Friday, February 29, 2008
Here's a great video of Jack and James Brown. A little history, the Ohio Gas Association has its annual Christmas meeting every year at a golf course, an indoor gold simulator. Several years ago, Dave Celona found this James Brown talking/singing doll that has gone to the last place golfer in our little tournament. I was lucky enough to win it this year although there were only 3 golfers so it wasn't much of a last place. Enjoy the video, as you can see, Jack likes to get his groove on...
Monday, February 25, 2008
Today started my last week of jury duty. There were only 40 people called today and I was juror 136 of 138, meaning that if they would have only called jurors 55-135 I wouldn't have had to go. After a lot of delay, we were finally called to the courtroom. It was the U.S. government vs. an illegal Mexican who was involved in some big drug ring. The guy couldn't speak english and had two interpretors for him.
Now, you have to know that they seat you according to your juror number so juror 55 was in the jury box and juror 136 (me) was three from the end. They start there and pare the list.
The judge began asking questions and probably eliminated ten for work purposes. I wanted to serve so I thought there was no way they would get to me. A lady actually said she was prejudiced against people who are in the U.S. and can't speak English. Then the lawyers got to ask questions. Then the judge and the lawyers started excusing people. They went through the list, excusing one after another. Eventually, there were 4 people left. A lady got called up and as the alternate and there were 3 left, one of whom had a sister die of a drug overdose so I'm sure he would have been excused. Then there was me. I was one away from being the alternate, which is the worst job because you have to attend the trial but don't get to vote in the end.
About halfway through the process, I decided I didn't want to sit on the jury. Henry is going ice skating on Wednesday and I'd like to be there for that so he doesn't crack his head. Of course, I'm also supposed to be at a meeting so I haven't decided how I'm going to handle this yet.
So, my federal jury duty is over without anything to show for it. I did get a $60 check for milage so that's nice. It was an interesting experience, much much getter than the muni court system where its a lot of sitting around waiting for a trial. I only had to go in two days and that's not bad.
Now, you have to know that they seat you according to your juror number so juror 55 was in the jury box and juror 136 (me) was three from the end. They start there and pare the list.
The judge began asking questions and probably eliminated ten for work purposes. I wanted to serve so I thought there was no way they would get to me. A lady actually said she was prejudiced against people who are in the U.S. and can't speak English. Then the lawyers got to ask questions. Then the judge and the lawyers started excusing people. They went through the list, excusing one after another. Eventually, there were 4 people left. A lady got called up and as the alternate and there were 3 left, one of whom had a sister die of a drug overdose so I'm sure he would have been excused. Then there was me. I was one away from being the alternate, which is the worst job because you have to attend the trial but don't get to vote in the end.
About halfway through the process, I decided I didn't want to sit on the jury. Henry is going ice skating on Wednesday and I'd like to be there for that so he doesn't crack his head. Of course, I'm also supposed to be at a meeting so I haven't decided how I'm going to handle this yet.
So, my federal jury duty is over without anything to show for it. I did get a $60 check for milage so that's nice. It was an interesting experience, much much getter than the muni court system where its a lot of sitting around waiting for a trial. I only had to go in two days and that's not bad.
Forget global warming: Welcome to the new Ice Age
Lorne Gunter, National Post Published: Monday, February 25, 2008
Snow cover over North America and much of Siberia, Mongolia and China is greater than at any time since 1966.
The U.S. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) reported that many American cities and towns suffered record cold temperatures in January and early February. According to the NCDC, the average temperature in January "was -0.3 F cooler than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average."
China is surviving its most brutal winter in a century. Temperatures in the normally balmy south were so low for so long that some middle-sized cities went days and even weeks without electricity because once power lines had toppled it was too cold or too icy to repair them.
There have been so many snow and ice storms in Ontario and Quebec in the past two months that the real estate market has felt the pinch as home buyers have stayed home rather than venturing out looking for new houses.
In just the first two weeks of February, Toronto received 70 cm of snow, smashing the record of 66.6 cm for the entire month set back in the pre-SUV, pre-Kyoto, pre-carbon footprint days of 1950.
And remember the Arctic Sea ice? The ice we were told so hysterically last fall had melted to its "lowest levels on record? Never mind that those records only date back as far as 1972 and that there is anthropological and geological evidence of much greater melts in the past.
