Well, this past week I was selected for jury duty. A few months ago I got a questionnaire in the mail, which I filled out and sent in. I just didn't know when I would be asked to come in. Then on Tuesday I got a letter in the mail letting me know that I needed to report to the courthouse on Friday. So I prepared substitute plans, asked our Special Ed teacher to cover for me, and I was ready - if not eager - to go.
It was my first time, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Of course, I've seen lots of court scenes in tv shows and movies, but I figured it would be a little different.
The letter instructed us to show up at the courthouse at 8:00 a.m., but I arrived a little early (having come straight from dropping Jeff off at work at 7:30), only to find that...it was locked. So there were several prospective jurors waiting around in the cold until they let us in. Fortunately, I brought a book to read, so I wasn't bored.
After being let inside, we waited in line to check in, just giving our names so they could mark off that we were there. I was surprised that they didn't ask for ID - anyone could have shown up and claimed to be me. We then waited some more, during which time I chatted a little with those sitting near me and graded some papers.
They then had us watch a pretty cheesy video about jury duty. The music was really bad, and the dialog wasn't much better. It was about what to expect when serving on a jury, which is fine, but it also had a lot of statements from past jurors about what an honor it was to serve, and how interested they were in the case, etc.
I decided that I wouldn't mind serving, if it was just for one day. But I kind of wondered what the case would be about, and what it would be like to serve on a jury.
After the video, they called us in to the court room one by one, seating us randomly throughout the room. We had to pass through a metal detector and let a guard briefly search our belongings. I ended up being the very last juror called in, so I was seated in the back.
One of the first things I noticed was that the defense and prosecuting sides sat so they were facing us, with their backs to the judge. I thought it was weird. But now that I look back on it, they probably sit that way during jury selection, and face the "regular way" during the trial.
The judge had everyone stand and introduce themselves by saying where they worked, where their spouse works, and where their adult children (if they had any) worked. She then proceeded to ask us a series of questions, where we would raise our hands if our answer was yes, and then she'd call on us individually to explain our answers.
Through the types of questions she asked, I learned that it was a DUI case. In response to one of her questions, I let them know that I'm morally opposed to drinking and driving. I think that was the nail in the coffin that sealed my fate - I was not selected to serve. (Only 4 were selected to serve on the jury - that's another thing I didn't expect.)
OH DARN! ;)
Well, for my 2 1/2 hours at the courthouse, I got $18.50 and an interesting story to tell.
I'd like to think that I still could have been impartial and ruled fairly. But another part of me wonders if I would have judged unfairly if I had learned that the defendent had drunk and then driven, even if it was below the legal limit. Guess I'll never know.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Funny Chats
I thought it would be fun to share a few g-mail chats that I've had with Jeff while I was at work. To find these clips, I started back when Jeff and I were dating. It was fun reading through them. Sorry it's kind of long.
10/25/07
Jeff: Work was okay today. I feel like I am on shaky ground. I am moving from something I do very well and enjoy doing to something I am poor at doing and don't really enjoy. I feel like everyone is speaking a new language to me that I don't understand.
me: Sounds frustrating.
Jeff: I am trying to make lemonade out of lemons, but I am low on sugar.
me: But at least you're going into it with that attitude. That's gotta help with the overall sugar level.
...
me: It's like you're stuck on an episode of the Office, but you're getting the raw end of the deal and there's very little humor. Office politics can sure be screwed up sometimes.
11/6/07 (Jeff was feeling sick and had stayed home from work. And by the way, this is the day that we started "officially" dating.)
me: So what have you done today? Watched any good movies?
Jeff: I watched tv and veged. Not any movies. I did some laundry and mopped the floor.
me: You mopped the floor?!? Wow, you're a much more active sick person than I am.
Jeff: with a swiffer quick and easy.
me: Oh, good.
1/28/08 (we had gotten in a car accident due to snow back in December)
Jeff: I was getting a lot of comments today about me dating. - Because we ran into my coworker at Boondocks.
me: oh yeah?
Jeff: One lady asked how my hot date was? I hesitated because I was thinking of you as my hot girlfriend instead of a hot date. She thought I was embarrased, but I wasn't.
me: :)
Jeff: She also said she knew because she heard that we had run into someone from work and everyone thought that meant we had been in an accident. Silly. Then my other co-workers reminded them that we had actually been in an accident a few weeks ago.
me: very silly. but hey - only off by a few weeks!
