A week of power

[klwilliams]

This photo appeared on my FB feed, taken by a good friend from my first year in the SCA, in Jararvellir, Middle Kingdom. I'm wearing my first suit of armor, and it's shiny enough that I may not have authorized as a fighter yet. I love this picture.


Last week I went up to San Francisco for jury duty. A couple of months ago some of my friends had just completed their jury duty, where they had served on cases. Once a trial is over the jurors are free to discuss aspects of the case, and they were talking about what had happened. I mentioned that I'd never been picked for a jury, though I'd like to be, but what I'd really like to be on is a grand jury. Guess what showed up in the mail the next month?

So I reported to federal grand jury selection, at 8:00 a.m. in San Francisco. This meant getting up before 5:00 to catch the 6:18 train, then a cab over the federal court building, since the nearest Muni stop is too far a walk for me. I was pretty sure that when I showed up bleary-eyed and with a walker they'd send me home. Nope. Grand jury selection is different. The jury consists of 23 jurors and 20 alternates, and I was called up at prospective juror Number Six. (Yes, I got the Prisoner reference. No one else did.) There was a judge and two federal DAs who asked us questions. We were asked our name, city, and what we did for a living. When I said I was an electronic discovery expert, the judge and lawyers smiled. I told them I was unemployed but looking, and when I got a job my coworkers would be jealous. They also asked what other adults lived at home and what they did for a living, so I told them about my British novelist husband (and encouraged everyone to buy his books). There were similar sorts of questions after that, then the judge and attorneys went back "to caucus". I was asked to come join them, and I was sure that meant they'd ask me about my walker, but no. They asked if I'd like to be the jury foreperson. I was pleased and truly honored to accept. So now I'm Number One.

Jury duty is every Thursday for the next eighteen months, and I'm not allowed to talk about anything that goes on there, and I won't. I do keep secrets. This is just to let you know I'll be busy on Thursdays for a while.



Last year at my writing group, Katharine Kerr told us that if we wanted to write a novel we had to make it our highest priority, and actually write the thing. I have a novel I've been wanting to write, but I hadn't written much of anything for the past couple of years. I decided that yes, I needed to make writing a priority, but how? So I started hosting write-a-thons, where I invite my writer friends to spend most of a day writing at our place. Those have been successful, and I've written new stories and updated old ones. There is a new series of anthologies out, the Young Explorer's Adventure Guide, and I really enjoy reading the stories. The deadline for the next one was this month, and I decided I'd submit a story.

I had an idea, and even a title ("The Merry Adventures of MaryAnn"), and I'd intended to work on it during our trip to England last March. With long plane rides and train rides, that seemed ideal. However, I was laid off March 4, which has taken the wind out of my sails. I did no writing on the trip, and ended up in April with no story (yet) and a May 15th deadline. So I wrote it. I made it a priority, and set aside time to go out to the clubhouse and write. We had a writing group meeting the weekend before and I finished my story the night before (and mercifully my group read it and commented on it, despite my lateness). I updated the story (and fixed the ending) in time to send it in the next weekend to meet the deadline. We'll see how it does.


I think that's a nice photograph to find for this past week. I'm trying to keep the energy going. Tonight we're actually going to see a movie.

Comments

[beanolc.livejournal.com]

I've been on two juries (short trials) and dismissed from a third. I am very curious about your Grand Jury experience! Looking forward to hearing about the process, when you can.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

That is a terrific photo! Wow!!!

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

I first thought your head had been Photoshopped in for a Death & Boobies tie-in.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Really? And I fought for you in some of that armor.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

Fabulous Photo!

What is your armor made of?

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

My armor was made out of 12-gauge steel, which I think is standard. I sold the last of my armor when I moved seven years ago, and I don't remember that much about it anymore.

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

I cannot tell you how much I love that pic. <3

[tiger-spot.livejournal.com]

That is a great photograph!

I am glad that you are set up to have the kind of jury experience you want! I have been called for jury duty twice, but once I was excused because we were about to move interstate and once I was just required to check in by phone each morning until they determined I wasn't needed.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

1. Next time you need an author head shot, please use this photo.
2. Grand Jury: Only one day per week? that's better than I thought. And I know you can't talk about it, but are you only on one case or multiple cases?

[lferion]

That is a great picture.

[beanolc.livejournal.com]

I love this photo. Forgot to say that earlier.

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

That is a fantabulous photo. And I hope the grand jury and story both go well.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

BRAVA!!! for getting chosen for Grand Jury duty. My father-in-law back in NYC served regularly for many years and always enjoyed himself immensely.