REWIND: Juror #6 - May 31, 2012

I was on track to becoming Juror #6 in a double-murder case in Oakland last May. 

Finally, I was willing and ready to spend maybe 6 weeks of my life coming to Judge Morris Jacobson's courtroom to listen to testimony and then to participate in more weeks of serious jury deliberation.  Ultimately, I had surrendered all hope that I might be spared from the selection -- first the hope that the group number on my jury summons would not be called to come to the courthouse, then that I would not be one of the 80 to be called to the courtroom to meet the judge, then that the judge would excuse me for possible time conflict with my planned pre-paid vacation in August, then that the defense attorney would reject me for my opposition to gun ownership.  Since none of those things happened, I had decided to, at last, face the music.

I was one of the original 12 to be called to sit in the jury box at the start of the day.  The judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney explained the many different aspects of a trial, and at every turn asked us if we could honestly stay impartial given what they had explained so far.  I knew that I could keep an open mind and definitely could think rationally throughout the trial.  Many others said they couldn't, so they were excused and they were free to leave.  Hours went by and candidate jurors were dropping like flies.  The juror seat occupants kept changing, but Juror #6 stayed. 

Until the subject of bloody scenes and autopsies came up, that is.  The question was whether anyone in the room would be affected by the sight of bloody images.  I thought long and hard about this.  In the end, I had to admit to myself and to the judge that there was a reason I never watched CSI or Law and Order on TV, and it was that bloody crime scenes made me sick.  I said I didn't think I could think straight nor would I want to return to court after looking at sickening bloody evidence.  I said, sorry I couldn't stay.  And the kind judge said, "It's alright.  Thank you very much.  You may go."  So, I got up from Juror #6's seat, turned in my Juror badge to the assistant bailiff, and left the courtroom.

Surprisingly disappointed.

 I took some pictures before I went to this courthouse in Oakland on May 31, 2012.  Looking at it from Fallon Street.

 The courthouse view from 12th Street

 Alameda County Conference building on Oak and 12th

Oak and 11th Streets

Oakland Museum of California on Oak Street. The gates were still closed at 8:00 am.

REWIND: Lydge in SF - May 28, 2012

Lydge called me late on a Saturday night to say she was in the Bay Area -- visiting from San Diego -- and was checking to see if any of us, her old high school classmates, were available to see her that coming Monday, Memorial Day.  I said, sure I was, and that I would email the other Gels -- that's a nickname we have for all the members of our class -- that night to see what they were up to.

The next day, Reez and Mary Ann made some phone calls and just like that, a rendezvous was set for Monday lunch at our usual haunt, the food court at the Westfield San Francisco Centre.  So nice and so easy.  I love these gels.

Standing L to R:  Pat, Eileen, Lydge

Seated L to R:  Mary Ann, me, Reez

More photos in this album:  Gels - Lydge in SF - May 28, 2012

REWIND: Palm Springs, California - May 18-25, 2012

We spent a week in Palm Springs, California last May and visited Joshua Tree National Park.  We exchanged our week time share of an efficiency in Ridge Tahoe for a week in a 3-bedroom condo in Palm Springs.  There were just four us -- K, Jennifer, Charlie, and I -- so there was more than enough room in the condo.

We arrived there on a Friday night.  Jennifer had to work on her semester project for a course she was taking at San Francisco State.  It was due on Monday and that's when she finished and submitted it.  So, the first day we went to Joshua Tree was Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we again went to Joshua Tree, then celebrated Jennifer's 30th birthday that evening back in Palm Springs.  On Thursday, we went to Mt. San Jacinto State Park, riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.  On Friday, on the drive back to Union City, we passed by the San Bernardino National Forest, and went on an enjoyable one-hour hike.

The living in our Palm Springs condo

A restaurant in Palm Springs

On the drive to Joshua Tree National Park

Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree National Park

Celebrating Jennifer's 30th birthday in Palm Springs

We rode the tramway up Mt. San Jacinto.

Wildflowers along the road on the way to San Bernardino National Forest

Photo albums:

Our Condo in Palm Springs

Palm Springs

Joshua Tree National Park - Day 1 of 2

Joshua Tree National Park - Day 2 of 2

Jennifer's Birthday in Palm Springs

Mt. San Jacinto

San Berrnardino National Forest

REWIND: Richard's Birthday 2012

Richard's birthday this year fell on a Monday and he had a jazz concert at San Jose State that night, so we couldn't go out to celebrate.  The first time that everyone in the family was available for dinner was on the Wednesday after that.

May 14, after the jazz concert

May 16, at BJ's restaurant.  Instead of the traditional birthday cake, we got Richard a Pizookie (Pizza-cookie), a platter of cookies and a mound of ice cream.

Photo album:  Richard's Birthday 2012

REWIND: Mother's Day 2012

I told my children that for mother's day, I did not want to go out to a restaurant to eat.  I just wanted to have leftover food for lunch and pizza for dinner.  So, that's what we had.  I can't remember if that's the order we had it.  Maybe it was pizza for lunch and leftover for dinner.  Can't even remember what kind of pizza we had.  What, I didn't take pictures?!  It was a simple mother's day, really.  Just the way I wanted it.

I did take a picture of the fresh fruit bouquet they gave me, however.  This was Richard's idea, I think. Thank you, kids.