Jeff: Then they were asking me if I had made any big purchases lately. Them teasers. My coworkers knew i purchased a tv.
me: yep. coworkers can be funny like that
2/12/08 (Jeff was sick again. This was also the chat where Jeff came up with the phrase "much of bunches")
me: have you eaten much today? still sticking to brat and getting plenty of fluids, right?
Jeff: still on the brat. Bananas, apple sauce and toast. I will try rice tonight.
So I guess I am on the bat diet.
me: hee hee. :P
2/27/08 (Jeff was still feeling sick)
me: I hope you're having a good day. I'm having an ... interesting day. I've been very scatterbrained, and I kept getting frustrated and sighing outloud. I feel very disorganized. I'm thinking of going home early today.
Jeff: I feel a little scatterbrained after taking the pain pill.
me: hmm - what's my excuse?
Jeff: sympathy scatterbrainedness.
3/10/08 (we got engaged on the 8th, the Saturday before this chat; we're discussing signing Jeff up for Facebook)
me: no, you can't visit my site if you don't have an account. would you like my login info?
Jeff: I'll just set up an account later? Would I be able to view the stuff posted on your site then?
me: yes, after i approve that we're friends (you or i would need to request, and then the other would approve)
Jeff: I would hope you would approve that we're friends he-he-he;)
me: hmm, i might need to think about it ;)
Jeff: I'm glad you didn't say that Saturday ;).
10/7/08 (this was a week after I had surgery on my finger, so I had a splint or cast on my right hand)
me: it's cold at my work - i wish i had gloves
the heat doesn't work :(
Jeff: :( you could only really use one.
me: ha ha hadn't thought of that
thanks! u reminded me that i have a mismatched glove in my drawer
(i lost its mate last winter, but never threw it away) and it's the left one! :):):):):):)
Jeff: That's cool.
or warm.
me: :)
10/25/07
Jeff: Work was okay today. I feel like I am on shaky ground. I am moving from something I do very well and enjoy doing to something I am poor at doing and don't really enjoy. I feel like everyone is speaking a new language to me that I don't understand.
me: Sounds frustrating.
Jeff: I am trying to make lemonade out of lemons, but I am low on sugar.
me: But at least you're going into it with that attitude. That's gotta help with the overall sugar level.
...
me: It's like you're stuck on an episode of the Office, but you're getting the raw end of the deal and there's very little humor. Office politics can sure be screwed up sometimes.
11/6/07 (Jeff was feeling sick and had stayed home from work. And by the way, this is the day that we started "officially" dating.)
me: So what have you done today? Watched any good movies?
Jeff: I watched tv and veged. Not any movies. I did some laundry and mopped the floor.
me: You mopped the floor?!? Wow, you're a much more active sick person than I am.
Jeff: with a swiffer quick and easy.
me: Oh, good.
1/28/08 (we had gotten in a car accident due to snow back in December)
Jeff: I was getting a lot of comments today about me dating. - Because we ran into my coworker at Boondocks.
me: oh yeah?
Jeff: One lady asked how my hot date was? I hesitated because I was thinking of you as my hot girlfriend instead of a hot date. She thought I was embarrased, but I wasn't.
me: :)
Jeff: She also said she knew because she heard that we had run into someone from work and everyone thought that meant we had been in an accident. Silly. Then my other co-workers reminded them that we had actually been in an accident a few weeks ago.
me: very silly. but hey - only off by a few weeks!
Jeff: Then they were asking me if I had made any big purchases lately. Them teasers. My coworkers knew i purchased a tv.
me: yep. coworkers can be funny like that
2/12/08 (Jeff was sick again. This was also the chat where Jeff came up with the phrase "much of bunches")
me: have you eaten much today? still sticking to brat and getting plenty of fluids, right?
Jeff: still on the brat. Bananas, apple sauce and toast. I will try rice tonight.
So I guess I am on the bat diet.
me: hee hee. :P
2/27/08 (Jeff was still feeling sick)
me: I hope you're having a good day. I'm having an ... interesting day. I've been very scatterbrained, and I kept getting frustrated and sighing outloud. I feel very disorganized. I'm thinking of going home early today.
