Drinking Before Jury Duty
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who always seemed to have jury duty. The letter would arrive in the mail and she would exclaim, “jury duty again?” and try to remember if two years had elapsed between her last summons and the current one. She was so unlucky in jury duty that she once received a summons to appear on a month-long grand jury, but she begged and pleaded her way out of that one (and is well aware that there are people out there who would love to be chosen for a grand jury, but our heroine is not one of them).
She realized that admitting how much she despised receiving jury duty made her sound like a “bad citizen” and “un-American.” But she explained to all that she grew up in Washington, D.C. where she had a healthy dose of government shoved down her throat every which way she turned so she didn’t feel too badly if she was scared about hearing the details of a murder trial.
This little girl was praying that when she called the summons line to see if her juror number was called, she would receive a message telling her that she was dismissed for two years. While she waited to make the phone call, she invented a fine, alcoholic drink which she named the Jury Duty.
So…vote now…will I or will I not be chosen for jury duty when I call the service line?
It has been a little under a month since we met, bitched, cried, comforted, and caught up each other on our cycles and lives. Pull up a seat and I’ll pour you a drink. Let everyone know what is happening in your life. The good, the bad, the ugly. My only request is that if a story catches your eye, you follow it back to the person’s blog and start reading their posts. Give some love, give some support, or laugh with someone until your drink comes out of your nose.
I have a ton of assvice in my back pocket and as a virtual bartender, I will give it to you unless you specifically tell me that this is simply a vent and you do not want to receive anything more than a hug.
So if you have been a lurker for a while (or if this is your first open bar as someone who found this space through IComLeavWe), sit down and tell us about yourself. Remember to provide a link or a way for people to continue reading your story (or if you don’t have a blog–gasp!–you can always leave an email address if you’re looking for advice or support. If not, people can leave messages for that person here in the comments section too). If you’re a regular at the bar, I’ll get out your engraved martini glass while you make yourself comfortable. And anyone new, welcome. I’m glad you found this virtual bar.
For those who have no clue what I’m talking about when I say that the bar is open, click here to catch up and then jump into the conversation back on this current post.
So have an imaginary cocktail and tell us what is up with your life.
0 comments
Well everytime I have received the summons, I was an alternate and never actually had to go. I am hoping the same thing happens to you.
I will have a large strawberry daiquiri with one of those cute little umbrellas on the top.
I am doing pretty good. Jumper is 32 weeks 4 days. Her impending birth is right around the corner. I now have to take insulin for my gestational diabetes and just overall trying to hang in there till Jumper gets here.
I’ve never been summonsed to Jury Duty…
I’ll have some champagne, please. I don’t think I really have anything to celebrate, but I just LOVE champagne!
I went to my VERY FIRST EVER RE appt yesterday, and my head is pretty much spinning because of so much information that was thrown at me. I haven’t written a post about it yet, but I plan on getting one up today.
Ah, jury duty. I always got my summons when I was leaving for another semester of college in another state. Then, the one time I get summoned in my own state when I was there, I was about to leave for vacation. I am one of those people, though, who really wants to do jury duty!
Pour me a mojito, and serve it with a nicely sculpted pool boy.
I am celebrating my blogoversary AND 200th post today. Wowzers. The man and I are also just taking a nice little break from the wild ride and pondering whether to find a new RE.
I’m kinda chilly today so top off a cup of coffee with bailey’s and kahlua please.
CD30 after IUI #2 (clomid) and my temps have dropped in the past couple of days, but not to the pre-ovulation levels. Not sure where things stand and I’d really love to have a drink.
I just got my 1st ever jury duty questionnaire this past week. I’d rather have hot needles stuck under my finger nails than be on a jury. Perhaps my tendency to partiality can pay off in not being selected?
I put off jury duty twice a couple of years ago (already scheduled out-of-town flight the first time and dissertation defense the second time), so when I showed up the third time, they made SURE I was called every single day. Never sat on a jury, but had to go each time. It was a pain in the rear. I’m voting yes, you’ll be called.
