it over your shoulder. You might consider taking some Airborne before, during and after. :0) I will think of you tomorrow, especially when I am having fun with my grandchildren in the back yard.
Hugs
Have a good time. NOT! I hate jury duty! The one and only time I had jury duty, I was there ALL DAY and at 4:45 is when they decided they didn't need me. What a waste! I hope they don't need you either but that they figure it out earlier in the day.
I've never ever gone for jury duty. Got the pre-screening letter a few times...you know check if you aren't able to or ARE able to serve: those types of things. Last time I got one I clicked the NO box for medical reasons and wrote in that my meds could be listed on request. They never requested them. Don't think they'll ever call me again which is fine by me.
You poor girl! I have done my time too... drove there but didn't get picked. What a drudgery....
I was actually picked to be in a jury, when I went to jury duty. It wasn't so bad. I helped to decide the fate of some man. It was kind of fun. The only thing was, he was acting as his own attorney. I would have liked it better if there a been a real attorney. I would have enjoyed the process more.
Ah, the dreaded jury summons. I have one of those too sitting right here on my desk. Do you have to call in like we do here in LA County? I continued mine the 3 months they give, then my father-in-law passed away and my first day would have been on the day of his funeral, luckily, they were nice and continued it for another month. Now mine is at the end of April. They should have a rule, after you've been used 5 gazillion times like me, they take your name out of the pool! Have fun! They seem to love those of us who work in law firms.
I've done jury duty twice. First time I was dismissed as it involved a robbery and I had been held up at work (long story, don't ask) and the second time I was picked but after lunch recess we found out it was settled. Hopefully I won't get chosen again and hopefully you won't spend your whole week there.
Hugs!
I know it's too late to help you this time (unless you got chosen for a jury, that is...) but I often take a pair of child's safety scissors when I'm going somewhere with security like a plane or a courthouse. They're not as sharp as our nice scissors, but a new pair is pretty decent, and they usually cost less than a dollar.
well you know, every day is a little adventure.
read that in a squeaky old lady voice.
then when you are done with those good looking magazines just pass them to me, because after tomorrow I'll be the amazing one armed woman. sigh.
Where I live you can't bring ANYTHING to eat/read to court. You just have to sit. To avoid being chosen...write your card very sloppy, and if questioned..say "somebody did something wrong or we wouldn't be here today". I know..it's saved my bacon several times from having to serve.
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