Just your average civic duty

Jury Duty summons. Dun dun dun. I've been putting off Jury Duty since last summer. So this time really was the last time I could postpone my summons. Supreme Court of NY. Super importante. Is it odd that I was looking forward to serving?

Somehow participating in Jury Duty makes me feel like a real adult, like a legit contributing member of society. It's like registering to vote. And actually voting. Paying your for your own health insurance. Signing your first apartment lease. Buying your own car. (not that I would know what that feels like but I imagine it's along the same lines as the others.)

Also, I was fairly certain that serving in NY would be more interesting than in other cities because, well, because a) it's New York and b) there are all kinds of crazy characters here. Prime for people watching. I do wish that I had more exciting stories to share. Jury Duty mostly consists of sitting around waiting. And more waiting. I didn't even overhear any outrageous stories or an exchange of phone numbers. And I didn't really make any friends either. (not for lack of trying!) Sigh.

A few key takeaways from my 2-day civic duty extravaganza:

-- The room of nothingness. Where I spent approximately 7 hours sitting and waiting to be called to a selection courtroom. (ohsothankful for the free wi-fi!)

-- People will say anything to get out of jury selection. Some of my favorites include...

"I don't speak English. How long have you lived in NY? 15 years. Oh, you'll be ok. Sit down."
"I don't trust the police."
"I am deaf in my right ear."
"I'm a physician and I have patients scheduled next week."
"I am leaving next week for my bachelor party."
"I have stage fright."
Really, stage fright?! What does stage fright have to do with anything?

-- There is no AC in the old court buildings in lower Manhattan. Note to NY residents: don't serve in the summer, it's real hot and kinda miserable...except for the time you spend in the courtroom.

-- There is no formal dress code for Jury Duty. But does this mean it's acceptable to display your cleavage to the judge and entire room of potential jurors? Um, ridiculously inappropriate. And laughable.

-- The government public access wi-fi blocks blogger. So there is no blog reading or blogging from the room of nothingness.

-- 2 hour lunches. Really.