Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Peaches vs Apricots

First off, I'm not a fan of apricots.  Not sure why.  I'd prefer peaches, any day.

The dreaded Tuesday (Jury Summons) came and went.  It was a long, tiring day.  I tried really hard to go to bed at a decent hour, considering I was going to have to get up at the butt crack.  Set my alarm for 4:15am, the hour I'm usually heading to bed, not getting up.  I tried hard to get to sleep, but it just wasn't going to happen.  Got out of bed at 11ish and stayed up for about 30 minutes.  Headed back to try again.  Gave up about 3:15am, turned off the alarm and just figured I'd be a zombie all day.



Not knowing what the traffic might be, we left the house about 6:40am.  It was a bit foggy.  Traffic was smooth sailing and we arrived at the Jury Plaza with plenty of time to spare.  The summons indicated free wi-fi, but I opted not to take my laptop so I wasn't forced to keep up with it.  Good thing I didn't.  First rattle out of the box, they called 65 numbers, which included me.  Sixty five, holy cow!



Out of 65, they were going to choose 12.  I crossed my fingers I wouldn't be one of them, since it would have taken the rest of the week.  Getting up and getting ready one day was bad enough.  I did NOT want to have to do it again, any time soon.

The judge was a talker.  She talked to us for about 45 minutes.  Then, the prosecutor, who looked like a baby, talked to us for about 30 minutes and they let us eat lunch.  Had to walk a couple of blocks.  Good thing I wore fairly comfortable shoes.  After lunch, the defense attorney talked to us.  He was a buttery smooth talking, Tyler Perry type.  He used an analogy about peaches and apricots.  Said his grandmother used to make the best peach cobbler.  One day, his grandmother didn't have enough peaches, so she added some apricots.  Needless to say, he didn't like apricots in his peach cobbler and asked his grandmother not to do that again.  He then proceeded to explain that he wanted peaches in the jury box.  Out of the 65 of us, only 12 would be peaches.



Prior to selecting the 12 peaches jurors, we were asked questions, some individually, and gauged by our responses.  At one point, he asked if anyone would be bothered by the defendant not testifying.  Well, of course I had to raise my hand and state that if someone was being accused of something (aggravated assault with a deadly weapon) I felt like they should darn well be willing to speak on their own behalf.  He asked me, if they didn't, could I still do my duty as a juror?  I said, yes.  He pointed to the jury box and said, that would make you a peach.  I said, whoa, can I change my mind, I don't want to be a peach!

After all the allotted time was used and questions answered, jury selection was announced and I was NOT chosen.

For just this once, I'll settle for apricot, even if I think peaches are better!



I'd like to thank my dear, sweet hubby, for driving me downtown and suffering through it with me.  He's a peach!

PS:  Guess who has jury duty on Wednesday (today) at 1:30pm?  Yep... hubby.  Got his notice right after mine.  His is local.  I would have gladly traded him.

36 comments:

Gigi said...

I'm glad you turned out to be an apricot!

mamahasspoken said...

Oh, knock on wood, I've only been called to jury duty twice. Both times I got out of it. First time because I was doing my student teaching and the second time because I was working and no subs are found for my area, it would have been too much of a strain on the school system.
Yes there are times that I love my job ;o)

Liz Mays said...

I've heard that some people enjoy serving jury duty. WHO are those people? I feel badly that I'm not one of them, but I'm just not.

Apricots all the way!

Help! Mama Remote... said...

LOL!!!!!Are there people.that like doing jury duty? It's such a boring day not to mention what they pay.

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

Well think of it all as blog fodder. I can't wait to hear about your trial.
The characters, err peaches, you do this with should be a motley crew to observe. :-)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

LOL.. well I haven't been through this process and I'm glad. I like both, but I don't want to be either for this occasion.

Sally said...

Oh, I don't blame you for settling on apricots! :)

I've only served on a jury once, and of course they couldn't tell us that the "defendant" was up for other numerous crimes. We had to agree to non guilty since there was no absolute 'without a doubt' proof. :(

THINGS YOU'D NEVER GUESS ABOUT ME said...

DO YOU AMERICAN DUTY! Vote guilty and try for life in prison. The death penalty means an automatic appeal.

Saying THAT would have gotten you out of jury duty.

George said...

I'm glad you were an apricot -- I hope your hubby is as well. I think I would have answered the lawyer's question the same way you did.

Furry Bottoms said...

That is so NOT a good analogy that the defense lawyer used! I get the idea, I get the concept... I get the meaning, OK. But he may well have been calling all the peaches bitches! He has to be careful with that one!

NCmountainwoman said...

So glad you did your civic duty. I was summoned the second month after we moved back to NC. My husband four months later. Hard to believe it really is random.

Mom of Hooligans said...

Good for you, speaking your mind! BTW,I never liked apricots until I went to Italy and was able to pluck one fresh from a tree. Oh my goodness, it was delicious!!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, Glad you were an apricot ---even though you REALLY are a PEACH....I hated Jury Duty --and luckily, was only chosen once or twice in my entire life. (Guess I was always an apricot!!!! ha)

Hugs,
Betsy

middle child said...

