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July 05, 2006
Fulfilling My Civic Duty
There's all sorts of duties I have to fulfill these days.
No lie, but in the last three weeks, I have had ONE NIGHT that I didn't have plans. Firm events (mainly), concerts, parties, etc. The only reason I didn't have plans that lone night in fact is that I skipped kickball.
I am exhausted. Also, my liver is pickled.
However, I am, surprisingly enough, loving my job even if I am continually two ticks away from a heart attack.
But today, today, I missed work. For JURY DUTY. Eek.
I was THIS CLOSE to being empaneled. Four jurors left in the pool, and I'm still sitting there, Juror #7, crapping my figurative pants over how I'll be working every night after duty (duty, ha!) is over to meet all my deadlines and cursing the Los Angeles criminal court system, when suddenly, hail-be-to-something, the defense attorney excuses me.
TIP #1: When you are DESPERATE not to serve jury duty, but can't say under oath you won't be able to be an impartial juror and follow the law? Just stare at the defendant. Go ahead, stare. Get caught staring by the defense. Get caught staring at him with this ponderous expression on your face that screams, "I am wondering whether I am his next victim and what he looked like when he was committing those atrocities."
TIP #2: When the 1-800-SRV-JURY message tells you "business casual?" This does not mean:
a) Tube tops
b) F**k-me heels paired with a nice mini and mesh top.
c) Oh, I give up. 97% of the outfits worn in the greater downtown area.
Anyway, I was glad to be excused from this one duty. I've got enough.
Too much.
Everything else has been neglected. My friends, my family. I only finally heard about my brother's honeymoon this evening.
And of course, this blog. And your blogs. I'm sorry.
But a blog-infused existence is on the horizon. Just four weeks left. Then I'll be duty-free.
Posted by jen at July 5, 2006 11:16 PM
Comments
i've missed you! :)
Posted by: carolyn at July 6, 2006 08:50 AM
Don't feel bad, Panda Bear.
Posted by: Jeff at July 6, 2006 03:34 PM
I had thought that perhaps they were overworking you and that was why no posting. Great job getting out of the jury duty!
Posted by: Dagny at July 6, 2006 04:16 PM
One lawyer excused me for examining my fingernails too closely...
They had a no-knitting-needles rule (in 2005). I wrote to complain and got some sock-and-bull story about "our post-9-11 world." (This was shortly after that case where the convict stole the guard's gun in a courtroom to escape, so clearly the biggest threat facing them was knitting needles.)
Posted by: Anne at August 9, 2006 11:05 PM