Jeff: I feel a little scatterbrained after taking the pain pill.
me: hmm - what's my excuse?
Jeff: sympathy scatterbrainedness.
3/10/08 (we got engaged on the 8th, the Saturday before this chat; we're discussing signing Jeff up for Facebook)
me: no, you can't visit my site if you don't have an account. would you like my login info?
Jeff: I'll just set up an account later? Would I be able to view the stuff posted on your site then?
me: yes, after i approve that we're friends (you or i would need to request, and then the other would approve)
Jeff: I would hope you would approve that we're friends he-he-he;)
me: hmm, i might need to think about it ;)
Jeff: I'm glad you didn't say that Saturday ;).
10/7/08 (this was a week after I had surgery on my finger, so I had a splint or cast on my right hand)
me: it's cold at my work - i wish i had gloves
the heat doesn't work :(
Jeff: :( you could only really use one.
me: ha ha hadn't thought of that
thanks! u reminded me that i have a mismatched glove in my drawer
(i lost its mate last winter, but never threw it away) and it's the left one! :):):):):):)
Jeff: That's cool.
or warm.
me: :)
New Blog Title
So, you may be wondering why the new title and what does it mean. We got kinda tired of our old name, especially because we were reminded that it was the name of a prison camp.
There was this time when I was really sick last February - which included two trips to the hospital and lots of time eating a brat diet. Or I didn't really like rice so take out the "r" and I call it the bat diet - no bugs though. So one of the days I was home chatting with Christine through gmail and I was all drugged up on Lortab. So this was our conversation.
me: I will see you tonight. Love you much of bunches.
Christine: what? much of bunches?
me: love you bunches and bunches and bunches or a lot of or much bunches. i am just silly on Lortab.
Christine: ok. ;) love you much of bunches, too
me: ciao for now.
So now we often say to each other "Love you much of bunches" and the other says back "Love you bunch of munches". (The second phrase came a few weeks later.)
There was this time when I was really sick last February - which included two trips to the hospital and lots of time eating a brat diet. Or I didn't really like rice so take out the "r" and I call it the bat diet - no bugs though. So one of the days I was home chatting with Christine through gmail and I was all drugged up on Lortab. So this was our conversation.
me: I will see you tonight. Love you much of bunches.
Christine: what? much of bunches?
me: love you bunches and bunches and bunches or a lot of or much bunches. i am just silly on Lortab.
Christine: ok. ;) love you much of bunches, too
me: ciao for now.
So now we often say to each other "Love you much of bunches" and the other says back "Love you bunch of munches". (The second phrase came a few weeks later.)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Being Married
Well, my wife just wrote about being newlyweds and praised me left and right. Turn about is fair play. I told her the other day that being single for so long was well worth the wait. I remember being single and attending church and feeling sad because I wasn't dating and nothing was happening. I hated spending weekends alone and everyone telling me it was my own fault. It is starting to fade away in to memory, because well being a newlywed tends to take away those awful memories of dating life. I always remember people telling me about how they had a relative or a friend who was like 35 and then got married and he is the happiest person in the world. It was supposed to be a picker-upper - like if he can do it you can - but it never really worked. Well I have to say I am very happy that I married Christine. She has been the best thing that ever happened to me. Those years of loniness have melted away. I barely remember them. Christine is always so sweet and I love laughing and playing together. We both can't wait for our first Christmas together - and the thing I like most is that we will just be together.
Newlyweds
Let me just say that I LOVE being a newlywed.
Married life is even better than I imagined. It is so much fun being married to your best friend. I love all of the time I get to spend with Jeff. I love sharing my thoughts with him, as well as laughter and good times.
We've both been pleasantly surprised by a few things. I love how much he helps me in the kithcen. He doesn't like being in charge of the cooking, but he's happy to help out by peeling or cutting things, or doing other odd jobs that I give him.
In return, Jeff has been pleasantly surprised by my being able to cook. Apparently, I didn't cook for him very much while we were dating or engaged - there just weren't many opportunities. I remember the first time I made a Sunday roast, carrots, and potato crockpot meal for him after we were married. I felt like I was watching that scene in What About Bob when Bob is sighing and groaning in pleasure after every bite. Not to say that I'm the world's greatest cook or anything - I'm certainly still learning - but I cook more and better than Jeff was expecting. I love his support and appreciation.
