Barb’s Burblings

Today I once again proved my awesome mini-golfing skills. (See July 25, 2004 entry for further proof.) It was a craft, come-from-behind victory. Of course, I am sure to do completely horrible the next time I play, but…I’m good with it. And getting a 2 on a hole that Brent and Katie each got 6s on sure didn’t hurt.
It was a beautiful day, one all too reminiscent of that day four years ago. It seemed so incongruous, the beauty of the day and the horrors that it brought. And though I think of it less and less, it still moves me. I can’t help but pause by the flag that they hung over the Pentagon (that now hangs in the entranceway of the American History Museum). And today, during the O’s game, a bald eagle circled Safeco Field. I don’t know what that means–nothing, probably, I know–but it was still a touching sight.
Current song in my head:
“God Bless America”

Well, I’m sure you’re foaming at the mouth to hear about my exciting day at jury duty. Thrills! Spills! Chips! Dips! Dorks! (…Sorry. This is what happens at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon.)
Anyway, the highlight of the day, by far, was the cheesy orientation film they played for us. It started with a reenactment of trial by ordeal, culminating in some poor schmoe being tied up and tossed into a river. Sank like a stone, of course. He was declared innocent and fished out. He survived. I was impressed! I didn’t think people survived those things. Anyway, we also got a history of justice in Ancient Greece. It was, as you can imagine, thrilling.
Ed Bradley and Diane Sawyer guided us through the rest of the video. Basically there are different types of trials. And many people in the courtroom. But one of the most vital components of the Fantabulous American Justice System is The Jury. Oh yes. Over and over, we, the jurors, were told how important we are. And I don’t disagree, but it was amusing how emphasized it was.
…And that was about it. That was at 8:30. We basically were told that we can’t leave until dismissed, even if we go to a courtroom but aren’t picked for that trial. Then we sat around. A lot. There were maybe two dozen of us in this huge room that could seat at least 150, so we all had a LOT of room. The chairs were fairly comfortable. I got a LOT of reading done; about half my book for book club.
Around 11:30, the Jury Mistress (unofficial title) came out and said that the courts had gone through their morning dockets and we weren’t needed, so we could go to lunch. We had to be back by 2. Well, that was ideal. I managed to run some errands and have lunch at home before returning to the Justice Center.
We almost had to be on a jury. Apparently one of the courts had called while we were at lunch and said they had a case that needed to be tried. But by the time we got back, the defendant had pleaded guilty. So close.
Anyway, so more sitting around. A woman in front of me fell asleep and started snoring loudly, amusing quite a few of us. And at 2:30 or so, the Jury Mistress told us that we wouldn’t be needed, and that we could take our $15 checks and go home, safe in the knowledge that we wouldn’t be back for at least 3 years.
So…not quite thrilling. I still wouldn’t mind sitting on a jury, or at least going through the selection process. But…not bad.
Current song in my head:
“Papa Don’t Preach” by Madonna

Yesterday was a flat-out Good Day. An e-mail came in the early afternoon saying that there would be free massages today from massage students; you just had to sign up. As soon as that came through, there was a little puff of dust where I had been sitting. I’ve been wanting a massage for ages, and I am really looking forward to it.
The other day, I had been listening to “This Nearly Was Mine” from South Pacific and thought to myself, “Man, Brian Stokes Mitchell would rock this song. He should totally sing it at the concert.” And lo and behold, I go to the Kennedy Center website to find that it’s on the program. Hurrah!
Then last night was, of course, the 10th anniversary of 2131. It was awesome just being there (and having front row seats, woo!). Seeing the banners on the Warehouse, everything. I lived in Montana when 2131 happened and though I watched the game, I made some rumblings about how athletes are overpaid and how Broadway shows don’t get recognized for achievements like this, etc. (I was deep into my Broadway phase at this point.) Anyway. When the game became official, and the banner changed, and the confetti poured out…it was magical. I was just disappointed that more people weren’t there for it (the attendance was only something like 20,700). Plus, the O’s won and I sat next to a very nice girl who also liked Brian Roberts, so that was nice.
Oh, and here’s another list of random injuries and other things that kept various baseball players from playing. I just cannot get enough of these. My new favorite: “Pascual Perez missed a start because he couldn’t find the stadium, drove 100 miles on a loop freeway around Atlanta, circled the city two hours, missed his exit five times.”
Current song in my head:
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones

How did I not know that the first season of The Mole was out on DVD? That got added to my Amazon wishlist so fast it would make your head spin.

So I was taking out a pair of jeans to wear to tomorrow’s game (I’m going to go directly from work) when I see two $5 bills peeking out of the pocket. Nice! It’s like free money. (It only took me about a minute to realize that it’s the change from the food I got at the Bowie Baysox game Saturday night. But still.)

This Labor Day weekend contains two anniversaries for me: I bought my lovely car a year ago yesterday, and it was 5 years ago today that I started working at my current place of employment. I’ve been promoted since then, but it still feels kind of weird that I’ve been working the same place since I left college. Almost like a betrayal of my generation. Aren’t we supposed to go through jobs more quickly than this? I like my coworkers and I like the benefits, and the job is fairly interesting. But…still. I don’t know.
Don’t mind me. I’m in a bit of a funk right now, which is fairly typical for me at the end of long weekends. Tomorrow will be good, though–I’m going to the O’s game, the 10th anniversary of 2131. Whee!

So, like most people, I’ve been thinking about Katrina lately. And last night, while I was feeding Colin, I was picturing being in a situation where I don’t have enough to eat or drink, and I have Colin, who obviously also has nothing to eat or drink. And the thought of not being able to provide for him in that situation is what gets me a bit teary. I can’t imagine what it must be like if you have children.
Anyway, if you want to help the animals affected by Katrina, please donate to the Humane Society or the ASPCA.

I thought I’d throw in a plug for donating to the Salvation Army, since this morning they had a rep doing an interview on the radio, and she had the loveliest Scottish accent. According to her, $100 will feed a family for two days, buy two cases of water, and provide a home cleanup kit (including broom, mop, etc.). Go here to help.