Cold Wind Blowing
26 February 2007 - 16:50.
I was feeling cold this afternoon as I was walking home. Not sure why exactly.
It wasn't the head cold I'd caught from Tanya at her wine tasting over the weekend. Yes, I'm blaming her for the cold that's slowly enveloping me (It's not personal Tan). I'm fairly certain I got infected at your place. But I doubt it wasn't from the wine... the wine was yummy, and flowing freely, and of course that much alcohol can only serve to kill germs, right? That's the theory I remember from school... alcohol kills germs.
I know the cold feeling had nothing to do with being at Sue and Artos's on Saturday either. I was there for a Roman themed evening of intrigue, and quite opposite to the idea of cold, their new home has a delightfully warm feel to it. Very good times, and a wonderful way of legitimizing a toga party.
I'm not sure what the cause of the chill feeling was, but I know it's not from a lack of friends. Events in my life recently have reminded me of how lucky I am to have really good friends.
Thanks everyone.
Pass The Chips
24 February 2007 - 09:23.
Of course, I'm not allowed to provide details of the trial at this point (and I won't ever, on this blog), and it's strictly verboten to talk about deliberations, ever. Fortunately, we're not deliberating yet, so I can talk about this one.....
The other day we're in our room, and essentially split into 2 groups: those of us that are a bit more on the white collar side at one end of the table, the blue collar types at the other end. They're (the blue collar types) arguing with each other over evidence that's been heard (which we're technically not supposed to do until it's time to deliberate), and we're playing Texas Hold 'Em. It got particularly loud in that small room, and with much arm waving and gesturing I'm surprised no one lost an eye.
And all could think of was... "Damn... I'm glad I'm at this end of the table". But I lost the poker game.
Go to the box
20 February 2007 - 17:43.
More observations on the court process...
I understand that part of the job of defense counsel is to do their best to discredit prosecution's witnesses. I understand that if they can get the witness to state, on the stand and under oath, two different versions of the same series of events, that this is considered a moral and sometimes a legal victory.
But do you, Mr. or Mrs. Lawyer, understand the frustration that we jurors go through? Do you understand that your persistence is annoying to us? Do you get that we're not stupid and that we can in fact understand the ideas you're putting forward?
I feel like showing up in court with a striped shirt and a whistle. And the next time you get a case of verbal diarrhoea, I want to stand up, blow the whistle, and penalize you 2 minutes for delay of game. Bad lawyer! No cross-examination for you!
Seen Downtown
18 February 2007 - 11:51.
More on Courts
15 February 2007 - 18:35.
There's a small number of you who know that at one point I was in school with an aim to becoming a lwyer. And as this week in court nears it's end all I can say is... thank God I didn't. (Yes, mother, I realize you've got 2 law degrees and that you used to argue cases... no offense intended.)
The way these lawyers are going, we'll be in court for about 4 months or so. They've managed to take the word 'tedious' and redefine it for generations to come. I'm ready to shoot myself for the boredom of it. At least the self-mutilation would be a diversion.
Group Outing?
13 February 2007 - 20:00.
My friend Matt and I are planning on getting a group of people together to go see the Vancouver Giants play on February 23rd. It's a Friday night game against the stinking-rotten-no-good-oughta-be-thrown-out-of-the-WHL Everett Silvertips. We're probably going to go for good seats as opposed to cheap, which means that they'll cost a whopping $20 (tough, eh?), unless we get 15 people in which case the tickets are $16 or something.
Anyone want to join us? So far, we've got at least 5 of us, and likely 6. The more the merrier... comment or email me directly if you want in.
Too Much Time
08 February 2007 - 08:44.
To quote some lyrics from the eighties....
Is it any wonder Im not crazy? is it any wonder Im sane at all
Well Im so tired of losing- I got nothing to do and all day to do it
And so with that in mind, I bring you my stupid internet discovery of the day... Extreme Ironing!!
Yes folks, there is actually an organization dedicated to the pursuit of ironing clothing in extreme locations or circumstances. Either someone is crazy like a fox for creating a new niche, or they're just crazy. Mind you, what does that say about me for having found this link in the first place.....
Le Sigh
07 February 2007 - 18:28.
Being locked in a small room, unable to do very much, is a remarkably similar to being incarcerated. We have limited movement, limited access to the bathrooms, and we even have our own guard. The only thing missing is the bars on the window. Not that I'd want to go out that way... we're several floors up.
Let the disillusionment begin in earnest.
Dutiful
04 February 2007 - 13:17.
Remember when I mentioned about jury duty a couple weeks ago? Guess what I got selected for?
Since the trial is not a murder or anything, it shouldn't be too bad really. My work will continue to pay my salary (less the court-provided daily stipend), and I can walk to the courthouse so I'll actually save some money on fuel expense. The hours are pretty good and I should be able to at least a little bit of work from home before and after court.
Even though the court system here is a matter of public record, I'm going to refrain from providing any details about the case, lest someone do an internet search and be able to find this site (and thus identify me, if you know how to do those things). I'm also not allowed to talk about what goes on behind closed doors during deliberation. But I am allowed to offer impressions of the court system, which I'm sure to do.
Also, it's kinda cool to be taking part in the process, now that I'm in chin deep. The jury selection process was slightly more engrossing than watching sea urchins racing, but only slightly. The arraignment judge seemed pretty cranky though, and was challenging people's reasons for asking to be excused - he did with me as well. I think he was upset by the fact that with all the trials they needed juries for, there was a distressing number of people who suddenly had to go out of town. My favourite excuse given for wanting to be excused from jury duty? Someone told the judge "I have personal and ethical difficulties with lawyers and judges".
The person was excused.
More On Music
01 February 2007 - 19:08.
A while ago I wrote about needing some changes in my musical world, and in return I got some great feedback. I started with Jen's suggestion of the Pandora website, and implemented Andrew's suggestion of Sting. Plus I did a little digging and browsing of my own, and I came up with some interesting stuff.
There's a very small number of subscription based services that I would pay for, but Pandora is one of them. The interface is useful and intuitive, the selection of music is excellent, and I've come across music and artists I've never heard of before. For example, if you use Pandora to create a station based on Sting's music you come up with some fascinating stuff. Obscure, but fascinating.
And there's a trend I'm noticing in the way some of my musical tastes are leaning... I seem to be moving away from the over-produced music that was so prevalent in the 90's and early part of the 00's. And during some unrelated web surfing I came across a local artist who has a sound I really enjoy, mostly because of it's simplicity. I've always had a fondness for piano, and Piper McKinnon's music fits my bill quite nicely. I actually ended up seeing her play at the Yale a short while back, and I can tell you that she's much better live than recorded.
Thanks very much folks... music has always made me feel better, and you all helped me remember that fact, as well as do something about it.