<<Midwest Coffee Talk: The Tens>>

[vid]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Brown

But things have changed greatly since you've been here. We seldomly hear your hooker stories anymore and you're working now too! But I shall never forget your early years around these parts. Your beginnings here remind me of a Canadian version of Jazzman or a puppy - inquisitive, blunt, and always in trouble.

I'm still in awe that you weren't banned. Are you still banned from CE?

A few months after I was banned from CE, Jasonhouse asked me if I wanted to be let back in. I said no. I don't feel anything productive really came out of my time spent there.

I am still inquisitive, blunt and always in trouble. I'm just better at doing it without getting too in trouble because all those years of toeing the line have taught me how to walk it.

According to someone (either Shiro or Jasonhouse?) I wasn't banned outright because one of the admins felt sorry for me and prevented it from happening. (Moderators have votes before banning people except in certain cases.) As far as I can recall, I was only ever suspended because of disputes with Stanzi.

[rockyi]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Brown

We'll still be here when you're shitting your pants and ranting unintelligible curses!

I'm doing exactly that as I type this!!

[rockyi]

Originally Posted by rockyi

........A restaurant directly across the street from the school was the location for an episode of Restaurant Impossible set to air next week. I'm sure people might catch a glimpse of the school on TV.

I'm watching that episode now and a large part of the show was filmed on the school grounds.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Give me a good reason I shouldn't be here.

[rockyi]

^Just where have you been little mister?!

I haven't seen a post from you in ages.

[HomeInMyShoes]

The post-apocalypse is over-rated.

[Centropolis]

im preparing to drive to miami friday, and then camp in the everglades. everyone says im crazy. that has nothing to do with the first part.

hopefully ill remember my real camera.

welcome back HIMS.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Next, you can come camping here. It's only -33C and -49C with the windchill. You can pretend it's the summit of Everest without having to climb all that way.

I want gator pictures!

[Buckeye Native 001]

...Pictures of gators?

[Buckeye Native 001]

You need to be more specific.

This?

Source

Or maybe this?

Source

Or something like this?

Source

Or, god forbid, this?

Source

[LMich]

Just got my stipend from the county for the single day of jury duty I served back during the week of the 9th: $15.50. You couldn't believe how badly I didn't want to be there, so I was starring daggers at everyone. I was still getting over a terrible sinus infection and flu, tt was cold as hell, and because Lansing is the only state capital that's not also a county seat, I had to drive 15 miles to the sleepy, little country town where the court house sits. The judge is making terrible jokes, the prosecutor is making some potential jury member cry with his line of questioning, and I'm sitting there going between "For the love of god let me sit on this jury and be done with it" and "please don't call me for this jury." Finally, it was over, and I don't get called back for the rest of the week I'm on call, thank god. Pretty serious trial, though. Domestic violence with another charge of false imprisonment.

Welcome to jury service!

[Ex-Ithacan]

^ LMich, I feel for you. I've had regular jury duty three times, not fun. However, this was my last month of being on a Federal Grand Jury. We reported once a week for 18 months. Very different from regular jury duty. It was nice to break up my work week, and there were a wide variety of cases; many boring, but some interesting and even heart-breaking others. Most of the jurors would have been willing to serve another 18 months (myself included), but that was not permitted. I just hope I don't get called for regular trial jury duty again for a while.

[rockyi]

I had my summonds this summer in which I had to call once a week for two months to see if I had to serve. I called almost every time and was told I wasn't needed at this time. The only time I didn't call was because I simply forgot....THAT was the only time I was to serve. I called and told them the truth as to why I didn't show and they seemed to have the attitude of "meh...shit happens."

[LMich]

I was worried because my brother had gotten a summons a few years back, totally ignored it, and they fined him pretty harshly. They certainly let you know up front that you can be fined or put in jail. Of course, it depends on the judge, but I've seen people locked up for far less contempt of court.

