Second Day of Jury Duty

[pegkerr]

Today I didn't get called at all. Just sat around the waiting room all day, reading the most mind-rotting women's magazines I could find, out of a sort of ghoulish fascination, to see how shallow they could be. Yeah, they're pretty bad.

I actually read a breathless magazine article about JLo . . . reporting for jury duty.

Comments

wifi

[mkaout.livejournal.com]

Do they offer wifi there? Certainly could help pass the time...

Re: wifi

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

No wifi, alas.

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

Wow, you're still on the hook for jury duty? My county in California has a one day or one trial rule; you would have been set free and off the hook for a year once you got released during the voir dire.

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Ha, I just made almost the exact same comment.
...
...
...
Holy cow, we live in the same town. How random!

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Oof, I'm glad that in California (or just my county?) your obligations are discharged for the year if you show up on the first day and aren't chosen.

help from your friends?

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Peg.
I recently have been accepted at a nearby school to finish my BA. I dropped out years ago, and am finally going back.
Come to find out that the school to which I've been accepted is far more conservative than anything I've aligned myself with... ever.
Push it aside, and just finish the friggin degree? Worry about it? Look at this as an opportunity to speak my mind and try to change things? (Though, doubtful, as this institution is affiliated with a religious sect.)...etc.etc.

It's taken a lot of nerve to even try to go back. And I really hate to think that I chose the wrong school. Honestly though, it was the first and only school I applied to, and the classes start on Thursday. Not a lot of wiggle room.
I applied 9 years ago to the state university, only to be turned down. The fact that I was accepted this time around makes me pleased and proud. (Weird though, because this is a private school and the state is public... perhaps the current school is just after money?!?!? )

I know you are not Dear Abby, but I really need some validation.

Please help, if you can.

Re: help from your friends?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I'm a big believer in education. Speaking of Dear Abby, do you remember that famous letter someone who wrote to her, saying that he wanted to be a doctor but he was having doubts, because if he went to med school, he would be fifty in seven years, when he would be finishing up. She replied, "But in seven years you would be a doctor. How old will you be in seven years if you don't go to med school?"

When my dad was fifty-five years old, he told us, "I've been a printer's salesman for thirty years, and I'm sick of it. I want to become a counseling psychologist." So he went back to grad school and got his psychology doctorate, finishing it at the age of sixty. He worked as a counseling psychologist for ten years until he retired, and it made him so happy. He was great proof to me that you're never too old to follow your dreams, if you can figure out what they are.

The school may be more conservative than you initially realized, but remember that schools are not monolithic institutions. Even the most conservative schools have, if you will, hidden pockets of resistance: liberal and progressive faculty members and student groups. You'll be able to find like-minded people if you just give it a chance and look around. And if you go for a year and find it really isn't right for you, well, going for a year will hopefully bolster your confidence in your own abilities, and you can simply transfer to another school with your credits.

Good luck. You should be proud to be accepted this time around! That's terrific. I hope this helps.

Re: help from your friends?

[(Anonymous)]

That does help. A lot. Thank you.

Re: help from your friends?

[(Anonymous)]

1st day today. I'd say the majority of the studets are more "like me" than they are "like them!"

Re: help from your friends?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Excellent! How encouraging. I hope it continues to go well for you.

Re: help from your friends?

[(Anonymous)]

ahhem. ˆstudentsˆ
geezlouise.

gonna be a long haul.

You must...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

MUST...bring a book or magazine you want to read!

[dreamflower]

I never go *anywhere* that I might have to wait for more than five minutes (including sitting in the car) without taking four essential things with me: a book or other reading material (such as fanfic printouts); a notebook or graph pad and a pen to write or doodle with; some sort of handiwork--usually (though not always) knitting; and a bottle of water.

I mean how many times can you read People magazines that are so old Princess Di is still alive?

And I'm far too twitchy to just sit.

[bohemianspirit.livejournal.com]

Oooo, reading your posts on jury duty has brought up my own not-so-pleasant memories related to my one time called to jury duty -- I had just started working my first third-shift job and didn't have the sense to take off work the night before, so I was nodding off through the orientation video and getting nasty looks and whispers from fellow would-be jurors -- and a relative's unpleasant experience in court. Basically, she had brought charges against the man on grounds of sexual assault with a weapon, and he even ADMITTED in testimony that he had done what he was accused of doing, but the jury proclaimed him "not guilty" because he hadn't "achieved penetration" and because "he seems like a nice guy who just got a little frisky and we're sure he won't do it again." I tell ya.

So, as much as I might like to be on a jury for a similar case so I can prevent a similar mishap of justice, it prolly ain't gonna happen. They'll screen me out soon as I start singing, "I am woman, hear me roar." ;-)

On the subject of mind-numbing magazines... ugh. I have to look at those things every week at work. I wish they would put the substantial magazines by the check-outs and bury the tabloid trash in the magazine section, but alas, earwax, it ain't gonna happen.

Have fun! And good luck getting something you'll feel good about.