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floatingleafI just got summoned for jury duty.:/ I mean, really? I've only been a citizen for two years, and they got me already?... I haven't even registered to vote, hoping that it might reduce the likelihood of being picked too soon. Well, it looks like I might just as well start voting now, for all the good it's going to do. I'm in the system anyway.:/
It came in my old name, btw - but I don't suppose I could pretend it's not really for me, could I? Technically, there is no US citizen of that name, because my citizenship certificate bears the new one. But I'd rather show up and explain the situation than risk getting a fine for disregarding the summons, I think.
The letter says to be prepared to stay at the courthouse for 7 hours at least, and to bring change for vending machines. Does that mean I might end up sitting in the waiting room all day, eating nothing but snack bars from a vending machine?... Knowing the way my metabolism works, I can pretty much count on a stupefying headache if that is the case. And I don't even want to contemplate actually being called into a courtroom. If that happens, and if I have to sit there for hours without being able to eat OR go to the bathroom... then I'm afraid I won't be paying much attention to the proceedings.:/ I mean, my bladder can be a nuisance even in perfectly peaceful circumstances; but under stress... it's too embarrassing to talk about, really.:/ But, long story short, if you want to put me in a state of high anxiety, you only need to do two things: keep me from having a proper meal for over 6 hours (blood sugar drop to the point of dizziness and nausea, even if I am snacking in the meantime), and keep me from using the bathroom for over 2 hours (possibly less, if I am feeling exhausted/nervous already). A surefire recipe for a freakout.:/ I mean, I usually skip seeing movies at a theater if they are over 90 minutes long. I can try to reduce the risk of acute discomfort by drinking less water than usual - but feeling dehydrated also gives me a headache, and when it is combined with the low-blood-sugar headache, it becomes nearly unbearable. And when combined with stress... as in, having to pay attention, because you're in a fucking COURTHOUSE and someone's fate is being decided, and you have to THINK about it and may even be asked for an OPINION... *panics*
*takes a deep breath*
I am making entirely too big a deal out of it, am I not?...
I have become a ridiculous, anal-retentive old lady who fusses over everything to the point of mild (or not so mild) hysteria. When did that happen?
*gives herself a critical once-over*
Who am I kidding, really?... I've always been ridiculously anal-retentive, and I've always fussed over everything to the point of (not so) mild hysteria. It's just becoming more and more difficult to put a brave face on it as I get older, because the body doesn't have quite as much resilience anymore...
Of course, it might turn out I don't even have to show up at the courthouse at all... but that would be too good to be true, wouldn't it? *bites nails*
It came in my old name, btw - but I don't suppose I could pretend it's not really for me, could I? Technically, there is no US citizen of that name, because my citizenship certificate bears the new one. But I'd rather show up and explain the situation than risk getting a fine for disregarding the summons, I think.
The letter says to be prepared to stay at the courthouse for 7 hours at least, and to bring change for vending machines. Does that mean I might end up sitting in the waiting room all day, eating nothing but snack bars from a vending machine?... Knowing the way my metabolism works, I can pretty much count on a stupefying headache if that is the case. And I don't even want to contemplate actually being called into a courtroom. If that happens, and if I have to sit there for hours without being able to eat OR go to the bathroom... then I'm afraid I won't be paying much attention to the proceedings.:/ I mean, my bladder can be a nuisance even in perfectly peaceful circumstances; but under stress... it's too embarrassing to talk about, really.:/ But, long story short, if you want to put me in a state of high anxiety, you only need to do two things: keep me from having a proper meal for over 6 hours (blood sugar drop to the point of dizziness and nausea, even if I am snacking in the meantime), and keep me from using the bathroom for over 2 hours (possibly less, if I am feeling exhausted/nervous already). A surefire recipe for a freakout.:/ I mean, I usually skip seeing movies at a theater if they are over 90 minutes long. I can try to reduce the risk of acute discomfort by drinking less water than usual - but feeling dehydrated also gives me a headache, and when it is combined with the low-blood-sugar headache, it becomes nearly unbearable. And when combined with stress... as in, having to pay attention, because you're in a fucking COURTHOUSE and someone's fate is being decided, and you have to THINK about it and may even be asked for an OPINION... *panics*
*takes a deep breath*
I am making entirely too big a deal out of it, am I not?...
I have become a ridiculous, anal-retentive old lady who fusses over everything to the point of mild (or not so mild) hysteria. When did that happen?
*gives herself a critical once-over*
Who am I kidding, really?... I've always been ridiculously anal-retentive, and I've always fussed over everything to the point of (not so) mild hysteria. It's just becoming more and more difficult to put a brave face on it as I get older, because the body doesn't have quite as much resilience anymore...
Of course, it might turn out I don't even have to show up at the courthouse at all... but that would be too good to be true, wouldn't it? *bites nails*
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-29 12:51 pm (UTC)I hate jury duty, too, but then I remember that if something ever happned and I ended up on trial, I would be grateful for the jury system and glad people do their civic duty.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-01-01 01:55 am (UTC)they don't get you by the voter rolls, they use all sort of things: DMV, utility bills
That would explain why it's in my old name. I never bothered to notify most utility providers of the change...
Once I was empanelled and I got disqualified for my rather liberal views.
Really?... They can do that??? O_O So if I tell them I'm a socialist, they will send me home right away?...;P
I hate jury duty, too, but then I remember that if something ever happned and I ended up on trial, I would be grateful for the jury system and glad people do their civic duty.
You have a point here - as usual.:)