Jury Duty Random

[urbpan]

My jury (the one I'm on) is still deliberating, so I can't talk about the case at all. Here's some other items of interest (or not):

The Norfolk county court staff, without exception so far, is courteous, cheerful, and patient. A bit of a change from Suffolk County (Boston).

The juror's instruction video is narrated by a judge in a high position in the state (I forget which). She is clearly an articulate and intelligent woman who happens to have an Elmer Fudd speech impediment. Being in a room with 160 other people all keeping a straight face while thinking of "Mawwiage," or "Welease Bwian!" was weirdly entertaining.

The large courtroom where they winnowed down the potential jurors (based on criteria such as "Do you already believe that the defendant is guilty?" and "Do you have any appointments that can't be rescheduled?") happened to be the room in which the Sacco and Vanzetti trial took place.

The judge presiding on 'my' case keeps drinking from a tiki mug. It's probably just water or coffee, but it's fun to imagine that she's drinking a Mai Tai or a Bahama mama during testimony. God knows I wish I was.

There are several good options for lunch and breakfast in Dedham Square, including the High Street Grill, and Giuseppe's (which, despite its name and Italian decor appears to be run by Brazilians). Stop by if you happen to be impaneled, arraigned, indicted, or subpoenaed.

I've spent the enormous amounts of downtime reading "World War Z," which my brother (brush_rat) sent me, and which I refused to take into my house (on account of the clutter). It's pretty awesome, if you're into zombies. Now Rebecca is reading it, and loving it.

I'll tell more about the case when it's over (which will hopefully be soon).

Comments

[vampyrusgirl.livejournal.com]

We were watching Jeopardy! recently, and there was a guy with an EXTREME Elmer Fudd accent - way worse than the woman in that video, which I've seen. I cracked up every time he spoke, and John just shook his head at what a bad person I am. I don't know how Alex and the other contestants didn't crack up. I would have had to ask for a different slot, myself, since I wouldn't be able to hold it in.

[artemii.livejournal.com]

when i got called for jury duty up here in middlesex county, a woman in my jury pool told me that they've had the same juror instruction video since she first got called to jury duty in the '70s.

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

In Los Angeles, there are immigrants from Argentina who consider themselves Italian. Perhaps the restaurant is run by Brazilians who consider themselves Italian?

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

Hey, my grandparents were Germans from Russia, so I suppose there can be Italians from South America.

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

I'm doing a story on a group of Germans from Russia. It's a fascinating little chunk of history.

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

Cool. I didn't know there were many in Nevada.

[barbmg.livejournal.com]

World War Z is awesome, I agree. Max Brooks has obviously given a great deal of thought to that whole pesky Zombie situation. (see also: his Zombie Survival Manual) I've heard that the audio version is even better and that each different chapter is voiced by various pals of his dad.

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

Yes, but far too abridged. Alan Alda is particularly good, Rob Reiner, particularly bad. I had a friend at work who had the very logical criteria for a boyfriend. She would ask herself "Is this the person I would want to be with during a zombie infestation?"

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

So, someone who owned a broadsword, shotgun, pickup, and 500 gallons of gas?

[buboniclou.livejournal.com]

nothing to see here...

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

That's so funny you mention the "Mawwiage" comment...Dan's best friend was meeting with a priest yesterday for him impending nuptials and finding out if he has to convert...:P And Dan and I kept emailing him asking if the priest sounded like that, hahah! :)
You know what's really weird, the court area I deal with for papers and fingerprinting when I went was where the Scott Peterson trial was...craaaazy...
A Tiki mug? Weird...hahahaha ;)
I look forward to hearing about it soon! :)