Blog

I had the privilege to serve my state and country today. I was the recipient of the honor of jury duty. Now, you all may be sensing a bit of cynicism here. After experiencing the process, I can say, it’s only from what I’d heard, not from personal experience. After today, I actually have a higher regard for the legal process, but still see opportunities for improvement.

In the state of Indiana, potential and selected jurors are paid for their time and mileage, albeit nothing to get rich over. In my opinion this should not be the case. A person’s employer should be required to pay someone’s normal salary if they are chosen for jury duty, to me, it’s the same as if someone were called up from reserves. You might then also get people who are more interested in serving, than it just getting in-n-out with as little pain as possible.

My first impression after hearing the initial details of the case was, “Why is this even going to court?” Guess that opinion alone would have gotten me out of being selected, that is until I heard the further explanation of the due process of law. See, my thought is this, guy’s driving his car, ends up killing one person while actually trying to kill another. Then 2nd defendant was charged with lying to police and saying defendant #1 wasn’t in their house, when he actually was and she knew it. What needs to be discussed? AHA!! I was forgetting one crucial part of the process that I would like to have on my side in the event I was accused of something, INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY! I know, I know, elementary, should have thought of it myself.

This is getting long, so I’ll cut it short. The other interesting aspect that I’ve always heard, but haven’t truly thought in depth about is the “beyond reasonable doubt” clause. There was alot of time spent on defining “reasonable” by the lawyers. Interesting discussion, I’m actually looking forward to my next summons! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!

Well, been almost two weeks since my last post. You’d think I’d have more to say than that. Guess it’s a problem with having more time to say it, than actually saying it. Been out of town most of this week to California on business. You know when I was a travel agent, I used to hear travelers complain all the time about their travel and blah-blah-blah. I used to think, “Yeah, so get a new job.”

I’m traveling more, and I enjoy the travel more than the being away. My wife keeps saying it’s like I get a vacation every now and then they she never gets. I agree, it is a nice break, and I normally really enjoy the alone time. However, it’s really not all that fun. I’ve discovered that eating by myself is probably one of the most isolated feelings I can have. Just absolutely no fun. What’s also weird is that when I’m home, I’d just love to forget all of my responsibilities and things that need to get done and go to bed. Yet, when I’m on the road and have nothing to do, I still find myself staying up and watching TV. Why is that?

Still got a bit of jet lag. Whenever I go to California, I always return on the red-eye flight at midnight through Chicago. Aside from being forced to spend way too much time sitting at the airport waiting on my flight, it’s really not that bad. Would be even better though without the layover in Chicago. You want to sleep, but you don’t really want to let yourself fall asleep in the airport. So, I’m pretty tired when I get home, and usually don’t let myself go to bed. Just keep working through the day as normal.

Later folks,

My wife and I like the show on TLC called "Clean Sweep". Guess we enjoy the thought of janitorial services coming in and cleaning your house for you. However, we have both commented that the "before" shots of these people's houses have to be somewhat staged.

Have you seen these rooms in the beginning? Now I've seen some cluttered rooms in people's houses, but not to this extent. I've seen one room that would come close, it's in my grandmother's house. But it's not "lived" in, it's basically a giant closet to begin with. I'm not doubting that some people live in extremely cluttered homes, but these are the type of people (in my opinion) that would not be the type to call up TLC and ask to be on the show.

I'm thinking Clean Sweep comes in and says, "Yeah, you need some help" but we need to show a real change." Kind of like the weight loss shots, sure the guy/gal is fat, but they're also slouching and pooching their stomach out.

But that's just my $0.02. I'll give you change back when I find a penny.