Okay, peoples... am I back on track? I think it's a little early to make such a claim, but I DID DO 22 knee push-ups today (pillow under the knees)... I did them in 3 sets: 8, 7 and 7. I think I will do another day of that, then try it in two. I sure feel a lot more pathetic than strong... I've never had any upper body strength, but on top of that I am both out of practice AND heavier than I should be by a lot. Gotta work with what it is!
I also wonder how much of my weekend flop is I feel like I am running out of new content... The topic remains very important, but I don't really know new angles to approach it from. So let me reach out to families. I have never been a veteran, but I have loved people who are suicidal and it is frightening and disempowering. If you know anyone who is struggling to support someone struggling, know they, too, need your support.
Writing Life
I also need to get back to getting organized. I've been called for jury duty later this month, which, should I be chosen, will throw a wrench in things, so I think in the first half of the month I am going to PLAN... maybe write a few scenes to get a feel for some of the options of what I might write... maybe think about a short story... but then plan on really implementing the plan after than threat of jury duty is off the table.
I have really mixed feelings about this jury duty thing. It sounds tiring, paying attention all day. Surrounded by people. The introvert in me would like to get out of it. At the same time, the justice process fascinates me. Then again, I am a person likely to get kicked off a number of sorts of cases... I am strongly anti-business most of the time. And I am high in empathy, so likely to hear a defendant sympathetically... I guess it will go how it goes...
Have you ever been on jury duty? How did it go? Did it throw a wrench in the rest of your life?
9 comments:
Keep up the good work!
Man I hate having to pay attention (especially that close) to something all day.
I have been called three times. The first time was for a drunk-driving case and was only a day to two. It was interesting to watch the lawyers. The second time I was in the process of moving, so I wiggled out by not being eligible by the time the call date arrived. The third time was when one of my girls was still a baby, so I was stressed out about it. I remember hauling the 5th Harry Potter book in to court to read during the first day and by the end, the case I was assigned to was settled! Hurrah! Just a long day of sitting around, but no actual jury duty. These days I could handle being called better.
My husband has been summoned for Jury duty twice. TWICE. I haven't ever been asked. Both times he got there and they said, "Nah. We don't need you." *shrugs* Maybe you'll luck out, eh?
Turn it around. Make observations about the room, procedure, and the people involved. You never know when a story may take you into a courtroom. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
Hi Hart:
Yes, I've been summoned but with a last name like Williams, I wasn't called. There is a strong chance that you'll be dismissed when you tell them you're a writer.
Good luck with those push-ups.
I'm surrounded by people who want to commit suicide. I have had those thoughts too. But I know that given a few days it will pass plus I don't believe in suicide being a born again Christian.
Once, my youngest had a terrible thing happen to her and sat in my arms weeping. I had read something so I relayed that to her when she kept saying she wanted to die. I said, "People who commit suicide end up following their loved ones around trying to apologize, but their loved ones can't hear them." She didn't commit suicide.
Nancy
Jury duty does throw a wrench in life. I been called but never selected to be on a jury. I think I look unfriendly because the sluggish justice system irritates me to no end.
I've been called for jury duty but didn't have to serve.
I'm still doing my pushups!
I had a chance to be on a criminal case but had to skip that day for a Master's final. The judge excused me that day, but he wanted me back the next day and I was put on a civil case. It was interesting, but wow some of it was so boring. I don't know how some folks stayed awake. It was a learning process and I enjoyed it. I say go for it, it will only aid in the writing, as all life experiences do! :)
I've received three summons--or so I remember. Only had to go in once, and I sat and read a book for a couple hours before we were all dismissed. So I hope you too luck out, Hart.
I know what it's like to be suicidal, but not to the extreme, heart-breaking degree that so many vets are. Good thoughts and good luck to them all.
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