I’ll have a Midori sour, and use it to help ignore all of the concerns I’m having about P’s behavior lately. Thanks!
oh jury duty…I had to do it twice for some big-ish cases in LA. Not fun at all. Hope you don’t have to serve or if you do it is a quickie and obvious verdict.
May I please have something fun like a chocolate shooter? Do they make those? Two days ago I turned the corner and have found myself in a happy place. It is divine. Last night we heard the Snork’s heartbeat on a fetal doppler. Watching Grandmother tap her toe to the sound of the heartbeat is the best moment of this experience so far. Just thinking about it makes me feel so blessed and happy.
I’m buying a round of happy juice for everyone! And watch out, juke box, I am coming at you and getting ready to plonk my quarters into some ‘Groove is in the heart’.
But you didn’t tell us what is in the drink? Since it is virtual – I’ll try one.
Nothing going on here really – which is great news. I’m 35w4d and have a dr appointment today, normal check up. Hopefully I will receive the “everything looks good” without the “except your weight” added on again for the umpteenth time.
Shannon and I have both hit the Jury Duty trifecta…we’ve been summoned for the county court system, for the state district court, and for the federal court. At least the federal court allows you to just call in. The other two required missing work to sit in a hot, stuffy room with no book only to be told “Thanks, but no thanks. Here’s $15.”
I’d like to have one of the pink vodka drinks I tried in Vegas. I have no idea what was in it, other than some new brand of vodka and a lychee garnish, but boy was it yummy!
I’m a little paralyzed. I need to take that first step back on the path and make that damned appointment, but I just can’t seem to pick up the phone. I’ve managed all sorts of excuses. I’m so afraid of what doing another FET really means. I know it’s the right thing to do, but the brain and the heart just don’t seem to be on the same page.
I was just thinking it was time for a Lushary session. (Melanie, this round's on me, as promised!) I will have a Mike's Hard Lemonade cooler, I think.
What's going on in my life: the kickoff of year-end/busy season at work, & a bathroom renovation at home, eek. My life feels totally topsy-turvy at the moment — not to mention coated in drywall dust. One of those weeks where I am actually thankful not to have small children under foot. ; ) I'm hoping to find time for a Show & Tell post this weekend!
Oh, and I have never been called for jury duty (knock wood), but I am game to try the drink. ; )
My sister in law got called for jury selection for the Paul Bernardo trial about 10 years ago (probably one of the most horrific & infamous cases in Canadian history). She got her boss to write a letter saying she was needed at work. She didn't think she could stomach it anyway.
I’ll take one of your Jury Duties and drink with you Mel! I hope you don’t get picked!!
My BIL has grand jury duty next month, but it’s only supposed to be a couple of days. LUCKILY, cause then Travis might have to WORK for a living if he’s out! ha!
I’ve never had jury duty myself…though I did attend a trial once.
I’ve never been called up for jury duty. Could it be my totally oddball IRL name?
I’ll take a bottle of good, chilled French sparkling wine, some tart crisp apples, and a hunk of stinky cheese. It seems my ectopic has been “resolved” as my numbers are dropping and I’m bleeding like there’s no tomorrow for the past few days. Not surprisingly, I feel pretty crappy.
Nothing a couple pints of bubbly won’t fix.
I would like a glass of white wine, but pour it into a big red wine glass please. I’d also like some little crackers and naughty soft cheeses please.
I am really happy these days. Turning the corner in to the second trimester has done a world of good for my mental health. I never ever thought I’d make it this far, so I’m feeling eternally grateful to the universe. 🙂
Mmmmm, what better way to cap off summer than with a Long Island Iced tea? Let’s go with that as I sit, twiddle my thumbs and wait for insurance to kick in before heading to IUI #5. While I hang out, polish off the peanuts in the dish in front of me and take a long swig of that sweet tea, I realize time’s a wastin’, so I’m hoping to take the edge off.