The ice is back.
Gilles Langis, a senior forecaster with the Canadian Ice Service in Ottawa, says the Arctic winter has been so severe the ice has not only recovered, it is actually 10 to 20 cm thicker in many places than at this time last year.
Lorne Gunter, National Post Published: Monday, February 25, 2008
Snow cover over North America and much of Siberia, Mongolia and China is greater than at any time since 1966.
The U.S. National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) reported that many American cities and towns suffered record cold temperatures in January and early February. According to the NCDC, the average temperature in January "was -0.3 F cooler than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average."
China is surviving its most brutal winter in a century. Temperatures in the normally balmy south were so low for so long that some middle-sized cities went days and even weeks without electricity because once power lines had toppled it was too cold or too icy to repair them.
There have been so many snow and ice storms in Ontario and Quebec in the past two months that the real estate market has felt the pinch as home buyers have stayed home rather than venturing out looking for new houses.
In just the first two weeks of February, Toronto received 70 cm of snow, smashing the record of 66.6 cm for the entire month set back in the pre-SUV, pre-Kyoto, pre-carbon footprint days of 1950.
And remember the Arctic Sea ice? The ice we were told so hysterically last fall had melted to its "lowest levels on record? Never mind that those records only date back as far as 1972 and that there is anthropological and geological evidence of much greater melts in the past.
The ice is back.
Gilles Langis, a senior forecaster with the Canadian Ice Service in Ottawa, says the Arctic winter has been so severe the ice has not only recovered, it is actually 10 to 20 cm thicker in many places than at this time last year.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I went to Border Books today because I had a gift card. I bought three books then came home and checked them on amazon.com. I'm not sure how bookstores stay in business. One of the books was ten dollars less at amazon, the other two were five bucks cheaper each. That's $20 more in a brick and mortar store compared to the internet. Oh, and I always order enough from amazon to get free shipping so that's not an issue.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The below link, More Memories (click on the smaller link, not the big one) takes you to a web page with a photo of me from college. Don't ask me why I am drinking beer out of a jar but I'm sure there were no cups available. This year will be 20 years since I graduated from Kent State. I can't begin to describe how unbelievable that is to me.
More Memories
Here is a video of Henry scoring a goal tonight in his last hockey game. It is even more impressive than you can see, there were two goalies in goal and Henry fired a rocket between them.
He also played a little goalie last night and had two great blocks.
He also played a little goalie last night and had two great blocks.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I am less than thrilled with our Presidential choices this election.
First, let me say that I am no fan of John McCain, the Republican choice. I disagree with him on immigration, taxes, global warming, campaign finance, prescription drugs and the list goes on.
Second, the Obama cultism is scary. If I asked ten active, smart democrats supporting Obama what his positions are I'll bet zero could tell me. Except for "He's for change". What exactly does that mean? He's going to change our tax system? No except for increasing mine. What is he going to change? Our military? Probably cut it. I may not agree with McCain on some huge issues but at least he doesn't hide his liberal beliefs under flowery rhetoric.
I think this article is very good. It was in today's Washington Post:
The Obama DelusionBy Robert Samuelson
WASHINGTON -- It's hard not to be dazzled by Barack Obama. At the 2004 Democratic convention, he visited with Newsweek reporters and editors, including me. I came away deeply impressed by his intelligence, his forceful language and his apparent willingness to take positions that seemed to rise above narrow partisanship. Obama has become the Democratic presidential front-runner, precisely because countless millions have formed a similar opinion. It is, I now think, mistaken.
As a journalist, I harbor serious doubt about each of the likely nominees. But with Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, I feel that I'm dealing with known quantities. They've been in the public arena for years; their views, values and temperaments have received enormous scrutiny. By contrast, newcomer Obama is largely a stage presence defined mostly by his powerful rhetoric. The trouble, at least for me, is the huge and deceptive gap between his captivating oratory and his actual views.
The subtext of Obama's campaign is that his own life narrative -- to become the first African-American president, a huge milestone in the nation's journey from slavery -- can serve as a metaphor for other political stalemates. Great impasses can be broken with sufficient good will, intelligence and energy. "It's not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white," he says. Along with millions of others, I find this a powerful appeal.
