Monday, February 10, 2003

Monday Mission: Make Mine Pepperoni 1. In the states, every citizen is expected to perform their civic duty and serve on a jury at some point. This week, I am on jury duty. Have you ever had to serve on a jury?   I was called once for jury duty and actually was part of a panel, but the lawyers excused me from serving.   2. If you were to ever serve on a jury, would you be able to give someone the death penalty?   That’s an easier question to answer in the abstract than to be actually faced with the issue. I’d like to think I wouldn’t, but I’ve already done a number of things in my life that I didn’t think I would. I guess it would depend on the circumstances.   3. One thing that concerns me about jury duty is what my life would be like if I had to convict someone. I'd always be worried about some sort of retaliation from the convict, or their family. Has fear of negative consequences ever kept you from reporting a crime or voicing your opinion?   I’ve never been in a position where I’ve had to report a crime and worry about retaliation. As far as voicing my opinion goes, my big mouth has gotten me in more trouble than I could tell you. That’s why I could never get involved in politics. I have this nasty habit of saying what’s on my mind. I’m not claiming I’m always right, but I’m not afraid to let someone know where I stand on things. It’s always gotten in the way of my career advancement.   4. When it comes to convictions, I've never even been convicted of speeding (accused yes, but heh, never convicted). Have you ever been accused of or convicted for breaking any laws? What's the real story there?   Nope.   5. It looks like I will have a lot of time on my hands this week in the jury pool. I may get called, I may not. If not, I go back tomorrow. Rinse, wash, repeat. How would you pass the time if you had to sit and wait around from 8am-5pm for 5 days?   I’ve got a stack of books about four feet high that I’ve been meaning to read.   6. One thing I do like about this "civic duty" is that it will be at the downtown courthouse. I LOVE downtown. There is just so much life there. What part of your town is your favorite to visit? Why? What makes it so special?   There really isn’t any “town” where I live. It’s just suburban sprawl split in two by a major highway. For us, town has always meant New York City. If I need to explain to you what makes that town special, you wouldn’t understand anyway.   7. I'm not that outgoing around strangers, so I doubt I will be meeting many new people this week. Do you have any problems striking up a conversation with someone you don't know? Have chance encounters with strangers ever led to interesting new relationships or opportunities?   I always have that problem. I’m an introvert in a job where I have to act as though I’m an extrovert. I put on a good act. I don’t believe in coincidence, so I don’t believe in “chance encounters.”   BONUS: So if I tell you that you're really something baby, will you stay or will you go away?   I’d probably stay. Blame it on inertia. 10:08:45 PM    Go Ahead, make my day  []