Perhaps while I wait, we’ll discover that you’ve been granted a lifetime pass on all jury duties as they decided you’ve put more than your share of time in. Somehow, though, I suspect this may be unlikely. One can still hope. 🙂
I am the belle of the ball when it comes to jury duty: they LOVE to put me on juries. When I get called, I am guaranteed to serve on a nice long trial.
I am back on my own continent, navigating the jet lag along with my new job and trying to manage the old job.
IVF #2 in a holding pattern while I work out the new health insurance that comes with the new job.
I had some fabulous blueberry wine in Japan. I’ll take some more of that. I don’t really drink (less than once a year), but one night in Tokyo I didn’t get the memo. The logic: If I can’t possibly be pregnant, might as well have a few drinks to set the stage for… karaoke!
Crazy trip over, back to crazy regular life.
I’ve never been called for jury duty. Maybe it is because we move so often? Matt has only been called once and we moved before he could go.
I’d love a bottle, I mean glass of wine.
I always wanted to be on a jury. I was picked but got cut. I didn’t take it personal though.
Hope you don’t have to go through it if you dont wanna.
I’m just enjoying my time off of work with my daugther.
I’ve gotten 2 summons, but only had to go once, and didn’t even get chosen (it was on my very first valentine’s day as a married girl so I was pissed).
I’d like one of the fruity rum drinks called “coco loco” that I had on our cruise last year…tastes just like koo-laid!
Gpa has cancer, I’m getting ready to start injections again, and well, I just need my emotions to stay at bay a bit longer.
I am afraid to write this as with my luck I will now be getting a call to jury duty, but I only received a summons once. I hope you don’t get it. I know people who actually enjoy jury duty. They should take it for all of us.
I need a dirty martini. Notice the word need.
I posted a few questions on my post today so anyone with an opinion would be much appreciated.
Been called twice–once in VA once in NC. The time in VA I was actually the foreWOMAN in a murder trial–lasted a week. Pretty intense…
My call in NC resulted in me sitting in the jury room all day–got to finish a book at least. AND there was a bomb threat at the court house that day!
Since this is virtual, I will have a colllld glass of Pinot Grigio–toasting the approach of fall–glad to have summer 08 behind me.
Been called twice, once in Buffalo and once in MD. The first time I was getting my masters and doing research that summer, so I was able to get released. The second time, I sat in the court house until 2pm, when they let us go. Nice and easy, no excitement at all. I finished a book the second time.
I’ll have a huge shot of tequila, followed by a margarita- best not to mix my liquor.
Both kids have been sick, my husband has been sick, and the baby is still sick. Fever for 10 days. Had to have bloodwork done today, and we’ll see how to proceed. When I took him to our Ped today, he was wheezing up a storm, so at least I know that it isn’t my imagination. I’m hoping he gets better soon so I can get back to work. Thank goodness I can work from home.
Mmm, it’s a little early to start drinking – but WTF – I’ll have the a vodka martini with limoncello, pineapple juice and Galliano. Okay, now what is it with Americans and jury duty? That would be like having a job to me – and an interesting one at that. But you have a life and children and I understand you’d rather be with them. I could certainly use that experience as an actress, but I couldn’t blog about it, could I? But I could go on 20/20 and talk about it later. Or if I slept with the accused, I could be famous, or infamous, like Gillian Guess.
The only time I’ve been called for duty, I called the court house the night before and was informed that all jurors were off the hook. Later a friend who knew the judge told me that it was because he traveled to watch the Final Four and root for the hometown basketball team. Yet another reason to root for the Tar Heels!
My life is calm at the moment, pregnancy uneventful. I am still just SO tired, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that will pass soon. I would have thought by 18 weeks I’d have a little energy! Maybe I need a Red Bull and Vodka 🙂
I’ve served on a jury once. It was pretty cool, but at the same time, sad. The woman was being charged for “possession with intent to sell” and they brought her 3 year-old daughter into the courtroom to sway the jury not to convict her (we did anyhow).