But on inspection, the metaphor is a mirage. Repudiating racism is not a magic cure-all for the nation's ills. It requires independent ideas, and Obama has few. If you examine his agenda, it is completely ordinary, highly partisan, not candid and mostly unresponsive to many pressing national problems.
By Obama's own moral standards, Obama fails. Americans "are tired of hearing promises made and 10-point plans proposed in the heat of a campaign only to have nothing change," he recently said. Shortly thereafter, he outlined an economic plan of at least 12 points that, among other things, would:
-- Provide a $1,000 tax cut for most two-earner families ($500 for singles).
-- Create a $4,000 refundable tuition tax credit for every year of college.
-- Expand the child care tax credit for people earning less than $50,000 and "double spending on quality after-school programs."
-- Enact an "energy plan" that would invest $150 billion in 10 years to create a "green energy sector."
Whatever one thinks of these ideas, they're standard goodie-bag politics: something for everyone. They're so similar to many Clinton proposals that her campaign put out a news release accusing him of plagiarizing. With existing budget deficits and the costs of Obama's "universal health plan," the odds of enacting his full package are slim.
A favorite Obama line is that he will tell "the American people not just what they want to hear, but what we need to know." Well, he hasn't so far.
Consider the retiring baby boomers. A truth-telling Obama might say: "Spending for retirees -- mainly Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid -- is already nearly half the federal budget. Unless we curb these rising costs, we will crush our children with higher taxes. Reflecting longer life expectancies, we should gradually raise the eligibility ages for these programs and trim benefits for wealthier retirees. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame for inaction. Waiting longer will only worsen the problem."
Instead, Obama pledges not to raise the retirement age and to "protect Social Security benefits for current and future beneficiaries." This isn't "change"; it's sanctification of the status quo. He would also exempt all retirees making less than $50,000 annually from income tax. By his math, that would provide average tax relief of $1,400 to 7 million retirees -- shifting more of the tax burden onto younger workers. Obama's main proposal for Social Security is to raise the payroll tax beyond the present $102,000 ceiling.
Political candidates routinely indulge in exaggeration, pandering, inconsistency and self-serving obscurity. Clinton and McCain do. The reason for holding Obama to a higher standard is that it's his standard and also his campaign's central theme. He has run on the vague promise of "change," but on issue after issue -- immigration, the economy, global warming -- he has offered boilerplate policies that evade the underlying causes of the stalemates. These issues remain contentious because they involve real conflicts or differences of opinion.
The contrast between his broad rhetoric and his narrow agenda is stark, and yet the press corps -- preoccupied with the political "horse race" -- has treated his invocation of "change" as a serious idea rather than a shallow campaign slogan. He seems to have hypnotized much of the media and the public with his eloquence and the symbolism of his life story. The result is a mass delusion that Obama is forthrightly engaging the nation's major problems when, so far, he isn't.
First, let me say that I am no fan of John McCain, the Republican choice. I disagree with him on immigration, taxes, global warming, campaign finance, prescription drugs and the list goes on.
Second, the Obama cultism is scary. If I asked ten active, smart democrats supporting Obama what his positions are I'll bet zero could tell me. Except for "He's for change". What exactly does that mean? He's going to change our tax system? No except for increasing mine. What is he going to change? Our military? Probably cut it. I may not agree with McCain on some huge issues but at least he doesn't hide his liberal beliefs under flowery rhetoric.
I think this article is very good. It was in today's Washington Post:
The Obama DelusionBy Robert Samuelson
WASHINGTON -- It's hard not to be dazzled by Barack Obama. At the 2004 Democratic convention, he visited with Newsweek reporters and editors, including me. I came away deeply impressed by his intelligence, his forceful language and his apparent willingness to take positions that seemed to rise above narrow partisanship. Obama has become the Democratic presidential front-runner, precisely because countless millions have formed a similar opinion. It is, I now think, mistaken.
As a journalist, I harbor serious doubt about each of the likely nominees. But with Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain, I feel that I'm dealing with known quantities. They've been in the public arena for years; their views, values and temperaments have received enormous scrutiny. By contrast, newcomer Obama is largely a stage presence defined mostly by his powerful rhetoric. The trouble, at least for me, is the huge and deceptive gap between his captivating oratory and his actual views.