So....were you picked to be on the jury? I kinda got lost there. BTW, I love Nectarines. So that's means I will never be summoned, right?
I also understand your aversion to apricots. Small, fuzzy, kinda wrinkly? What, ok, I will stop right there. I didn't realize this was a family blog. Kisses!

~mel said...

I've been summoned twice for jury duty but both times they were settled out of court ~ so I guess I got the pits. Fun post - Thanks for sharing :)

Shrinky said...

Oh my, poor you, I had no idea you could be compelled to serve somewhere at such a far away location to you - that sucks! I'm glad you got the result you'd been hoping for - and for th record, you will always be a peach to me!

Betty Manousos said...

i'm glad you turned out to be an apricot! aw..and i'd definitely have answered the lawyer's question the same exact way you did.

big hugs!

Copyboy said...

Apricots sounds about right. I served Jury duty and loved it [just in case anyone is watching this comment thread].

Ms. G said...

Nectarine is a much more cheerful word anyway! I know you didn't want to be stuck in a courtroom this week : ) I just told them my sister was a cop which is true and I'm pretty sure is the reason they sent me home.

Deborah said...

Middle Child is KILLING me. lolol

So . . . which are you? Did you say? Still waiting?

I would LOVE to serve on a jury, but have only been called once and was rejected right over the phone! harumph

CiCi said...

That sounds so tiring. What did your husband do all day while you were in jury room? I guess if I got a jury summons I would have to go to Omaha and would not like to drive there at all. It would be nice to have someone drive me. Your husband sounds like a super peach.
Did you stay up late that night after the all day jury experience, or were you so tired you crashed early?

Sarah said...

I'm a peach girl too! Something about the fuzz, I think.

I'm one of those weird people who WANT to be chosen for jury duty, but that means (via Murphy's law) that I will never be chosen.

gmarch53 said...

I must be a Peach cause I just LUV Jury Duty! This Blog Entry was so well written...I L. O. L. all the way through it. BTW, your Jury Waiting Room looks just like ours! *G*

So. Cal. Gal said...

Personally, I like nectarines. ; )

And I'll never serve on a jury. My uncle was murdered and I'm VERY biased towards prosecution. Courts don't like that in a potential juror.

Lori G said...

Ah, the magic you weave. I Love Your blog and I Love Peaches.
I always knew You were one! Very proud of you for hoofing it out and for speaking up! Raising your hand? You go Girl!
We need more people with common sense like you involved! You make a positive difference in peoples lives and don't you ever forget that MsA.
Love ya

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I got called into a Murder trial where the defendant had already convicted of chopin' his wife up but got a retrial on the grounds that he didn't get the best legal counsel.

I was still teachin' at the time and didn't get chosen. Whew...

BTW: He was sent back to prison.

God bless ya and have a fantastic weekend sweetie!!! :o)

Sarah said...

But have you seen the flowers of apricot? They are much prettier than peaches. Glad you were an apricot and his comparison was totally irrelevant in this case, imo.

Vicki Lane said...

I'm one of those weirdos who actually enjoys jury duty -- the one time ever served. Usually I'm excused because I belong to 'radical' organizations -- like The Nature Conservancy or The Sierra Club.

Chana Meddin said...

I will never eat another apricot without thinking of you for the rest of my life! And, upon reflection, remembering that you live in Texas, proud of the death penalty! Peaches and Death Penalty...we have it too, just not...quite so proud...so how come after I filled out even the preliminary paperwork they actually called BEGGING ME NOT TO EVEN COME AT ALL, EVER, NOT EVER FOR THE REST OF TIME? I COULD GIVE SEMINARS...IF ONLY I KNEW..."THE SECRET OF THE APRICOT!" Guess what happens in Texas STAYS in Texas! Dear hubby...

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That's funny that hub's turn followed. I'm glad you weren't a peach in this case. I prefer apricots.
xoRobyn

tattytiara said...

Well told - congrats on not being the rare fruit!

Pat Tillett said...

I've been called several times, but never had to do more than one day! I always wanted to get on a long case, because I got paid for it. No luck...

Barbara said...

I had never been called to jury duty and was so excited when I finally was last year. But after a day that was very similar to yours, I admit I wasn't disappointed when they declared me an apricot. And your husband is a peach to drive you down there and wait with you!

Unknown said...

Heard about this jury duty.... But this never happen to my family or anyone we know.
I'd make a lousy juror, not so easily swayed by talk.
And if you ask; i'd prefer peaches.
Lipton made killer ice tea with peach infusion!

Jenny said...

This was worth making my mouth hurt laughing.

What a GREAT story.

It hurts to move my mouth too much from having a tooth pulled, but seriously girl...this story made my day!

I will not be able to look at peach cobbler the same ever again!

Alexandra said...

I have been summoned 3 times for jury duty.

Each time, I was sent home.

I've always wondered WHY>