I will have a fresh blackberry margarita, please. Had one of these the other weeks and it was a-m-a-z-i-n-g…went home and promptly made myself two more.
Introducing myself: I’m 38 and feeling like I have no time left to figure out this infertility thing. Didn’t get married until I was 36, and been trying for a year and a half. Been through 4 failed IUIs,1 IUI w/a positive turned miscarriage, and just started my stims for our first IVF. This was a hard choice for us, a second mortgage is no way for a newlywed couple to begin their lives. So, anyhoooo, really trying not to stress that at the end of this thing we may or may not have something to show for it. Really trying to figure out how to have some joy in the midst of all the garbage. Pour me another, and one for all my friends.
I guess I’m one of those lurkers coming out of the woodwork. I’m in the 2WW, but given the cramps and dropping temperatures, I’ll risk a virtual single malt scotch. Lagavulin if you have it. Neat please.
Short story. I’m new to whole infertility thing. We began trying a year ago. After two chemical pregnancies, we started getting tested. Things are unexplained on my end, but there seems to be a morphology issue on his end. Nobody really knows if morphology means anything, but our RE said it might give us the option to go directly to IVF, jumping right passed Clomid and IUI (I’m a MA resident, so there are certain steps if insurance is to cover it. But I’m not complaining).
It’s all a little overwhelming, and I thank you for this site. It takes some of the sting out of it. I don’t have a blog, but I’ll happily sit here with my drink and quietly enjoy the company.
I pendulum between “poor me” and gratefulness/awe for the lovely little being in my arms. Spending two days every week as a single (working!) mom is a challenge and a half though. Hats off to those who do it 100% of the time.
Give me something with caffeine – Irish coffee sounds good!
Never been called.
I would love a Ruby Red Raspberry Martini please. Delish!
I am more of an observer and commenter (is there such a word?) than a blogger.
Trying to get our act together to finish our homestudy to adopt. some days I feel it and other days I don’t. Is that a bad sign? I am insecure about the whole thing right now.
Well, back to my tent. Power is still out in southwest Ohio.
I’ve got a hankerin for a bloody mary. Heavy on the horseradish please!
I(knock on wood) have never been called for jury duty! Phew!
So we got the results of my husbands last SA, and his morphology has gone down. Its now at 8%. The acceptable range is 14% or higher. Does this mean we’ll have to do IVF? Anyone have any experiance with this?
I’ve never been called up for jury duty and I’m knocking on wood as I type this! My mom, who always *wants* to be on the jury always gets kicked off during questioning because she admits she likes to read law-related fiction. I figure if you wear a t-shirt that says “I *love* CSI!!!!” and keep mentioning your love for Law and Order, John Grisham, and true crime TV shows, that might do the trick!?!?!
I’ve been LUCKY enough to have NEVER been called for jury duty.
I’m also lucky enough to have recently won the IF lottery.
1st RE appointment in two weeks.
Also celebrating a fantastic job offer that finally came through this week!
Pour me a….ummmm….oh just a glass of whatever you have open.
*goes to check actual fridge and pours glass of wine from open bottle*
I’m almost afraid to say it as that would tempt the jury duty gods but I’ve never been summoned. Now if I do get summoned I’ll be pissed. Since I’d probably have to take time off work and go home for that.
I think I’ll have one of those yummy sunrise margaritas (did I have that last month too?)like they have at chili’s. I’m celebrating my plan to move on to my next IVF in November!!!
Amaretto Sour please…never been called for jury duty!!
Short story. 29 PCOS, husband 26 azoospermia. Supposed to go back in August for final test after the biopsy showed 0 sperm but we just can’t do it. For some reason no news is the best news. I’m just not ready to call it quits. Or spend $300 for a test we’ve done 5 times with the same result. Not ready for adoption either. I’m sick of it all and to top it all off I think my SIL might be pregnant.