The subtext of Obama's campaign is that his own life narrative -- to become the first African-American president, a huge milestone in the nation's journey from slavery -- can serve as a metaphor for other political stalemates. Great impasses can be broken with sufficient good will, intelligence and energy. "It's not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white," he says. Along with millions of others, I find this a powerful appeal.
But on inspection, the metaphor is a mirage. Repudiating racism is not a magic cure-all for the nation's ills. It requires independent ideas, and Obama has few. If you examine his agenda, it is completely ordinary, highly partisan, not candid and mostly unresponsive to many pressing national problems.
By Obama's own moral standards, Obama fails. Americans "are tired of hearing promises made and 10-point plans proposed in the heat of a campaign only to have nothing change," he recently said. Shortly thereafter, he outlined an economic plan of at least 12 points that, among other things, would:
-- Provide a $1,000 tax cut for most two-earner families ($500 for singles).
-- Create a $4,000 refundable tuition tax credit for every year of college.
-- Expand the child care tax credit for people earning less than $50,000 and "double spending on quality after-school programs."
-- Enact an "energy plan" that would invest $150 billion in 10 years to create a "green energy sector."
Whatever one thinks of these ideas, they're standard goodie-bag politics: something for everyone. They're so similar to many Clinton proposals that her campaign put out a news release accusing him of plagiarizing. With existing budget deficits and the costs of Obama's "universal health plan," the odds of enacting his full package are slim.
A favorite Obama line is that he will tell "the American people not just what they want to hear, but what we need to know." Well, he hasn't so far.
Consider the retiring baby boomers. A truth-telling Obama might say: "Spending for retirees -- mainly Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid -- is already nearly half the federal budget. Unless we curb these rising costs, we will crush our children with higher taxes. Reflecting longer life expectancies, we should gradually raise the eligibility ages for these programs and trim benefits for wealthier retirees. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame for inaction. Waiting longer will only worsen the problem."
Instead, Obama pledges not to raise the retirement age and to "protect Social Security benefits for current and future beneficiaries." This isn't "change"; it's sanctification of the status quo. He would also exempt all retirees making less than $50,000 annually from income tax. By his math, that would provide average tax relief of $1,400 to 7 million retirees -- shifting more of the tax burden onto younger workers. Obama's main proposal for Social Security is to raise the payroll tax beyond the present $102,000 ceiling.
Political candidates routinely indulge in exaggeration, pandering, inconsistency and self-serving obscurity. Clinton and McCain do. The reason for holding Obama to a higher standard is that it's his standard and also his campaign's central theme. He has run on the vague promise of "change," but on issue after issue -- immigration, the economy, global warming -- he has offered boilerplate policies that evade the underlying causes of the stalemates. These issues remain contentious because they involve real conflicts or differences of opinion.
The contrast between his broad rhetoric and his narrow agenda is stark, and yet the press corps -- preoccupied with the political "horse race" -- has treated his invocation of "change" as a serious idea rather than a shallow campaign slogan. He seems to have hypnotized much of the media and the public with his eloquence and the symbolism of his life story. The result is a mass delusion that Obama is forthrightly engaging the nation's major problems when, so far, he isn't.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Today I was looking out my window at work trying to figure out what I was going to do for lunch when I saw a car trying to parallel park. The guy never tried to back in, he just took the lazy way in and pulled in the spot. Now, this spot was huge so it wasn't like he was trying to cram a big car into a tiny spot. Six times the guy moved forward. Six times he moved backward. Then he opened his door to get a better view. Another six times forward, another six times backward until he finally parked it. That's 24 moves to get into a simple parking spot.
I was transfixed on the scene. I couldn't pull myself away. It was a show of poor parking the likes of which I haven't seen in years.
I was transfixed on the scene. I couldn't pull myself away. It was a show of poor parking the likes of which I haven't seen in years.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Jack is obsessed with our pantry. He will sit over there all day and play with packets of fruit snacks, etc. if we let him. He's probably just hungry with the way he eats.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Three thoughts today:
1. In 1980, after the Jimmy Carter years, the top tax rate was 70 percent. If I had been working and earning what I do today, I would fall in the 49 percent bracket. That's really hard to believe. I wonder which Presidential candidate would return us to those brackets?
2. We're not getting the big tax check that the government is sending out. I oppose it but would have taken it. But then I found out that its simply an advance on next year's taxes so I oppose it even more. Seriously, we're always being told to save our money so what would happen if everyone simply put their check in the bank? That's the opposite of what the government wants you to do with it, they want you to get out and spend spend spend.
