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***High Expectations*** by sireena at 2/21/2015 10:26:34 AM Last night was a rare night. No kids at home, no plans, nothing that I HAD to do. The last couple of weeks have been brutal...the dreaded JURY DUTY!! I was surprised that I was chosen as typically, social workers are not picked. The process was interesting (this is a federal case) and the first time I have been called for a federal case. The process is much different than it is in the lower courts. The hardest part is for the majority of the time, you are stuck in a rather small room with a dozen people you don't know and the only thing we all have in common, we are not allowed to talk about! But as the days pass and we become acquainted, it gets easier. The ratio is interesting--4 women and 9 men (one is an alternate). Jury deliberation, when the time comes, will be a treat. (You know how I love to debate) It is exhausting though. The week prior, I had to get as much at work done as I could. My clients typically don't function well when in "limbo". I could not give them an exact date as to when I would return but assured them that I would be checking voice and email often and responding when I was able. (Also had to define what an "emergency" is...ha ha) So...last night, I rented a movie, "Gone Girl". It has received pretty good feedback. It was "ok" in my opinion. It seems, at least in the last few years, it takes more to "WOW" me when it comes to movies. I plan to make a list as I did last year and see every movie that is nominated this year. The only one I've seen thus far is "Boyhood". Kayla and I liked it but I can see how many may not. It's not a "t&a" flick... no guns, blood or guts, rather it's just about people. I look most forward to seeing "American Sniper", I really like Bradley Cooper and I am familiar with the story of Chris Kyle. The Oscars will be interesting as well as we see "political correctness", racism and Hollywood favoritism in all arenas. Should be good though, I don't think Beyonce is nominated for anything. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, if you are buried in the east, stay warm and safe! Spring will be here before you know it!

Comments
charli2858	2/21/2015 10:36:13 AM I am 100 pages into the book, weird... i couldn't care less at this point if he gets nailed or she gets found! Hoping lack of empathy for the main characters is part of the experience!
sireena	2/21/2015 10:37:33 AM Yea, by the end, I was kinda hoping they'd both disappear! LOL
sireena	2/21/2015 10:54:32 AM Thanks paw. From the outside, I guess I am somewhat of an oxymoron..."conservative social worker"??? LOL...but I do see things from all sides before rendering a final decision. There is often much more substance to what isn't being said as there is to what is being said. While I cannot discuss details, there is an aspect to this particular case that causes me a little "internal conflict" but I'm aware of it, so I won't allow it to influence my decision.
sillylaugher61	2/21/2015 12:22:22 PM Just make sure that you do your duty and to focus only on the evidence presented. Good luck!
thepatriot1776	2/21/2015 12:22:53 PM It always bothered me every time I had jury duty its as though they wanted a guilty verdict before it starts.
justaman65	2/21/2015 3:13:16 PM Jury duty Sucks.
sireena	2/21/2015 3:31:37 PM It's not so bad once you "accept" that you must do it. I'm learning a lot about something I had limited knowledge about, so that's always a good thing. @Patriot, I have not had that experience myself. In a former position I held, I was in court several times a week to testify. The judges were always very careful and dutiful in explaining to others about waiting to hear all of the evidence prior to rendering a finding or verdict. There are times that it comes down to who presents the best evidence in the most convincing manner (as we've often seen in high profile cases) but I believe that more often than not, justice is served.
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:48:17 PM So you were not that impressed by Gone Girl? That is one I want to see too, along with American Sniper. I know American Sniper will definitely NOT be a feel good movie, but I still want to see it. Hope you make it through Jury Duty.
sireena	2/21/2015 4:58:39 PM @ forever...honestly...the one thought I had coming away from that movie was whether or not the frontal nudity scene was really Affleck or not? If so...good for HIM!!!
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:00:17 PM SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! *kidding*
sireena	2/21/2015 5:02:05 PM No worries...there are boobies in the movie too!
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:04:30 PM Affleck Boobies!?!?!?!
sireena	2/21/2015 5:09:07 PM LOL....no! I should do a "google" search and see if that was really him........
sireena	2/21/2015 5:11:38 PM Okay, not that you guys care, but here's what I found: "Well, we know why Jennifer Garner‘s always smiling! When Gone Girl premiered, that shower scene with Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike was all the rave, because for a brief second we saw a glimpse of his goods. Now you can get the full view. WARNING: NSFW video!"
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:13:37 PM LOL.. NOW... I feel so inadequate.
sireena	2/21/2015 5:16:14 PM It's probably an implant! You know how those Hollywood folks are!!!!
ca33idy1	2/26/2015 9:49:09 PM Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper is a GREAT movie! ; ) If you haven't seen it already...