Don’t go bashing. It’s something I’m having to deal with. I know it’s not the end of the world but when your brother tells you he’s not ready and she has no sympathy whatsoever for our situation it hurts she wants us to be pregnant together oh that’s just so sweet! She actually told me to hurry up. Does she really think i’ve been putting this off for a year and a half for the freaking fun of it?? That’s about it.
Now that I’m done can you make that a double. I need it fast!
I’ll have a tequila sunrise, thanks.
I was called once for jury duty but I’m still not a US citizen, and of course, couldn’t go for that reason. Two more years and I won’t have that excuse. 😉
I found this blog a few weeks ago (thanks Mel for being here!) when I had just received the news that we were dealing with a male factor issue. After many years of TTC, turns out the problem was totally on his end. Because of that, we are skipping clomid, IUI, and going straight to IVF.
It was a very tough decision for me, but thanks to the many blogs I’ve been reading, and a few great and wise friends who helped disperse my fears, I’m now ready for it.
I started a blog to work through my feelings too.
A toast to all of you and your beautiful stories weaving this web of friendship and support.
Good Evening Ladies!
I’ll take a strawberry daiquiri, please!
I am just two days away from not working and a little sad about it.
Other than that, just getting ready to move in a week.
Oh and for the first time, I’m actually praying my cycle starts tomorrow, it would mean the third cycle in a row that was the same length, a personal record!
Hi all! An appletini sounds great right now!
Let me introduce myself. I’m Michelle (34) not new to this whole infertility thing but new to the blog thing. My husband and I have been TTC for 8 years. We have had 2 miscarriages and 2 ectopic pregnancies. I was diagnosed with PCOS about 4 years ago and since then I have been through hell! If I would have known there was a community like this I would have gotten online a whole hell of a lot sooner. I am currently on a break to save money for IVF and to save my sanity. My last ectopic was this past July.
So I would like to propose a toast…To all of you… I have felt so alone for so long. I am so glad to have found all of you because I do not feel alone any longer and it is a great feeling. I appreciate all who have stopped by my blog and all who will. Your support is great and much needed. You are all strong, beautiful, wonderful people. I hope to be talking to you all a lot more and I wish everyone all the success in whatever path they are on. Thank you…Thank you!
Oh P.s. I have never been called for Jury Duty (although I probably will now) and I hope you don’t get picked!
Been called for jury duty, but either got the"excused phone call or never got called for a panel. I agree with my husband that they should have professional juries.
I want to drink (really, really bad) but am afraid I will become one of those hysterical drunks. After 8 weeks the baby's heartbeat stopped and I had a D&C. Heartbreaking, but I was trying to find the positive (the donor embryo "took" but because of a fluke we lost it.) But then the other shoe dropped. A week and a half after D&C I had sharp abdominal pains. I finally went to the doctor and it turns out I had an ectopic pg (now at over 10 weeks) and the tube ruptured and needed to be removed. Emergency surgery after 30 hours of internal bleeding. The doctor told me the next day I almost died. Turns out there is a 1 in 10,000 chance of having a uterine and an ectopic at the same time. We are always on the wrong side of statistics. I'm back to work this week teaching. Exhausted and sore. I won't let myself deal with (or feel) the sadness because I'm afraid if I start crying I won't stop. When will it end???
I got called for jury duty for the first time this year and I forgot to call the night before so I was late. And then I didn’t get picked. Which I was kind of disappointed about, but then not. Because the kid on trial for murder was like 17. He didn’t look old enough to shave. And I don’t think I could have handled it.
So I hope you didn’t get picked.
I never drink but this week has been so crappy that I will make an exception. How about an amaretto sour? I used to love those in my wild and woolly days.
We found out our cycle failed and although this is only the second month of trying, it feels like more because we tried for so many months a few years ago without a positive result. I thought that I had healed from the pain of a few years ago but I was wrong. When there is no second line of the sticks I just seem to fall right back into that nasty pit. Oh, also, I had an ugly cry at church on Sunday. You know the kind I am talking about? Where you wish the ground would open up and swallow you so no one can see the snot drip down your face.
