Doing my civic duty -- jury duty

I received a notice for jury duty & dutifully arrived at 730 a.m. (that’s in the morning).  Everyone had to go through security, much like TSA at the airport, but I got through w/o being “wanded”.  The courthouse has Wi-Fi that is available in the jury service area so I brought Bleu Shiba to do homework, watch Netflix, play games, and generally pass the time.  I located a table next to an electrical outlet and set up my work space.  At 8 a.m., the clerk assembled all of us for orientation after the Pledge of Allegiance and being sworn in.  The cases could be felony, lasting 1-3 days; county, 1 or 2 days; or civil, which last longer, 1-3 weeks.  The clerk asked 7 questions and if any jurors felt they might be exempted they could present their case.  The 7 questions: (1) Ever convicted of a felony or under prosecution, (2) a judge, (3) law enforcement officer, (4) have to be 18 or over, (5) citizen of FL, (6) reside in Osceola County, or (7) have a FL DL or ID.

Orientation:

Instructions in case of evacuation. – Free coffee & tea, vending, restroom, fridge, micro. – Cyber café, games, magazines, TV.  – Free Wi-Fi,  -- Do not access social network or the news while on site.  – Turn phone off in courtroom but you can use them in the assembly area.  – Verification forms provided for employer after providing pic ID.  – Park in long-term parking or you can get ticketed.  – If you have a medical condition, inform the judge.  – Smoke breaks when needed but take no longer than 10 minutes & sign in/out.  – Lunch around noon.  – If you have a language barrier, inform the judge.  – You will be here all day, usually until 5 p.m. unless a judge needs jurors to remain longer.

It is almost 1:44.  Only 1 judge is on-site & no jurors have been called…..yet.

I’m reliving the X-Files so the day isn’t wasted!  The truth is out there!

Dissertation

I finally passed the comps and I'm starting the dissertation for the general psychology PhD.  I am VERY excited!  I started this program in 2008 and would like to finish before I start getting social security, which won't be long.  There are 16 hOOps, I mean milestones, to complete beginning with completing the ethics module.

When I began this venture, there were several people that told me this would not get me anywhere, what are you going to do with a doctorate?  My reply:  I'm doing this for me...it keeps my brain from turning completing into mush.  It has not been easy as I've had to take 3 classes a second time, but I finally got through them.

I'm planning on doing a qualitative study looking at the experience of having a sense of humor on self-esteem, well-being, and quality of life for adults over 55.  You might be hearing from me to complete a survey or be interviewed...if you meet the criteria.

Wish me luck!!!  Like I said, I'm VERY excited!

Transcribed vmails

I typed these verbatim as they were transcribed in vmail...not what was actually said, I'm sure.

“I’m calling to check on your c.pap bro bye pat therapy and need please call our toll free patient care service at _____ when you have a minute though we can track how you’re doing the call should only take 2 minutes of your time and it is designed to help us better care for you. Call anytime day or night thanks for choosing freak central and have a nice day.”

“Refined and we’re selected today please press 12 speak to a chris socialist or press 22 decline this offer and be added to our do not call list press 1 now.”

“Who’s calling…morris’s son in that message I like the other message just calling to see how you should hi you ill talk to you later bye.

“Hey it’s me I was calling to see how you’re vacation went anyway I’m on my way and I don’t think I might have to get us some coffee I think we’re love to ask you when I see you bye.”

“Hey I was just calling to see if your mom’s still living or if the creeping fro it still has you anyway I’m in the car driving as usual talk to you later bye.”

“Hey it’s me I was just calling to make sure you’re aware you were okay I didn’t know if you went to the doctor something this afternoon so I’m just checking on you talk to you later bye.”

“Hey it’s me I was just calling to see … if your company I’m here I just wanted to questions all right talk to you later bye.”

“Mother hello there hello then call me back bye.”

Alice’s Wonderland

I had a lot of time to think, while driving from Alabama back to central Florida, and decided I want to begin a blog.  There is much info, from the past that needs to be told, so I’ll be playing ketchup.  Now lettuce begin…..

I worked New Year’s Eve until it was party time, at Laurie’s, with Leslie and Susan.  When I arrived the hostess presented me with a new hat, small blue hat that lights up.  It was quite fetching!  We started eating around 730 and discussing what games we were going to attempt.  We started with Bella’s HeadBandz, which is really fancy charades.  Next was a new game, Baloney, which teaches the players to lie…I have a saying, “Lie and stick with it”, so this game was right up my alley.  Learning a new game can be confusing and tedious but we eventually made it through a round.  Another new game we had was Beezer Wizzer which I have had since last year but never opened; therefore, never played.  We played in teams trying to answer trivia.  I am not good at answering trivia but that does not stop me from trying.  And then on to another fun game of Scattergories.  I really like this one, not good at it either.  By this time, we had consumed mass quantities of delicious goodies and it was barely 1030.  We still had another hour and a ½ to enjoy munchies and play wild and wacky games.  Laurie decided to take a break and Susan joined her but Leslie, Bella, and I weren’t done yet…a round or 2 of Apples to Apples was up next. 

About 1145, we began watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve show on TV.  At midnight, we blew our horns loudly and proudly.  My horn sounded like a wounded walrus.  Bella burned a few Sparklers and I burned one with her.  I like the fireworks that you throw on the ground or stomp on.  We didn’t have those.

In the past, I usually leave about 5 minutes after the ball drops and in Times Square, too.  Tonight was different, even though Laurie was yawning and talking about how tired she was.  Leslie, Susan, and I didn’t make a move to leave until almost 130…a.m.  I had to drive home (50 minutes) and there were many cars on the road.  Where is everyone going?  I got home and could not sleep…all night…until 5 a.m.

I came in to work today and took down the Christmas decorations for another year.  I’m catching up on Sherlock, quite entertaining. 

I’m still eating some of the goodies from last night’s festivities. 

Well, this is it the first installment in Alice’s Wonderland.  Be careful going down the rabbit hole……