Potential Juror

This was a great day. Ran several errands and got another hair cut/trim. At least for the time being, I'm keeping my hair short. It's neat and easy to keep clean, combed, and it looks nice. That's what I've been told, anyway.

Tomorrow I'm starting another class at the Community College. This one is Beginning Drawing and Painting and it meets in the afternoon instead of at night. I'll be taking the second Watercolor Class on Monday evenings as well. This new class, so I've been told, is based on theory put forth in the book called "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. Apparently we have to "learn how to see" and "process visual information" in our brains in order to draw. I have a copy of the book - my sister Debbie's - and started reading it this afternoon. It has her notes in it, which makes it even more special to me. I'm really looking forward to the course. The painting portion of the class is going to be working with acrylics. I've never done anything with acrylics before, and I have to admit I'm not too enthused about it. It seems like such a heavy medium, the total opposite of transparent watercolor, which really appeals to me. I did some oil painting way back in the early 70's, and I enjoyed it. I just did it on my own - no classes. I bought a few brushes, some paints, canvas, and went to it. I still have one of them - a portrait I copied of an old man, perhaps a rabbi, and I have to say I think it's pretty good! I ran across it a couple of weeks ago in the basement.

When I got home, I picked up the mail and had a surprise. I received a letter in the mail from the United States District Court saying I have been selected as a prospective juror for the U. S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Wow! I have to fill out a questionnaire, return it, and if qualified, my name may be randomly drawn sometime between July 2008 and June 2010 to serve as a juror. I once served on a jury for a week in a DUI case and found the experience to be very interesting. Especially because the prosecutor in the case was a man who was totally blind and used his computer with earphones to access and translate the information for him. However, at one point the plug was accidentally pulled out and he didn't miss a beat - continued on with the case from sheer memory. I was totally amazed at his competence and his command of so many facts and figures. The reason it went to trial and went so long, we found out afterwards, was that the woman had previous convictions for DUI, and if convicted was going to lose her license. There was no accident, she was just weaving and driving erratically and was pulled over by a state police officer. We found her guilty. Afterwards, the judge said we jurors could meet with the prosecutor to discuss the case if we cared to, and we learned that he had lost his sight because of an eye disease while he was going through law school. I would guess he was in his late 30's or early 40's at the time of the trial.

I do look forward to the opportunity to serve again on a jury. I hope my name is selected. That would be so interesting to me. Stay tuned.

PHOTO: Is this a great photo or what? It was sent with a daily newsletter I subscribe to called Dark Roasted Blend. This photo makes me laugh.