Hung Jury

After nearly a month of trial and 3 days of deliberations, we the jury could not come to a conclusion. I am extremely saddened that this experience ended this way. These people waited 4 years to get this case to court and they still don't have a resolution. The wind has been knocked out of my sails and I feel burned out and just plain sad. When one of the lawyers said, "Thank you for trying," that was it for me. I couldn't exit that courtroom fast enough, my eyes just filled up in an instant.

This experience was so interesting to me, as you've read. I looked forward to coming everyday until we reached deliberations. Things got ugly and tense right away. The only positive thing I can say about the outcome (or lack thereof) is that everyone truly stuck to their guns. No one was willing to waver from their beliefs. At least both sides of this case can know that we battled until the bitter end and really gave this a great deal of thought and effort. They didn't get a jury that was willing to just do whatever needed to be done to get the heck outta there. We wanted to do what was right.

I can't help but think however, about the fact that they have to go through this process all over again. I'd love to know what the new jury thinks. I wonder if I'll ever know.

Tags: life, law

Juror #3

That's me. Juror #3. And this has been my home away from home for the last 2 weeks-
You guessed it, I'm on jury duty. And I have to be honest. I'm loving it! In fact, I will even go so far as to say that I will miss it when it ends. I'm sure my boss won't. I feel like being a juror IS my job. I have pretty much the same hours, same lunch break, similar commute length. But the pay is definitely not the same. As a juror, we get paid $5 a day. Fortunately, I hope, my real job will pay me for performing my civic duty. I always knew I'd like jury duty and I was right. It's just so exciting! And I have the best seat in the house! All the sidebars, objections, and evidence! To be a part of all this is really incredible. Along with it however comes a major responsibility. This trial was years and many dollars in the making. And many more dollars are on the line. I have been taking copious notes - 45 pages so far. I want to be 100% sure when deliberation time comes that I'm making the right decision. The trial will probably end in a week or so and I'll return to my normal life. I hope to stay in touch with some of the jurors, we've already become like a little family. So many different ages and personalities thrown together by chance. I've learned a lot from them and this experience as a whole. So should you get that dreaded jury duty notice in the mail, look at is as an opportunity to learn new things, meet new people, and to make a difference. I have enjoyed this more than most of the classes I took in college!

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The End of an Era

Well here it is, 2008. Gone is the year of our wedding. Wow.

2007 brought many changes - an end to singlehood, a new job, a new car, and a new kitten. Can't ask for anything more that in a single year. It's amazing how quickly it went too.

This year, I vow to have a healthier lifestyle. This goes for Jay too ;-) Of course my kitchen is packed with snacks and cookies from holiday parties right now, so there will be a slight delay. I can't afford to just throw it away, but we'll consume it in moderation so it won't be so bad. I'm feeling very motivated right now and I've been planning this for weeks. I have lots of good ideas running around in my head. I also spend a great deal of time on a particular message board, so I know I have a lot of support from those gals too.

Here's to you all, a Happy 2008! Oh and congrats to Jay's cousin Jodi and her new husband Nick. We just found out last night that they are expecting!!! Oh and Diana & Drew, (Jersey Girl in Chicago,) it's YOUR wedding year now! Time is going to fly!!

 

 

Tags: family, life, love, health, friends

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I'm Still Here

I haven't posted in a while so here goes. I'm warning you, I will be rambling.

So what's new with me? Not too much. Christmas is nearing and I'm almost done with shopping. I'm not going overboard with spending this year, I just can't. I don't know what it is but I just don't have as much expendable money as I used to. I often feel like I should get a second job, but my schedule albeit it better than it used to be, still isn't constant. Occasionally there are school events at night or on Saturdays which would interfere with most part-time gigs. I'd really like to build up a collection of homemade crafts to sell at local craft fairs. I enjoy making things and it would be a bonus to make some extra money on the side. I already have some great ideas. Things that people might actually be interested in buying!

In other news, I have rejoined my local theater group - The Bergen County Players. While I have not done anything with them just yet, except pay dues, I will soon. I auditioned for a show about a month ago, but didn't get in. It's just as well, I'd like to get my backstage requirements for the year overwith early. That is what did me in the last time. The first year as an associate member there are a specific number of work days and backstage assignments you must complete. Once this trial year is over, you can get voted into regular membership. That is my goal. So maybe in the fall of 2008, I'll  be hitting the stage again as a performer. Stay tuned.

My sister-in-law Randi got engaged last Friday in front of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree! I'm, soooo happy for her!! Congratulations Randi & Jim! Randi has already "hired" me as her wedding coordinator. Here we go again!

 

Tags: life, christmas, acting, family

Lost Dog

On Sunday night, Jay and I were driving down our street, almost home when we saw this small dog running past us in the middle of the road. It was pretty late so luckily not a lot of cars around. I immediately reached for the door as we were slowing towards a light and told Jay I wanted to get out and help it. He said I'd never catch up to it - it was going to fast, and he also pointed out that it seemed like there was a car already following it. I looked back and saw it was and it turned down a side-street with the dog. So home we went.

Yesterday morning, there are flyers all up and down the street with a picture of the dog we saw. It reads, "LOST DOG- Kids devastated." My heart sank when I read that and right now, I just want to cry. We could've helped.

My mom's dachshund ran away twice and thanks to the kindness of strangers he was found both times quickly. Here was my chance to return the favor. I prayed for the dog's safe return last night. So sad :-(

Tags: life, dogs

Happy Brithday to Me...

....and Britney Spears! What a claim to fame!

 

Tags: life, birthday

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What a Difference 10 Years Makes

Last night was quite a fun and interesting night. It was the night of my high school class's 10 year reunion. I along with my former classmate Gary planned the event from start to finish and it couldn't have turned out better I'm proud to report.

 

We knew from the get-go that even though we were a small graduating class of only 66, it would be challenging to get everyone together. Luckily, through the law of six degrees of separation, we were able to track down about 2/3 of the class. We utilized sites like MySpace, Friendster, Facebook and good ol' networking to obtain email address so I could send out an Evite. Can't beat technology I tell ya. I even emailed some old teachers who were all touched to be thought of but, unfortunately, none made it out. Perhaps they were skeptical as was I that this would actually happen. But it did, and it was great.

 

Our class was one for the record books. The Park Ridge High School class of 1997 didn't have the most gleaming reputation and rightly so. We had a bomb scare, made teachers cry and threw stools, books, and reams of paper out of the front windows on the second floor. I of course did not partake in any of these antics myself, but we were all in it together. Looking back, it was fun, stupid, and nothing short of memorable.

 

A lot's happened in 10 years it seems. Everyone's either married or engaged. Some have children or are expecting. Some are doctors, some own their own business, and many now teach themselves!

 

While I wasn't the most popular and I wasn't the least. I was picked on by the "cool kids" often enough that it stung. But last night, it felt like we were all on a level playing field and there were no grudges. I thinkit took 10 years for everyone to grow up and learn how to be respectful. It's so much nicer to be nice than to be outright cruel.

 

Apparently, one fellow classmate has yet to grow up. Probably the worst offender of bullying, "the" bad-ass of the grade is still the same. He showed up last night and old fearful memories returned as he looked exactly the same to me. However, he did not stay long. The manager told him to get out and that he was not allowed there. Wow. I have to say, I relished that moment. He got his come-uppance. The sympathetic side of me feels sad for him though. It's a shame that 10 years later, nothing's changed for the positive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Close to hell and far from heaven, we're the class of '97!" -our senior year pep rally chant!

 

 

 

 

Tags: life, school, friends