Back in March, I received a notice for Jury Duty. They wanted me to call in 3 weeks to find out if I should report. 3 weeks?! I don't remember my weekly nail appointment half the time, let alone something in 3 weeks? Needless to say, I promptly forgot all about it. Late April, I received a green postcard stating they knew I hadn't reported for Jury Duty and they were giving me a second chance. Ya-freaking-hoo. Just out of spite, I "forgot" about this one too. Gawd, take a hint. Then at the beginning of June, they had to get nasty and start talking about "warrants" and "appearing in front of the judge". Yikes.
Alright, already. Sheesh.
So I called and rescheduled my time to come down for June 18th. And this was like a week in advance, and I seriously almost forgot about it again. (This is why libraries and video rental places love me)
The last time my mother had Jury Duty, she took the bus, which will pick you up at various stops throughout Lodi, and then drop you off practically at the courthouse front door in Stockton. Now I've been to the courthouse in Stockton before (sightseeing, of course), so it's not like I didn't know how to get there. And yes I know parking is a pain, but you don't live through 7 years of Sac State parking and come out unskilled. But she was such an advocate for it, even going with me to get a schedule from the station, that I relented. (In hindsight, I realized I took advice from someone who's relatively frightened to drive in LODI, but I digress) (Love you, Mommas!)
I had to be at the courthouse by 8 a.m. The closest bus stop was about a block and a half away from my apartment. So at 6:45 a.m., armed with a bag filled with magazines, a book, my headphones, a notebook, the bus schedule and snacks, I find myself at the stop where 6 other people are already waiting. Promptly, the bus arrives...and it's already pretty full. My stop was the second stop. WTF? Who knew so many people rode the bus? (Obviously, not me)
So I'm riding in an un-air conditioned bus (did I mention that it was the hottest day of the month so far?), sideways, since all the facing-front seats are taken. Not. Pleased.
In an attempt to not look like a bus riding novice, I do what practically everyone else under 50 is doing...putting on my headphones and listening to some tunes while the bus heaves and sways its way on down the road. At the remaining Lodi stops more and more people are getting on, and no one seems to be getting off. Again, who knew?
So I get to the courthouse in one piece and now must go through the metal detectors. Question? Why the hell must I take off my belt? Has this always been the case, or is this some sort of post-9/11-slash-judge stabbing reactionary tactic? (Maybe they don't make sightseers take off their belts?) If I'd known, I'd not have worn the one pair of capris I own which actually require a belt (unless I feel like letting folks in on Kristen's Secret).
I head down to the jury room, where we all sign in, complete a paper with our phone number and our employer information and get our jury badges (We don't need no stinkin' badges!) Then I find a seat with a good eye line to one of many flat screen tvs positioned around the room. Flat screen tvs (plural)?? Glad to see my tax dollars at work. But at least the seats are fairly comfy, squishy chairs. And there is free coffee and tea in the back. And there is a Java Stop right next door with snacks and specialty coffees. Maybe this won't be so bad.
Ugh. I lied. I get a free coffee and realize quickly it is free for a reason. Bitter, despite my 3 sugar packets. And WTF, San Joaquin County...multiple flat screen tvs, but no Splenda in sight?
So I get situated and start reading a book, while intermittently texting the Moms about how lame this all is. At one point, just to ensure I don't burn through my book too quickly, I look around. In addition to the flat screens, they have inspirational Jury Duty posters up with sayings like, "It's not fair if you're not there" and "Somebody has to...Be somebody". Nice. I know I'm inspired!!
About an hour into it, the Jury Duty desk lady gets on the horn and starts jabbering on about keeping the room clean and other rules of the jury room; and the schedule of the day: we're going to watch a video, then take a break, and then we should know if we are going to get called in to a case at about ten minutes to 11. WTF? Oh, and they can keep us until 5 p.m. Double WTF?
