Today is such a fine day. I get to go to jury duty. Better yet, they are sending me to Vallejo. Which is 20 miles past Fairfield where there is also jury duty. So I get to drive even farther in order to waste my time. Justice is not convenient. Nor is it accessible to most. Not is it justice.
I had to get up early because I still have duties to attend to here. I need to feed the dogs, feed the cats, feed the wife breakfast and lunch. And make coffee. All the usual stuff. So up early and off to Vallejo.
Vallejo. Why the hell do they want me in Vallejo? Fairfield, the county seat, and a much bigger courthouse is only 20 miles away. And they send me 40 miles to Vallejo. Assholes.
The drive was nice with little traffic. The calm before the storm. When I arrived I found there was ample free parking. I parked and went thru security, damn near strip searched, and went to the jury room. I checked in and sat down to wait. What a waste of time. I decided to read my book. I ignored everything around me. The lady in charge got up and talked, I ignored her BS. They showed a 20 min video on jury service, I ignored that too. It makes no difference. They will call you by name when ready. Then they will tell you everything you need to know all over again. I hate this.
So I kept reading. And ignoring my surroundings. It keeps me centered. Eventually they split us into two groups. Group one and two. One went to the courtroom, two sat on their asses doing nothing in the jury room. I was put in group one and went to the courtroom.
So if you have never done this, it’s not much fun. It’s very repetitive and very boring. I wanted to read my book but figured that would be a really poor choice. In the courtroom you are supposed to pay attention. So I did. Or at least looked like I did. The gal next to me was coughing and sneezing. She apologized for having a cold. Great. Of course, the judge does not care if you are dying. As long as you have no bias.
I was placed in the jury box with 18 of my friends. Hey, a quick aside, have I ever mentioned my view of prosecutors? Probably not. Let’s visit that. Prosecutors are liars and cheats. Their only reason to live is to put people in jail. Innocent, guilty, just walking by, they don’t care. Just want to “win”. I have a problem with that. The only reason prosecutors have the job is because the rendering plant won’t take them. Back to court. So, I’m in the jury box. The judge began the questioning. Directed toward today’s case. Not a criminal case. The defendant was committed to a hospital against his will. This trial was to determine whether he stays in or gets out. So judge asked first, of each juror, please tell me about yourself. Then he asked the juror, about their mental health connections and have they ever been locked up, or treated for mental issues, etc. has their family ever and on and on. 18 times. Then it was my turn. He started questioning me. “Tell me about yourself”. I responded, “I live in Dixon”, I gave nothing. He seemed to expect more. I made the judge work. “Do you live alone” judge says, I said, no. No give. Who do you live with? I said, my wife. He asked several questions, because he had to. Then he got into questions on mental health, as with prior jurors. He asked me if I could be unbiased and I said definitely not. Then I told him exactly how I felt about prosecutors and ended my comments with “all prosecutors should rot in hell”. He said I could have a seat. Did not realize I was up. I sat down.
Next part, the prosecutor got up and questioned each person separately in order. She got to me. Last. Her first question, “so your comment about prosecutors, explain it”. So I told her why I felt as I did about prosecutors and said again all prosecutors should rot in hell and I specifically included her in that. She let me sit down.
Next up defense. He questioned everyone, but not me. Go figure.
Then the lawyers huddled with the judge. The lawyers sat. Then the judge said Mr Vivier you are excused. Guess I am too smart for jury duty. And too good looking by my view.
So I am out of jury duty. I turn in my badge and go. Only four hours of my life I will never get back. But at least I am now on my way home It’s noon. And I am off jury duty for at least one year. I am moving soon so I may not get picked for another few years. I doubt the system will change. Or improve.
I went home and picked up my cell phone. I had forgotten it on my way out the door this am. I watered the dogs while home.
Went to work and dove in. I have a lot of tax returns to finish up before the 15th. And the usual other crap as well. I need a new job. I also have to help my dad with the home he will be building, by finding a contractor and architect. And a million other things. Will be fun. No. Will be lots of work. Yes
Today was slow. But packed with work. First day back means lots of admin. The day did not disappoint. I believe I did not do any work that I get paid for. Just the usual management garbage.
I fought through all the paperwork including office payroll and A/R and the mail. Answered and made many phone calls. Saw at least one client who was here to discuss his unpaid bill. That’s a fine conversation if it leads to me getting paid. Either way, constant work till 6pm and out the door.
Marika was home when I got there. She has a dr appt tomorrow and is spending the night to make it a little easier to get there early Tuesday. Emily made dinner, probably a little better than usual because the kid was home. I benefit so I don’t complain. She has a new job at a winery and brought home a couple bottles for us. Employee benefits for us! And I don’t even have to work there. Awesome. The Pinot was fabulous. Went well with the adobo choke chicken that Emily created. Quite spicy I think. We managed to choke down some of my birthday ice cream cake for dessert. All in all, nice day (forget court), nice dinner, nice to see the prodigal daughter.