Any Port in a Storm

I grew up in a town called Wantagh on Long Island, New York. In this town lived a family named the Bakers. For some unknown reason the Bakers had the biggest sail boat you could ever imagine, in their driveway. No matter how big you are thinking - the boat was bigger. Each time I would pass this house -I could never prepare myself on the enormity of this boat. It towered over their home. To get it to their house - the Bakers needed a special truck - and if I recall- they had to adjust power lines in the streets. I imagine a slow painful process. I picture that once they got it in their driveway - they said it would take hell or high water for them to move it again. It's true. This thing sat for years. 5 years - 10 Years -20 Years - in their driveway.

Well my sister emailed me last night - and let me know that the boat has finally sailed -as it was gone. Bon Voyage Baker family - and have a safe trip. (Ps the odds of this boat being sea worthy is zero -but hey - any port in a storm - right?)

Pennsylvania 6-5000

Today I took the F-Market to work. This doesn't happen too often, as I usually walk - but I love the ride. The F-Market is a street car route in San Francisco that goes along the Embarcadero (San Francisco at her best). The trains used on this route are old retired, vintage street cars from around the US – and 1 from Milan Italy. Basically- it is a big ‘in use’ street car museum.

I tell you – every time I get on one in the morning- I can practically here The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra playing in the back ground. It’s so old school – I love it. The F-Market is one of the reasons why I love San Francisco. I sometimes feel as if I am collecting the trains. I often get excited when I discover a new train. I feel as if I am a kid finding a rookie card in a pack of baseball cards. 'Oh cool!! A New One! Look - San Diego!!'.

For the record - today I rode in on Philadelphia .

The longest mile

run
Originally uploaded by LeboRocks

This Saturday I ran 20 miles for my preperation for the NYC marathon. Ow. But all things being equal - not too shabby. If I had to do another 6.2 miles - I could have. Though I iwll admit - I was on the verge of wakling. It says I did 22 miles. I think my ipod/nike plus needs to be calibrated. 20 miles. Awesome.

12 Angry Men

And so it begins. The time honored tradition of jury duty. There must be like 200 people here. The maximum capacity for the room is 315. We are pushing that for sure. Maybe more. The room is old and dingy and depressing. And as fate would have it - I get no cell service. I am willing to bet same will go for my Verizon air card, for my laptop. Swell.

I glance at my watch - 8:30 on the dot. At least I am punctual. The question is - will the court clerks be?

I choose a loan chair not in a row. It has a broken back - which is basically always in recline mode. That's fine for now. The room is defiantly warm. Perfect atmosphere for napping. Wonder if the court house offers free wifi. I did bring my laptop. I notice that I am not near a power outlet. I can only hope that the courthouse DOES offer wifi - and my battery reserves in my laptop is up to the task

It begins. Clerk announces shell take care of all of us at one time. I am shooting for a mass dismissal (this actually happened to me in 1998).

People are still piling in. More people than chairs. The jury support staff thanks us for our time and explains the process. The clerk - Jordan - is quite the comedian actually. Either he is very funny- or hates his job. I am going for both.

The video begins. I learn how the criminal justice system works. The video stars former jurors. I was hoping for a celebrity from law and order. Heck I would have settled for Bull from night court. Hmmmmm whatever happened to Richard Moll? Did you know ‘trial by jury’ is mentioned 3 times in the constitution?

There is a crazy guy here. He reminds me as the moyl from the briss episode from Seinfeld. He came in yelling about not being able to park (though I am convinced the yelling is his normal quiet voice). He loudly explained to all 300 of us there was no parking and he had to us a metered spot. This incident made us all laugh. He doesn't have a chair and is pacing back and forth nervously. Him I like and feel he'll offer something more comical as the day goes on (sadly – he never did anything funny or entertaining since the initial parking meter question).

After the video - we get a quick break. Jordan says at 9:30 they will need a lot of jurors. This could be it. Crazy guy seems to missing - but we are on break. He could be checking his car.

9:30 they announce that they have a computer problem and can't print out the roster for the jury. Wonder if I should help. Oh for the love of Pete - just reboot the thing.

Roll call asking for 100 jurors. Somebody’s name is Geronimo. Cool.

The called like 100 names. I was not called. Can’t tell if this is good or bad. As the 100 people leave one of the jurors comments that I have a twin. I look like somebody they know. Hmmmm –I bet one day I shall meet this twin and we will battle. Note to self – keep eyes out for twin.

I now take a seat at a table. The room does offer wifi. I am not near power –but my battery is at 95%.


I finally get called. – and after many hours dismissed. It was a case of the ice cream man French kissing an 8 year old girl. The prosecution asked if we had a problem with an 8 year old girl on the stand. I stated that I had a problem with the 8 year old girl being cross examined by the defense. I felt she had been through enough – and I couldn’t stand to watch the defense try to disparage her testimony. I also felt the defense attorney was a bit sleazy – and I would have voted for the prosecution just by the very nature of the case. Oddly it was the prosecution who dismissed me. Oh well.