civic duty

I've been thinking a lot about obligations lately, specifically obligations you have as a functioning member of society, a citizen. You see, I had jury duty on Friday and 99% of the people I told had the same reaction, to tell me how they thought that I could and should get out of it.

The suggestions ranged from explaining to the judge my deep-seated hatred for all races other than my own to simply carrying "N is for Noose" by Sue Grafton as my chosen reading material. All of the suggestions, however, involved me being dishonest in some way. In actuality, my hatred knows no racial bounds and I have never been a fan of Sue Grafton. Now don't get me wrong, I, like everyone else, have told a lie or two in my time. I don't make a habit of it and am not very good at it to boot. But it's more than that.

It is my opinion there are just some duties that you are obliged to perform as a member of society. Jury duty is one of them. Voting and being a polite traffic merger are two others. That is why I didn't attempt to get out of it. And, as it turns out, I was excused anyway. Proving once again...it's not what you know, it's who you know. And apparently I know the arresting officer.

facebook is the devil

I have been very neglectful of my blog in 2009. And I blame facebook. It is more of a time sucker than is my house! It's kind of cool to re-connect with people that I haven't seen in ages and hear what they are doing in nice short digestible chunks ala status updates. I don't go for the flair or the pass me a drink apps or any of that stuff. You won't find me joining many "causes" or starting a group. I recently caved to the pressure and composed my "25 random things about me" list on FB. I was tagged by a couple of people that I care about so I didn't want to not tag them back with my list. My next FB project is to write my goals for my 41st year...one of my roommates from college did it and I liked the idea. It's good to have goals! For those who have not been sucked into the dark abyss that is FB, here is my list of 25 random things...


1. I used to have straight hair.

2. I once lived so far from civilization that a trip to Target took two hours...one way.

3. I don't travel enough.

4. Owning my own business is the best and worst decision I ever made.

5. I once took an 8 day cruise by myself.

6. For the last 6 months I have been working out 5 days a week and have lost 30 pounds.

7. I can do full military style pushups and have done 150 in one workout.

8. I am researching how to make concrete countertops.

9. I feel lucky that I have known some of my friends for 20+ years.

10. I don't think you can ever REALLY know anyone.

11. I should be working instead of writing this list.

12. I am thankful for all I have and all that I have accomplished.

13. I once yelled at Robert Downey Jr.....I swear.

14. I once was a roadie for U2...I swear.

15. I love the Home Depot and my pulse quickens when I go there!

16. I was once engaged and am glad that I didn't get married.

17. Someone I once loved (not #16) is now doing 8 to 12 in state prison.

18. I have 2 tattoos and wish I only had one.

19. I am afraid of spiders.

20. Everything that breaks at my house costs $3000 to fix....what's up with that?

21. In college I worked in a factory during the summer.

22. I never went anywhere for Spring Break and am jealous of those who did.

23. I don't have a dishwasher.

24. I can do the Time Warp...again.

25. I believe that the best is yet to come.