So we watch the Jury Duty propaganda video about why it is so fabulous to serve on a jury, then take a 10 minute break. Then some lame tv. Did you know that the Today Show takes an hour long hiatus for Live! with Regis and Kelly? Aaarrrgh! Then at 10:55, they call me and 5 others up to the counter. We've all been excused! Thank Christ.
And to think I don't get to do this again until after January 1, 2011.
Alright, already. Sheesh.
So I called and rescheduled my time to come down for June 18th. And this was like a week in advance, and I seriously almost forgot about it again. (This is why libraries and video rental places love me)
The last time my mother had Jury Duty, she took the bus, which will pick you up at various stops throughout Lodi, and then drop you off practically at the courthouse front door in Stockton. Now I've been to the courthouse in Stockton before (sightseeing, of course), so it's not like I didn't know how to get there. And yes I know parking is a pain, but you don't live through 7 years of Sac State parking and come out unskilled. But she was such an advocate for it, even going with me to get a schedule from the station, that I relented. (In hindsight, I realized I took advice from someone who's relatively frightened to drive in LODI, but I digress) (Love you, Mommas!)
I had to be at the courthouse by 8 a.m. The closest bus stop was about a block and a half away from my apartment. So at 6:45 a.m., armed with a bag filled with magazines, a book, my headphones, a notebook, the bus schedule and snacks, I find myself at the stop where 6 other people are already waiting. Promptly, the bus arrives...and it's already pretty full. My stop was the second stop. WTF? Who knew so many people rode the bus? (Obviously, not me)
So I'm riding in an un-air conditioned bus (did I mention that it was the hottest day of the month so far?), sideways, since all the facing-front seats are taken. Not. Pleased.
In an attempt to not look like a bus riding novice, I do what practically everyone else under 50 is doing...putting on my headphones and listening to some tunes while the bus heaves and sways its way on down the road. At the remaining Lodi stops more and more people are getting on, and no one seems to be getting off. Again, who knew?
So I get to the courthouse in one piece and now must go through the metal detectors. Question? Why the hell must I take off my belt? Has this always been the case, or is this some sort of post-9/11-slash-judge stabbing reactionary tactic? (Maybe they don't make sightseers take off their belts?) If I'd known, I'd not have worn the one pair of capris I own which actually require a belt (unless I feel like letting folks in on Kristen's Secret).
I head down to the jury room, where we all sign in, complete a paper with our phone number and our employer information and get our jury badges (We don't need no stinkin' badges!) Then I find a seat with a good eye line to one of many flat screen tvs positioned around the room. Flat screen tvs (plural)?? Glad to see my tax dollars at work. But at least the seats are fairly comfy, squishy chairs. And there is free coffee and tea in the back. And there is a Java Stop right next door with snacks and specialty coffees. Maybe this won't be so bad.
Ugh. I lied. I get a free coffee and realize quickly it is free for a reason. Bitter, despite my 3 sugar packets. And WTF, San Joaquin County...multiple flat screen tvs, but no Splenda in sight?
So I get situated and start reading a book, while intermittently texting the Moms about how lame this all is. At one point, just to ensure I don't burn through my book too quickly, I look around. In addition to the flat screens, they have inspirational Jury Duty posters up with sayings like, "It's not fair if you're not there" and "Somebody has to...Be somebody". Nice. I know I'm inspired!!
About an hour into it, the Jury Duty desk lady gets on the horn and starts jabbering on about keeping the room clean and other rules of the jury room; and the schedule of the day: we're going to watch a video, then take a break, and then we should know if we are going to get called in to a case at about ten minutes to 11. WTF? Oh, and they can keep us until 5 p.m. Double WTF?
So we watch the Jury Duty propaganda video about why it is so fabulous to serve on a jury, then take a 10 minute break. Then some lame tv. Did you know that the Today Show takes an hour long hiatus for Live! with Regis and Kelly? Aaarrrgh! Then at 10:55, they call me and 5 others up to the counter. We've all been excused! Thank Christ.
And to think I don't get to do this again until after January 1, 2011.