3. I just finished reading 1776. I took two things away from it...George Washington wasn't a very good commander at the beginning of the war. He made a couple major blunders with his indecisiveness. Secondly, I'm amazed that our soldiers went without shoes. And not just sitting around without shoes but marching tens of miles a day in the snow without them. I look out my window and see the snow on the ground and wonder what that would be like and if I could do it. I doubt it.
1. In 1980, after the Jimmy Carter years, the top tax rate was 70 percent. If I had been working and earning what I do today, I would fall in the 49 percent bracket. That's really hard to believe. I wonder which Presidential candidate would return us to those brackets?
2. We're not getting the big tax check that the government is sending out. I oppose it but would have taken it. But then I found out that its simply an advance on next year's taxes so I oppose it even more. Seriously, we're always being told to save our money so what would happen if everyone simply put their check in the bank? That's the opposite of what the government wants you to do with it, they want you to get out and spend spend spend.
3. I just finished reading 1776. I took two things away from it...George Washington wasn't a very good commander at the beginning of the war. He made a couple major blunders with his indecisiveness. Secondly, I'm amazed that our soldiers went without shoes. And not just sitting around without shoes but marching tens of miles a day in the snow without them. I look out my window and see the snow on the ground and wonder what that would be like and if I could do it. I doubt it.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Jack got his first real haircut today and I'm glad to get my little boy back again. If you've seen his long hair, you know what I mean. He was an angel, he cried for a few seconds but that was it. Henry pretty much screamed his first time but he was younger than Jack.
Jack is really growing up. He has 4 teeth coming in on the top now and he eats like a horse. We swear he eats more than Henry does.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
We went to the Columbus Blue Jackets game tonight. It was Jack's first game but Henry has already been to a few. We sat in the 6th row, one more example of the boys being spoiled. It was Scooby Doo night and Henry got his photo taken with him.
Friday, February 08, 2008
I have a myspace page. I signed up for one a couple years ago because I needed one to see someone's page. It's really for younger kids and a lot of Sarah's friends have one.
Anyway, people can request to be added as a friend. I usually get about ten a week. They all are from hot girls in bikinis for the most part. There really is no need to click on them to read their message, I just hit deny and move on. It got me thinking, if you really want to steer someone to your offsite porn web page, why not try a different approach? I don't know, maybe an attractive girl wearing normal clothes? I might actually think to myself, do I know her?
www.linkedin.com is the networking site I use. It's for professionals and seems to be "going around" the Statehouse community. I have over 100 "friends" on that site, most of them colleagues.
Anyway, people can request to be added as a friend. I usually get about ten a week. They all are from hot girls in bikinis for the most part. There really is no need to click on them to read their message, I just hit deny and move on. It got me thinking, if you really want to steer someone to your offsite porn web page, why not try a different approach? I don't know, maybe an attractive girl wearing normal clothes? I might actually think to myself, do I know her?
www.linkedin.com is the networking site I use. It's for professionals and seems to be "going around" the Statehouse community. I have over 100 "friends" on that site, most of them colleagues.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Nothing new to report on the blog today other than I might have some food poisoning (sushi yesterday for lunch) or the stomach flu. I left our annual Mardi Gras party for legislative staff last night at 7:30 because I wasn't feeling that well. And hey, drinking 7-Up all night is not a lot of fun anyway.
Being on the wagon since New Orleans has been easy. The only time I thought about getting a drink was when I was in Springfield and had an hour to kill before a dinner. Normally, I would go to the bar and have a drink but I just went to Starbucks and had a Chai tea instead. Probably more expensive than a beer would have been...
Being on the wagon since New Orleans has been easy. The only time I thought about getting a drink was when I was in Springfield and had an hour to kill before a dinner. Normally, I would go to the bar and have a drink but I just went to Starbucks and had a Chai tea instead. Probably more expensive than a beer would have been...
Monday, February 04, 2008
30 of 125 potential jurors dismissed in National Century fraud trial
Monday, February 4, 2008 12:55 PM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The first of four trials involving the collapse of National Century Financial Enterprises began with jury selection this morning in federal court. A pool of 125 potential jurors filed into the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley, leaving no room for media or other observers. About 30 of the jurors were dismissed shortly before noon, so spectators are expected to be allowed inside when the trial resumes at 1:30 p.m.