Jeff and I enjoy many of the same things, such as watching TV and playing games, which we get to do on a weekly basis. I LOVE spending so much time with my best friend!
Let me just say that Jeff is WONDERFUL. So patient, kind, loving, supportive, fun to be with, and just all around a wonderful man and husband.
We have decided that we'd like to enjoy this "Honeymoon period" for ... umm, the rest of our marriage. It's our goal to make it last. I know that kids will change our family and our relationship a bit, and we don't want to be obnoxiously lovey-dovey parents that embarress our kids, but we still want to maintain an element of being newleyweds for years to come.
Married life is even better than I imagined. It is so much fun being married to your best friend. I love all of the time I get to spend with Jeff. I love sharing my thoughts with him, as well as laughter and good times.
We've both been pleasantly surprised by a few things. I love how much he helps me in the kithcen. He doesn't like being in charge of the cooking, but he's happy to help out by peeling or cutting things, or doing other odd jobs that I give him.
In return, Jeff has been pleasantly surprised by my being able to cook. Apparently, I didn't cook for him very much while we were dating or engaged - there just weren't many opportunities. I remember the first time I made a Sunday roast, carrots, and potato crockpot meal for him after we were married. I felt like I was watching that scene in What About Bob when Bob is sighing and groaning in pleasure after every bite. Not to say that I'm the world's greatest cook or anything - I'm certainly still learning - but I cook more and better than Jeff was expecting. I love his support and appreciation.
Jeff and I enjoy many of the same things, such as watching TV and playing games, which we get to do on a weekly basis. I LOVE spending so much time with my best friend!
Let me just say that Jeff is WONDERFUL. So patient, kind, loving, supportive, fun to be with, and just all around a wonderful man and husband.
We have decided that we'd like to enjoy this "Honeymoon period" for ... umm, the rest of our marriage. It's our goal to make it last. I know that kids will change our family and our relationship a bit, and we don't want to be obnoxiously lovey-dovey parents that embarress our kids, but we still want to maintain an element of being newleyweds for years to come.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Week Summary
I wasn't really sure what to blog about. This week has seemed a bit longer than usual. Most of the week went as usual. The routine where you drag yourself out of bed promising that you'll go to bed earlier and yet still you end up going to bed late. You manage to eat, shower, and get ready for work. Christine and I carpool to work because I sold my car. We take turns who has the car and who gets to ride. Work was a little stressful this week - full of work drama. I don't like to blog about work because you never know if your boss is secretly reading it - so I won't say anything negative of course. Suffice it to say that I enjoy what I do for work. We recently released a new product that we got a patent for. It is the first patent that I have ever had my name on. It is exciting.
The parties continue during the holidays too. Friday we went to a party for all the teachers where Christine works. It was fun, except I didn't really talk to anyone. We left early to go grocery shopping, because we hate driving in the snow and didn't want to go on Saturday during the storm. But, then we still had to run some errands on Saturday anyway.
Christine was tutoring my co-worker and I went shopping for Christmas presents for her. We saw that the snow was really coming down so we went home and relaxed most of the afternoon. After the snow let up, we were convinced that the snow would subside enough for us to go to the Utah Valley Bell Choir performance at the Cathedral of the Madeline downtown. This was my first time attending a bell choir that I can recall. It was really cool listening to the bells resonate off of the walls and ceilings of the Cathedral.
Today was one of those rejuvenating days. Every once in a while, the stresses of the world seem to wear you out and drag you along. You just want to get up and take control. Today, I just felt like I picked myself back up again and I am ready to conquer the world. Part of the reason I am feeling better, is that I can finally pound on the piano without pain. I had hurt my wrist playing volleyball and was sore for over two weeks. So today and yesterday I finally got to play without pain.
What's happening this week? Christmas shopping - we are way behind. I have purchased only 2 gifts so far. Another work Christmas party (my work). Tutoring, practicing for our ward Christmas program. Christine and I are singing in a quintet in Sacrament meeting as well as the choir and a women's group (Christine, not me). We are definitely looking forward to our first Christmas together and starting our family Christmas traditions.
