LEGO

After a full day of activities I've finally told myself that now is the time to make a post. There have been many events since my last post - let me see what I can dig up from the memory banks.

- Jury Duty -

The drive to Kent was a quick reminder of driving to Acura of Seattle almost every day last year. However, going through metal detectors and basically doing nothing was a far cry from Acura of Seattle. I did have a bit of interest in going to see what the "system" was all about; now that I know I don't think I will have the same level of interest.

Sitting in a large room with 100+ people, rows of chairs facing the same direction, a few magazines, five boxes of puzzles and wall of vending machines; I could tell that this might be different from what I imagined. I grab a chair at the end of a row (the first row) thinking that I would somehow be left alone, or at least appear that I want to be left alone. This did not work. It was like sitting on an airplane hoping that the seat next to you will be vacant. The room continued to fill up and I began to see that my chance of elbow room was running thin.

A man sat next to me, older in age with his body showing the signs of age. Not a minute sitting together I began to feel like I should be a good guy and start a conversation, but he beat me to the punch. It began with small talk that I thought was over after a few minutes and I went back to my magazine. He however brought nothing and started in with more questions. I am not sure if this is rude, but at one point I offered him the magazine I was reading to keep him busy, he was happy to receive it.

At 11:00 am they announced that four of the five trials had been settled out of court and they did not need all of us to stay. The person on the speaker started to announce the names of those that could go home for the day. I waited for them to call my name as it was my wife's birthday and I had not procured a gift - not even a card! My name was not called, but the magazine reading man was...ahh elbow room.

We were released for a two hour lunch. No wonder the court system is behind with all their two hour lunches. Now, I am not familar with Kent, but let me tell you that two hours in Kent is no vacation. I was on foot as they did not want us driving for fear of us not finding parking again. I meandered around Kent for two hours looking for a meal and a gift for my wife. I ended up with Chipotle and sore feet - no gift, not even a card.

To wrap this up...after lunch we sat around for another 1/2 hour and the annoucement came that my service was no longer needed and that I did not need to return the following day. My civic duty has been completed.

Today a check arrived from the county for my one day service of $30+ dollars - they pay for mileage too.

- Other Odds and Ends -

Our family does not have any animals. I do not forsee this changing in the near future. I have heard stories from others about cats who go out at night and hunt bringing back dead mice and other animals to show their owners. I don't need an animal to bring me such things when you have two boys.

One day I arrived home to find this next to my bed. When I asked my wife what this was I saw that see too had one on her side of the bed. You might look at it like I did and say to yourself, "what is this?" Any guess? One of our boys left them for us as a sign of love I am sure.

Did you hear about the rise in crime in Redmond, Washington? Turns out there is a high demand for diabetic testing meters. Who knew? My family does now.

Earlier this week my wife and the kids when for a walk and came back to find the passenger front door glass broken and the meter stolen. Little did the criminal know he missed out on a large sum of cash, credit cards and personal ID. Not to mention there was library book in the van about "manners".

Now, days later, we are still dealing with the insurance company and waiting for our day in court! :) I was surprised this happened as the van was sitting in my in-laws driveway during the mid-day. So if any of you see a meter on ebay for a great price...let us know!

I am done!