I was one of those jurors dismissed.
I've known I had federal jury duty for a month or so. A week or so ago they sent me a detailed questionaire about the above case. There was nothing in it that would disqualify me from the jury.
So I showed up at the Federal Courthouse downtown this morning at 7:15 a.m. Things were fairly well organized, plenty of donuts, bagels, pop etc. (our tax money at work). As a side, they pay roundtrip milage, parking and even for a hotel if you live more than so many miles from Cbus. Plus, $40 pay per day. I am juror #136. meaning there's a number of people in front of me. I found out later they were bringing in 125 jurors today and another 125 tomorrow.
About 9:15 a.m. they line us up and march us upstairs to the courtroom. We barely fit in. The judge comes in and talks to us for a bit, telling us that the trial would likely last 6-8 weeks. Whoooa. There is no way I can serve that long. So he asks if this is going to cause a hardship for anyone and if so, please stand up and say why. He added that if there was anyone who was uncomfortable or wanted to talk in private they could come up for a sidebar meeting with him and the attorneys. A bunch of yahoos proceed to march up there and want to meet with him. I know that 95 percent of them thought they had to go up there rather than just stand up so those 35 meetings ended up lasting over 2 hours. I felt like standing up and shouting "stop it you stupid people, the sidebar is just for those who are embarrassed about something".
Twice the judge told his bailiff to remind people that they would have an opportunity to stand up later and explain why they couldn't serve. Twice people kept going up there. That stuff drives me crazy when people a. don't listen or b. are too stupid to follow directions and it costs me an inconvenience of time.
Another side, I heard a couple times jurors discussing the case and the headline article in yesterday's newspaper. Don't these people know that you aren't supposed to discuss a case with another potential juror.
So, after the sidebar marathon, about 8 people stood up and said why they couldn't serve. Most dealt with jobs and not being able to take the time off. My speech certainly did "I work for a large company but I'm the only person in our Columbus office. I lobby the General Assembly and the next two months will be very busy for me. Plus, I have a vacation planned for mid-March".
Right before dismissing us for lunch, he read the juror numbers of everyone who had a sidebar with him and those who had stood up or those who had said the Dispatch article might taint their opinions. We were to stay and everyone else was dismissed for lunch. A quick thank you for coming in, you are excused followed and out the door I went. There were more than 30 people dismissed though, it was at least a third of the pool.
I am still on jury duty for the rest of the month. I have to call in Saturday to see if I have to report next Monday. I hope I get a trial, it really is interesting stuff. I would have loved to have served on this National Century case but I can't take off two months from my job, especially at this time.
Monday, February 4, 2008 12:55 PM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The first of four trials involving the collapse of National Century Financial Enterprises began with jury selection this morning in federal court. A pool of 125 potential jurors filed into the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley, leaving no room for media or other observers. About 30 of the jurors were dismissed shortly before noon, so spectators are expected to be allowed inside when the trial resumes at 1:30 p.m.
I was one of those jurors dismissed.
I've known I had federal jury duty for a month or so. A week or so ago they sent me a detailed questionaire about the above case. There was nothing in it that would disqualify me from the jury.
So I showed up at the Federal Courthouse downtown this morning at 7:15 a.m. Things were fairly well organized, plenty of donuts, bagels, pop etc. (our tax money at work). As a side, they pay roundtrip milage, parking and even for a hotel if you live more than so many miles from Cbus. Plus, $40 pay per day. I am juror #136. meaning there's a number of people in front of me. I found out later they were bringing in 125 jurors today and another 125 tomorrow.
About 9:15 a.m. they line us up and march us upstairs to the courtroom. We barely fit in. The judge comes in and talks to us for a bit, telling us that the trial would likely last 6-8 weeks. Whoooa. There is no way I can serve that long. So he asks if this is going to cause a hardship for anyone and if so, please stand up and say why. He added that if there was anyone who was uncomfortable or wanted to talk in private they could come up for a sidebar meeting with him and the attorneys. A bunch of yahoos proceed to march up there and want to meet with him. I know that 95 percent of them thought they had to go up there rather than just stand up so those 35 meetings ended up lasting over 2 hours. I felt like standing up and shouting "stop it you stupid people, the sidebar is just for those who are embarrassed about something".
