and they call that jury doodie!

dog doodie indeed! the entire month of november I found myself at the mercy of the new orleans criminal justice system. there was a couple of thursdays thrown in for good measure, but a total of six days spent in a room, with uncomfortable chairs, unknowing temperatures, and I felt like a hostage.

my first court case lasted all of ten minutes. we went upstairs, 55 jurors, and they brought out a man in chains. He was accused of first degree murder. He looked at us, and then spoke something to his lawyer. then he plead guilty. case over. 20 years. The judge bascally said that he brought us up, cause the guy WAS guilty, and they knew he'd fess up.

Hmmm, and drug dealers, and armed robbers get longer sentences. I looked up the guys case, and he did some pretty brutal murder. I don't think that getting 20 years, and possibility of parole for good behavior, is any way to solve this guys glitch. Or Mine.

then the next five days passed. sitting sometimes four hours, sometimes five, and today six. I got called up on a case of heroine and crack cocaine. they said it would be a case that would take an entire day. I pretty much have had the flu for the last week. I haven't felt well, or slept well. Thanksgiving was spent pretty much sucking down theraflu, and sleeping. I was not in a good mood, so when they asked if anyone had a problem with drug dealers? I spoke up and said, I'm a graveyard bartender, and I haven't slept. I see drug dealers every day, and I really don't see the difference between what he's sellin, and what I'm sellin. A drunk driver killing an innocent / a drug dealer selling heroine. Both guilty, so as far as I'm concerned, I don't think I'm really going to pay much attention to this case. I'm tired, and I've been up since yesterday afternoon.

Another guy spoke up and said he was a graveyard worker, and hadn't slept either. I basically closed my eyes, and just sat there, pissed off, tired, and waiting to see if my entire evening was about to be ruined.

about ten minutes later, the judge excused me and the other gentleman. We were told to go back downstairs, to sit and wait for????? I waited til about two, then got up, went to the front desk, and asked the woman WHEN do I get to go to lunch. She replied, What? you didn't go to lunch? I said, NO cause I got called to a case, and then sent back down here. I would like my hour lunch. Then the guy that was excused came up to my side, and said the same thing. The lady at the counter, made a few calls, and gave us ALL kinda attitude. Then the gentleman spoke up, and said, there's no reason to be rude, but WE BOTH were excused, and would like the same treatment as the rest of these folks.

another call, and suddenly, she looks at us, asks for our badges, and says go. I say, to lunch? she says, no your excused. So then the gentleman says, we have to come back? she glares and says , you can go home.

wow, I'm getting paid six dollars a day for five of the days. getting 20 for the two days I was called up. the check won't arrive, if it does at all, for another six months. In the meantime, It cost me cab fare several times to get there, because I work late, and I gave up, and lost my tuesday night shifts at work, because I work crazy shifts. 10 on sat nights, 14 or 15 on sunday nights, and another long monday... with the fringe fest and such the weekend before thanksgiving? I really got NO sleep, and ended up sick.

the justice system is flawed. For doing my civic doodie? I was treated like a criminal by the women who check you in. Glared at, each time I went to the bathroom, or went to get something to drink upstairs. The chairs? uncomfortable, since I have problems sitting so long. From one day to the next, the temperature would either be roasting, or freezing. courtrooms, always freezing.

all in all? I almost got put on the henry glover case, which is STILL going on a month later. How they can even try that case here? is beyond me. How they can even think that its going to be a fair trial? just proves my point. Orleans Parish? needs to get their shit together.

Jefferson Parish? one day jury duty, and 30 dollar pay.
WTF?

thanksgiving, turkey's, and the state of mysogyny

happy holidays to those who partake in the turkey known as thanksgiving. I personally? only partake of it, because I get invited somewhere. Its an okay holiday, but My parents always went to Hawaii years ago, to get away from it. An entire month, spent on the beaches, and in the warm breezes of the south pacific. Eating a dinner in a restaurant, and avoiding the big cooking mess.

My favorite thanksgiving of years ago, was in Arizona. Camping out in the woods, on property, and we had a great feast, and party. Chilly weather at night, and a bonfire that was huge. hiking in the dark, drinking, carrying on, and good friends.

Other times of fun, have been shortly after katrina, when Kim was working on bourbon, and I spent the day riding my bike round the city, stopping to see him, for a small tasty plate of food. avoiding parties, and just enjoying the warm weather.

last year, went to lou lou's, and met heather and her son. a very special thanksgiving, with many new friends, and just a wonderful day. I have been invited again, but have a nasty cold, so I don't know if I'll venture out.

FRINGE
The fringe festival was fun. I got the opportunity to parade with the burning spear tribe, and my sister, and her son. We had a really great time, and then brought it into the hi ho lounge. It was an interesting show, talking about 2012, and the rise of feminine energy in the world. Mayans predictions, mother earths anger, and what the future holds. She then proceeded to do readings in the room. Pretty right on the money, with everyone.