Wednesday Me-For-Works
Sep 2nd, 2008 by Shalee
It seems that I’ve been thwarted in being able to post my Works For Me Wednesday idea, but that’s okay because I actually have a dilemma that needs your input! I’d ask Big Mama, but her Fashion Fridays have been on an extended vacation for some time now and I need to know the answer pretty quickly!
So, it seems that God was totally listening when I was complaining about not having much to do during my unemployment. That God… He’s a real crack up. You know what he has me doing now?
Jury duty.
That’s what I get for opening my big mouth. Hey, it could have been worse. I do recall a story where Korah was complaining that others (the Levites) were the only ones who could carry the incenses, basically challenging God’s plans, so God told Moses and Aaron not to stand close to Korah or anyone in his entire family. It’s a good thing they listened to God because the next thing that happened was that the earth opened up and swallowed the entire Korah clan whole, tents and all.
So as you can see, jury duty is nothing compared to what he could have done.
I’ve never done jury duty. What do you wear to this little shindig? Do I take my lunch or will they let us leave to eat? Is it proper to eat M&Ms during the jury selection or, better yet, to take a book? What book? Anything by Grisham? To Kill a Mockingbird? Primal Fear?
And to further laugh at God’s lovely sense of humor, here’s what I found out about serving on my state’s jury:
Jurors are paid $10 per day and 47¢ per mile for their service. These rates of reimbursement are set by the Legislature. The $10 per day rate was established by the Legislature in 1971 and has not been amended since that time.
1971, y’all. I was born in 1971. Now there’s a great example of Legislature working for the people, or else it takes too long to keep up with inflation…
Head on over to Shannon’s place and find some others who need your help, but don’t forget to help me first. If anyone needs fashion help, it would be me.
I saw we were next to each other in the Mr. Linky so I ran straight away over to ya to throw in my two cents. Which is funny when it comes to me being the fashion police.
You should use jury duty as a networking opportunity. Wear professional attire…look REEEAL smart and who knows? You might find some mighty fine job prospects.
And chocolate in your purse? Totally acceptable!!
I say go for comfort…always bring an extra layer in case the AC is cranked up. No need to do sweats and a t-shirt, but maybe what you’d wear out for a day shopping (oh wait, you don’t like to shop…I can relate). Just an FYI, our jury selection room had Wi-fi, so maybe bring the laptop and you could get some blogging done while you wait.
I always bring a book or good magazine, too. There will be lots of waiting prior to finding out if you are actually selected. And yes, they will give you a lunch break so you shouldn’t HAVE to bring your lunch, but it could save you some pennies and also save you from possibly eating cafeteria food if you do bring your own. Have fun fulfilling your civic duty!
And who knows, you may not even be called in.
Dress: business casual (church type clothes, basically).
Purse: big enough to carry a good book, a snack, and a deck of cards (no joke), maybe a puzzle book?
I love the idea of using it to network!
I’ve been called for jury duty 3 times…and I was gigantically pregnant every time! I could have done a “postponement”, but opted to waddle in there in all my pregnant glory…betting that I’d just get sent home and not have to deal with it later (with a nursing infant). Worked every time
Definitely bring a book, I think Grisham is a great idea! The Bible is another good choice. Tell them anyone committing a crime should receive the death penalty – you probably won’t be chosen.
Double-check to make sure you need to go, sometimes things settle right before trial.
I wore jeans and a t-shirt, but I wasn’t looking for a job. I brought my lunch, which was good, because either the food there was both expensive and uninteresting, or there wasn’t a cafeteria (I can’t remember which), and there wasn’t a restaurant for miles. Bring enough to read or somehow entertain yourself for the entire day. And I love your choices in reading material!
I’ve had to do it. Think days sometimes of sitting doing absolutely nothing. Dress for comfort, definitely bring the extra layer suggested by Connie, I learnt that lesson the hard way my first day. Bring food, including a lunch. There’s nothing wrong with bag full of m&ms and have mints handy, cause you’ll want to fall asleep and they help wake you up.
And as much reading material as your arms can carry.
I actually have never been called for jury duty. But I think it would be interesting…although knowing my luck I would end up sequestered for some major trial and not have something that was done in three days. That’s the luck I have…if it weren’t for bad luck, I would have no luck at all.
But back to your Jury Duty — I say take entertainment. And snacks. From what I understand, there is some significant sitting around. I even know people who took their laptops – some courthouses have wifi!
It would appear that you’ve been give a couple of days of state mandated reading time. ENJOY!!!
Yes, dress professionally with comfortable shoes! You never know who will be there and you could cross their paths again, out in the world. I took my lunch because ours was far from anywhere I wanted to eat.
I had jury duty last year and was actually picked for a jury. I wore nice black dress pants and a nice blouse or sweater for the trial. That seemed to fit in pretty well with the other women on the jury. For the jury selection process, I don’t think it matters what you wear. I would go comfortable since you will be sitting around and waiting a lot. A good book/magazine is essential =) If you are picked for a trial, they feed you. I would bring a snack for the jury selection process in case they don’t provide anything.
I’ve always wanted to be on a jury. I’m not real sure why. But if I were, I would definitely take M&M’s and a book. Maybe bake brownies so I would be elected foreman(woman). And I would also dress comforatably, but nice.
Good luck!
I got called in when I was 7 months pregnant, with 3 year old. Since we don’t hear whether we have to report until the NIGHT BEFORE, I had to take my extremely introverted mommy’s boy with me and put him in the daycare. As soon as we walked in, he got teary eyed and the lady dismissed us!
Try to get there early so you can be in the front of the line and get a comfortable seat. When I went, there were people standing against the walls and sitting on the floor.
Ugh, good luck!
Ten stinkin’ dollars, huh? You’re right though, it could have been worse
)
Now if it was ME, I would carry a large tote bag & some of the stuff in there: my phone, laptop (w plugin), a notebook (or box of index cards) w pencils, a small tape recorder, a camera, a roll of quarters, a toothbrush w paste, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, kleenex, lip gloss, a crochet project (in lg ziplock), my small Bible & journal, a sudoku book, a mystery story, food (protein: Almonds, wrapped cheese sticks, dried fruit, etc), floss picks, water bottle, an inflatable travel pillow, Tylanol/Advil, and if I were job hunting, my personal business cards, etc. What have I missed? Have fun. Hope you get a nice juicy mystery to solve. Perry Mason would be proud of you.
I was called for jury duty once and the interesting person in question was the BROTHER of my cousin’s shady boyfriend! He faked an illness and the case was cancelled before I could find out if my relationship to the felon would disqualify me. Maybe.
Hey I had jury duty this summer! I dressed nicely but comfortably, but there were people there in every type of outfit imaginable. They let us go find our lunch downtown. This was July in Portland, and it was a cool day and they had the AC cranked, so I actually bought a new sweater during the lunch break! I’d been needing one anyway. And most definitely bring a book. You will spend most of your time just sitting there, totally bored. And, with any luck, you’ll be able to just do the one day and then be free for another two years.
Here’s the post I wrote about it: http://planetnomad.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/the-longest-day/
I always read your blog in high spirits. Thanks
I always read your blog in high spirits. Thanks