Twice the judge told his bailiff to remind people that they would have an opportunity to stand up later and explain why they couldn't serve. Twice people kept going up there. That stuff drives me crazy when people a. don't listen or b. are too stupid to follow directions and it costs me an inconvenience of time.
Another side, I heard a couple times jurors discussing the case and the headline article in yesterday's newspaper. Don't these people know that you aren't supposed to discuss a case with another potential juror.
So, after the sidebar marathon, about 8 people stood up and said why they couldn't serve. Most dealt with jobs and not being able to take the time off. My speech certainly did "I work for a large company but I'm the only person in our Columbus office. I lobby the General Assembly and the next two months will be very busy for me. Plus, I have a vacation planned for mid-March".
Right before dismissing us for lunch, he read the juror numbers of everyone who had a sidebar with him and those who had stood up or those who had said the Dispatch article might taint their opinions. We were to stay and everyone else was dismissed for lunch. A quick thank you for coming in, you are excused followed and out the door I went. There were more than 30 people dismissed though, it was at least a third of the pool.
I am still on jury duty for the rest of the month. I have to call in Saturday to see if I have to report next Monday. I hope I get a trial, it really is interesting stuff. I would have loved to have served on this National Century case but I can't take off two months from my job, especially at this time.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Today was a big day for the Briggs family on two fronts. First, we joined Peace Lutheran Church. We've been going through a four week bible study and were introduced today to the congregation. I'm excited to get back into going to church and we need to get Jack baptized.
Secondly, we took out Jack's carrier seat and he'll be sitting in a big boy car seat starting tomorrow. He'll be one years old. Happy bday Jack.
Secondly, we took out Jack's carrier seat and he'll be sitting in a big boy car seat starting tomorrow. He'll be one years old. Happy bday Jack.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
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Jack had a great first birthday party today. Here are some photos:
Friday, February 01, 2008
I don't pretend to know everything about the financial market. I do however know that when the market is down, one should invest. Sure, its tough to watch the Dow go down every day as it seems like it did in December and January but if you subscribe to "buy low and sell high", how else are you going to buy low?
I bought a couple stocks two weeks ago. One (Devon Energy) is up 10 percent and one (Philip Morris) is up 3.5 percent. I bought Dolby two months ago and its up nearly 40 percent. Carmax is up 10 percent. Yahoo was up big today on the news Microsoft is buying it so I'll make 10 percent on that. Of course, I deal in small amounts so making ten percent isn't a whole lot of money. But I guess its better than losing ten percent.
Microsoft was down $2 today. I took the opportunity to buy more of it. It's a great company which practically mints money. It had a great earnings report last week and the stock wasn't rewarded nearly enough.
I write this blog mostly for my kids, so that someday they can figure out their old man. I'm proud that I've been able to buy some stocks for them and get them started down the path to financial security. They own Disney, Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and McDonald's. I wish I could put more money into their account but I know someday they will be happy that they own something. My words of wisdom to them will be to start saving early. Compounding of interest is a great thing; I wish I had saved more in my 20s but that can be tough.
I don't think the seesaw of the market is over yet but I'll continue to enjoy watching it.
I bought a couple stocks two weeks ago. One (Devon Energy) is up 10 percent and one (Philip Morris) is up 3.5 percent. I bought Dolby two months ago and its up nearly 40 percent. Carmax is up 10 percent. Yahoo was up big today on the news Microsoft is buying it so I'll make 10 percent on that. Of course, I deal in small amounts so making ten percent isn't a whole lot of money. But I guess its better than losing ten percent.
Microsoft was down $2 today. I took the opportunity to buy more of it. It's a great company which practically mints money. It had a great earnings report last week and the stock wasn't rewarded nearly enough.
I write this blog mostly for my kids, so that someday they can figure out their old man. I'm proud that I've been able to buy some stocks for them and get them started down the path to financial security. They own Disney, Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and McDonald's. I wish I could put more money into their account but I know someday they will be happy that they own something. My words of wisdom to them will be to start saving early. Compounding of interest is a great thing; I wish I had saved more in my 20s but that can be tough.
I don't think the seesaw of the market is over yet but I'll continue to enjoy watching it.