In other news, we've had the worse ice storm we've had in over 100 years, up here. This stuff usually happens way further west and south of here. Tens of thousands of people still without power (including the mayor, who lives in a wealthy neighborhood, so at least we know there is no favoritism in getting the power back on), trees down everywhere. I'm just lucky a lot of the power infrastructure where I live is buried, so we rarely lose power during storms. But, the damage to the vegetation is going to be devastating. It's going to look so bare around here come summer. Every single tree along my block on one side is damage to the point that if they don't bring them down, altogether, they will be maimed for years to come. So not used to experiencing this. The jet stream has just been wacky as hell, lately.

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by LMich

Just got my stipend from the county for the single day of jury duty I served back during the week of the 9th: $15.50. You couldn't believe how badly I didn't want to be there, so I was starring daggers at everyone. I was still getting over a terrible sinus infection and flu, tt was cold as hell, and because Lansing is the only state capital that's not also a county seat, I had to drive 15 miles to the sleepy, little country town where the court house sits. The judge is making terrible jokes, the prosecutor is making some potential jury member cry with his line of questioning, and I'm sitting there going between "For the love of god let me sit on this jury and be done with it" and "please don't call me for this jury." Finally, it was over, and I don't get called back for the rest of the week I'm on call, thank god. Pretty serious trial, though. Domestic violence with another charge of false imprisonment.

Welcome to jury service!

It's unlikely that YOU would have been picked for an actual jury trial. Prosecutors try their best to get rid of potential jurors like you and me in criminal cases.

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by Ex-Ithacan

^ LMich, I feel for you. I've had regular jury duty three times, not fun. However, this was my last month of being on a Federal Grand Jury. We reported once a week for 18 months. Very different from regular jury duty. It was nice to break up my work week, and there were a wide variety of cases; many boring, but some interesting and even heart-breaking others. Most of the jurors would have been willing to serve another 18 months (myself included), but that was not permitted. I just hope I don't get called for regular trial jury duty again for a while.

Depending on where you live in the DC area I wouldn't be surprised if you see some of the people you voted (or not voted) to indict are on the news

[LMich]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Brown

It's unlikely that YOU would have been picked for an actual jury trial. Prosecutors try their best to get rid of potential jurors like you and me in criminal cases.

Oh, I assumed as much when I went in. The defendent was black, so I knew even if I got up there, they'd probably shoo me out. I was also surprised to see so few minorities in the jury pool. Of the dozens of people summoned, that day, I could literally count on one hand the number of ethnic and racial minorities. It felt really odd. Ingham County isn't exactly the most diverse place, but over a quarter of the population is minority. Even with out that, they'd have probably still gotten rid of me. The defense attorney was just plain obnoxious and condescending. The prosecutor, on the other hand, was far more gentle and spoke to everyone with a bit more respect, kind of a role reversal.

[rockyi]

I'm at my parents house with a bunch of tipsy Catholics.......I love my family but, damn they're loud!

[Centropolis]

merry christmas from st. louis. getting ready to roll SXSE.

[Cleveland Brown]

Originally Posted by LMich

I was also surprised to see so few minorities in the jury pool. Of the dozens of people summoned, that day, I could literally count on one hand the number of ethnic and racial minorities. It felt really odd. Ingham County isn't exactly the most diverse place, but over a quarter of the population is minority. Even with out that, they'd have probably still gotten rid of me. The defense attorney was just plain obnoxious and condescending. The prosecutor, on the other hand, was far more gentle and spoke to everyone with a bit more respect, kind of a role reversal.

That happens for a number of reasons. I think that the jury pool comes from driver's licenses and state ids, so people who don't get those don't get picked. Plus those who are too poor (no reliable transportation, without an accommodating job, would suffer a financial hardship...) are usually excused. And you'd be surprised how many people are driving around in inner cities without driver's licenses, insurance, current vehicle registration, properly maintained vehicles - especially in Detroit, where for the poor insurance costs are prohibitive, yet it's too dangerous (crime) and unreliable to take the bus.