The parties continue during the holidays too. Friday we went to a party for all the teachers where Christine works. It was fun, except I didn't really talk to anyone. We left early to go grocery shopping, because we hate driving in the snow and didn't want to go on Saturday during the storm. But, then we still had to run some errands on Saturday anyway.
Christine was tutoring my co-worker and I went shopping for Christmas presents for her. We saw that the snow was really coming down so we went home and relaxed most of the afternoon. After the snow let up, we were convinced that the snow would subside enough for us to go to the Utah Valley Bell Choir performance at the Cathedral of the Madeline downtown. This was my first time attending a bell choir that I can recall. It was really cool listening to the bells resonate off of the walls and ceilings of the Cathedral.
Today was one of those rejuvenating days. Every once in a while, the stresses of the world seem to wear you out and drag you along. You just want to get up and take control. Today, I just felt like I picked myself back up again and I am ready to conquer the world. Part of the reason I am feeling better, is that I can finally pound on the piano without pain. I had hurt my wrist playing volleyball and was sore for over two weeks. So today and yesterday I finally got to play without pain.
What's happening this week? Christmas shopping - we are way behind. I have purchased only 2 gifts so far. Another work Christmas party (my work). Tutoring, practicing for our ward Christmas program. Christine and I are singing in a quintet in Sacrament meeting as well as the choir and a women's group (Christine, not me). We are definitely looking forward to our first Christmas together and starting our family Christmas traditions.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
A Weekend of Parties
So this weekend was a weekend of Christmas parties. We went to my work party on Friday night, and we had our Ward Christmas Party on Saturday night.
My work Christmas party consisted of a catered dinner followed by a white elephant gift exchange and raffle prizes. I used the white elephant as a way to get rid of a few wedding gifts we didn't need. I figured (or at least hoped) that someone could use them.
The evening ended well. I got a yummy box of truffles, and I won a raffle prize, too. Last year I got a portable DVD player, and this year I got a Magic Bullet. I hadn't heard of it before, but it's an "as seen on TV!" high speed blender/mixer. Looks like it will be fun for mixing smoothies. I also got a pretty generous Christmas bonus, which is always nice.
Our Ward Christmas Party went well, too. A lot of our Saturday was taken up with getting ready for it, since we're the Activities Committee co-chairs. We ended up being able to have it catered, and we had just the right amount of food. About 150 came, which is how many we planned for. We ended up having extra dessert, which we took home (oh, darn!). There are definately some perks to this job.
After the dinner, we had a short musical program. Members of the ward sang or played Christmas songs on the flute or piano (including Jeff, who played his arrangement of Angels we Have Heard on High). We decided to keep it short and simple, and the ward members seemed to enjoy it. We received many compliments, which was nice. And a lot of people pitched in to help clean up, which we greatly appreciated.
So overall, we had a fun and busy weekend of Christmas parties. And I know there are more to come: Jeff's work party and a Teacher dinner. Plus, getting together with family on the actual holiday. I love Christmas!
My work Christmas party consisted of a catered dinner followed by a white elephant gift exchange and raffle prizes. I used the white elephant as a way to get rid of a few wedding gifts we didn't need. I figured (or at least hoped) that someone could use them.
The evening ended well. I got a yummy box of truffles, and I won a raffle prize, too. Last year I got a portable DVD player, and this year I got a Magic Bullet. I hadn't heard of it before, but it's an "as seen on TV!" high speed blender/mixer. Looks like it will be fun for mixing smoothies. I also got a pretty generous Christmas bonus, which is always nice.
Our Ward Christmas Party went well, too. A lot of our Saturday was taken up with getting ready for it, since we're the Activities Committee co-chairs. We ended up being able to have it catered, and we had just the right amount of food. About 150 came, which is how many we planned for. We ended up having extra dessert, which we took home (oh, darn!). There are definately some perks to this job.
After the dinner, we had a short musical program. Members of the ward sang or played Christmas songs on the flute or piano (including Jeff, who played his arrangement of Angels we Have Heard on High). We decided to keep it short and simple, and the ward members seemed to enjoy it. We received many compliments, which was nice. And a lot of people pitched in to help clean up, which we greatly appreciated.
So overall, we had a fun and busy weekend of Christmas parties. And I know there are more to come: Jeff's work party and a Teacher dinner. Plus, getting together with family on the actual holiday. I love Christmas!
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