Yep, you might as well pour me two!
I’ll take a rum and coke. What can I say? I’m a 1940s gal.
Maybe it’s because I’m *older* but I’ve been called four times. Served twice, though one was dismissed shortly after we were seated, as the accused copped a plea. The other jury was a rape case. I hope I never have to do that again.
Lost my beloved Dachshund yesterday to *old age*. For such a little bitty thing she sure has left a big hole in my heart.
Feeling raw and ripped open by the day care report card that said he cried for Mommy *all day*.
Vodka.
Was called for jury duty once, but was out-of-state for school. Never been called again, but would love to. Course, now that I’m a lawyer, they’ll never put me on a jury.
Are there any magic drinks out there that will make me lose 30 pounds with no consequences? I’d like that so we can get on this f-ing train already.
Amaretto sour, please. It’s been a fairly good month. I completed my first Clomid cycle in August, but to no avail. My doctor upped my dosage to 100mg this month, so hopefully things will kick into high gear and give me a better chance. AF came without the aid of Prometrium, so I ovulated on the Clomid! And I have lost six pounds since my last doctor visit. All good things. Not so good things: my grandfather was in a bad motorcycle accident and lost his left leg, and the pregnant girl next to me at work grows ever more pregnant. It’s hard to see sometimes, but she knows what I am going through and treads lightly about pregnancy-related issues. Hope everyone is doing well today.
Just some water please. I’d hate to be that woman who pukes at the bar. Oh trust me, I’ve been her shamelessly before. The circumstances are just different this time. I’ve made it to 11 weeks. I’ve thought a lot about our egg donor the past week or so. What an un-sung hero!
I’ve been called for jury duty a few times. Once I phone in and was dismissed. Once I went in, was selected, and then dismissed (it was an assault with a deadly weapons case and my evil ex-BIL had been charged and convicted of that for trying to run my mom and I off the road).
I’ll have White Russian…yummy. My consult with the high risk doc is next week (so my new OB will give me an rx for lovenox). And, my 11 yr old sprained his ankle in PE yesterday.
Never had jury duty and I am OK with it! Sounds boring, I like excitement!
I’ll have a vodka dirty martini with 3 olives, please. It’s been a rough few weeks!
Never been called to jury duty, knock on wood.
And thankfully I can’t have a drink right now since I’m about 9 weeks along! After another struggle w/ pcos we finally have one on the way! Super excited, but also super tired. Have my first appointment next week and am getting a little nervous as I want to find out everything is alright.
http://www.NaturallyKnockedUp.com
I had jury duty once. I figured I would go in there and show them my membership to the Brecht forum, be labeled a pinko, and get out of it. No such luck. I was assigned as an alternate, sat for several days at the court house, then the case settled without us ever going in to court.
As for my drink, I’ll take a nice glass of red. Make it Chilean.
And all that’s up with me is grand. New insta-mom, have a job that I LOVE, but am currently taking my family leave. Enjoying watching baby and daytime television. Enjoying watching, finally, finally, my husband be a dad.
I am so glad when you open the lushary, Mel. I’ll have brandy alexanderS (note the plural), as the weather seems to be changing up here rather quickly and brandy alexanders always warm me to my toes!
My life this month has been a mixture of *sigh*, *argh*, and *sob*. :p Between a programmer who is freaking out about a project, to a manager who is freaking out about the same project for different reasons, to a husband who is freaking out because we have to let go of our cats (my allergies are just too bad now), I want to be completely blotto!
Oh, and the “education session” about IUI is upcoming. Excitement and trepidation in one fell swoop. Yay.
No wonder I have developed a tic in my left eye… 😛
I am a non-citizen and I have revceived three summons, all of which I had to decline due to the non-status.
I would like one last summer sangria.
My life? I’m rediscovering the state of mind known as happiness and the other called gratitude.
How corny is that??