I got called up to report for Federal Grand Jury service, which was today. Being on a regular jury does not excuse you, and they're pretty strict about excusing you on the form, so in I went.

This one's in Boston, on the waterfront. I decided to take the commuter rail into town (first time!) since it goes to South Station, a couple of blocks from the courthouse. And then I got lost, because the Google directions I had sucked. Got there a little late, but I wasn't the last to arrive. I am usually on time or early, so that was a little stressful! At least it wasn't raining today like it was yesterday.

I got a form to fill out, and a groovy pin.



We weren't allowed to bring any electronics, so no phone or iPod. At least I have a great new book to read (Lev Grossman's THE MAGICIAN'S LAND) so I didn't have to sit there twiddling my thumbs. We also weren't allowed to bring any food, but they had coffee, juice, and soda, so I grabbed a bottle of Ruby Red Grapefruit and sat to wait.

There were over a hundred prospective jurors, but the dude in charge said they needed 23 jurors, 15 alternates, and 10 alternates for a different Grand Jury which had used up all of theirs, so chances were about 50/50 for each of us.

He gave us the talk, answered questions, and showed us the video. After a bathroom break, we all headed upstairs to the courtroom for empaneling. He called out each person's name, and we got in line. I was third from last, so I knew chances were pretty good I wouldn't get chosen. The guy sitting next to me was keeping track, and there were two rows of people to go when they were choosing the final few so we knew we were in the clear. The judge let about half the people who said they had a hardship or other reason for not serving go, which I found surprising.

The Federal courthouse and courtrooms are a lot nicer than the district courts, but they sat us on wooden benches which were uncomfortable after a while.

When we walked out of the courthouse, there was a bank of TV cameras and reporters on the sidewalk. Something big was going down there today! I'll have to watch the news to see what it was.

It was noon exactly when I got back to South Station, and wonder of wonders, there was a train leaving at 12:05! I found the right track, and climbed aboard. I do love trains; I wish our rail system was better in this country. I'd love to take the Acela sometime (which we passed on the way in). Trains are so much nicer than buses. Most things are so much nicer than buses. ;)

I was really bumming that I couldn't have my camera with me, because I was right in the heart of the waterfront, and the weather was perfect. We saw lots of boats go by, including a whale watch and a gorgeous tall sailboat. I'd forgotten how much I love downtown Boston. I used to work a couple blocks from South Station, back in the early 90's. Full of bustle and tall, shiny buildings, boats, cafés, museums, and history. I really need to go spend a day wandering around town, this time with my camera.

I'm really relieved I don't have to serve. While I'm sure it's very interesting, the jury they were picking today was for healthcare fraud, which sounds rather tedious. And it's one day a week for eighteen months, which I don't think I could deal with. They said it's usually not every week, but it could be. Ouch.

But I did have an adventure today, and it was interesting.

I got sprung from jury duty around 11:30, so I wandered around downtown Springfield and took a bunch of pictures. With the assistance of a helpful cop, I finally found the Quad, where they have a sculpture honoring Dr. Suess, who was born in Springfield (what the guidebooks fail to mention is he got the heck out of here as soon as he could and never came back).

( downtown )

Then I came home, had some lunch, changed, and went to the park. Those pix will be coming along; I only have so much patience for wrestling with iPhoto. Dinner break time. :)

I also took some movies at the park, of the geese, ducks, and swan. Those will be up sometime tomorrow.

*****

I knew I would probably not get impaneled on a jury, since my number was 100. I sat in on one impaneling, which was for a criminal trial. Some kid who was caught selling cocaine in a school zone. The courtrooms always look smaller in person than they do on TV! The judge was an attractive, fifty-something African-American woman who looked like she could be Michelle Obama's older sister. It was interesting to watch her, especially as she talked to the people who were trying to get out of serving. She dismissed a surprising number of them. Everyone was very nice, and thanked us for being there. I'm glad I got out early, but it was an interesting experience.

I called the courthouse today, and I do have to go to jury duty tomorrow. It's not so much that I mind serving, but it's going to be a gorgeous day tomorrow, and if I have to spend all of it in the courthouse I will not be a happy kitty.

My best hope is that it turns out as it usually does, and I get to leave at lunchtime. Then I can walk around downtown Springfield and take pictures. In all the years I've lived here, I've never really explored downtown.

I had another good sales day today, despite the fact that I was alone all day and couldn't make as many calls as I'd have liked.

I wrote another piece at lunchtime that needs to be inserted somewhere in the story. It doesn't really move the story along, and may not make the final cut, but I like it. There are cupcakes involved. *g*