Tuesday, October 19, 2004

D'oh

We're going into a third day at the trial. Personally, I would've preferred to go really late tonight and not have to do the extra day, but the panel is two-thirds women, and I understand the idea of not making the ladies walk around downtown after dark. At any rate, only the final stages are left, so with any luck we'll be done by lunchtime.

Still can't talk about anything, of course, but there will be tales to tell when it's done.

Chivalry's not dead; it just smells funny: I saw some old-school manners in action today, as several men actually gave up their seats to ladies on the train! (I would have been one of said men if a few more ladies had boarded, but in the end, I vegged with my newspaper for the duration of the trip.) It almost made me wish for rain, just to see if these same guys would spread their coats over a puddle for the ladies to walk on. (I talk in half-jest, but it really is refreshing to see this kind of behavior, and to see its recipients accept it as well.)

Speaking of the train, I still love it; tomorrow I ride the Blue Line from downtown Garland in the optimistic hope of getting done by midday.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

maybe if the men had ponchos, they could give their ponchos to the women and the women would say "now is that a real poncho, or a Sears poncho?"

- John Guari

Kev said...

That depends on the size of the guy and the size of the girl. Like if you (Halfling) were the guy and that harpoonable trombone player you went to HS with was the girl...umm, I wouldn't wanna see that at all. ;-) But yeah, in general that would be interesting.

James said...

Tough break about heading into you 3rd day of Jury Duty. Will be praying for ur financial-ness that you can pick up out of this and still be all fine. I'm still only 19, so Jury Duty hasn't crossed my path just yet (In Australia, we're on the electoral role [where they pick ppl from] and can vote at 18). But surprisingly, a couple of friends of very similar age already have been called up. It's quite an interesting system over here... My parents haven't really done it that often, and they're both hovering around the 50 age bracket. And other ppl of similar age have done it 4 or 5 times. Just luck of the draw I guess :)

I think our jurors get paid substantially more than you do... I think it's upwards of $AU50 per day. Looking at around $US30 or so. Pretty good in comparison I spose! I was quite surprised at that.

And just a comment regarding the trains; ur train system must be a pretty nice one then - no one reeeeeally looks forward to riding a train here in Sydney-town. I mean, it's ok, and it *certainly* gets u where you want to go (majority of the Sydney population work right in the centre of the city and you can catch a train from *many many* surrounding suburbs into the city quite easily and quickly), but there's been quite a few issues recently with trains being on time. Our train system is a State government autority, and Sydney's really been breathing down our State government's neck about trains being on time, cleanliness, and breakdowns. But I spose just the reason no one really looks that forward to catching a train, is cos we're all just *so* fond of our cars and having that transport.

Some ppl in Sydney consider it absolutely mental driving into the city to do something. Quite often in the last 6 months, I've done quite a bit in the city... restaurants, met up with friends, concerts. And the city is about 30kms (as the crow flies) from where I live. Takes about 30-40 mins by car, bout 45 minute train ride. But driving around the city is *really* tough (many one way streets, crazy drivers, contruction) and parking is never easy. If you want to go in and park in the city on a saturday night (or any night really), it'll cos u an average of about $AU12 for the night. Expensive yes, but I just very very much prefer driving into the city (just for the ease of going somewhere else later, and not really wanting to catch a train at night) than catching a train.

James said...

Oh, and in reference to ur question, Kev, about being fined here in Australia if you don't vote... yep that's true. Voting in Australia is compulsory. I think it's awesome. We are a true democracy, because when a government gets elected, it really is what the ppl want. Not just a percentage who could be bothered to vote.

I mean, you get the odd ppl who winge about voting, but generally, we all get into the election (we just had a federal election 3 weeks ago) and head down to our local primary school and vote sometime during the Saturday :)