My life as a juror - Day One

Here's some writing I did while doing my civil duty -

Damn, I forgot all my quarters. I could have filled up on vending machine junk all day - that would have been fun! I could have been that girl that keeps getting up to go to the vending machine all day.

I found $1.50 in quarters - I can't read the sign from here but doubt that would even get me a soda & a snack (heck maybe not even a soda these days!). Guess I will just eat the lunch Stephen packed.

On a positive note I did snag the row with extended leg room & unlike an airlines the NY court system isn't making me pay extra for it - Sa-weet!

They have started the video to teach us about the good we are doing here today. Guess they started the wrong one... Now this is quality acting. I suppose Ed Bradley narrating it makes it more legit.

The lady making the announcements should be a stand up comedienne - perfect deadpan delivery.

I'm sure I look like a crazy person - I have aleady caught myself humming to a song out loud & just now I pratically jumped out of my seat dancing to Gypsy Kings! Ohhhh - now Nelly is rapping...I'm gonna turn this place into a dance party!

11:40 a.m. - Two civil case selections and my name wasn't called for either one of them.

Do you ever crave certain things? What a silly question of course the answer is yes! Right now I find myself craving a Diet Snapple Lemonade Ice Tea & a bag of Peanut M&Ms. Of course they have neither in the vending machine.

(Sidenote: There are NO good pictures of Diet Snapple Lemonade Iced Tea, however, this is the only Snapple I drink & the one I was craving, so please use your imagination when looking at the picture above!)

--and that's where my IPOD died.

The second day was spent reading my book (Gods of Alabama - definitely worth a read). I was never picked for a trial (never even asked to sit in during an interview process)...normally I would have a complex about not being picked, but the Ed Bradley narrated charm of a video taught me that it is nothing personal - just a random drawing!

So there you have it (in case you wanted it) - my thoughts as a civil servant...seems like they are better off that I won't serve for at least 6 more years!

Have a Heart, Give a Heart

Sam Savage is a man of many stories. His life has been filled with so much exciting stuff - from drag racing on Cherry Hill to owning his own business to dancing in the streets. I love to sit and listen to all the funny and often crazy stories he has experienced in his life.

Sammy has loved and laughed and lived! He is a fun person to be around that knows how to get the party started.

When Sam and my Mom were married I was twelve years old, and for any of you who have ever dealt with or been a teenage girl you know what kind of special person it takes to sign up for the job of dad at that time.  But that's exactly what Sam did.

For the past 17 years he has taught, disciplined, and loved me.  Alongside my mom, Sam helped mold me into what I have become today.

Sam still has a ton of life to live and joy to give, but now Sam needs a heart.

I don't want this to be a soapbox letter - I just know for me personally it took someone I love needing a transplant for me to send in my organ donor registration. My thought is if knowing a person that was affected by organ donation inspired even one person to send in their donation registration then that could be more lives saved.

It is the easiest thing I have ever done. Go to www.organdonor.gov and find your state website. Just fill out the paperwork and send it in. Of course, you can also choose to donate when you renew you drivers license.