Pop a la Mode

So while I was in jury duty, I had a two hour lunch break on Monday. There was a blood drive going on in the lobby and it was due for me to give again. I thought, what the heck? I don’t have anything else to do for two hours.

Now I warned the nurse that my veins are hard to find and she needed to be sure of where it was before she started.

Well she wasn’t - she left the sucker in my arm and just moved the needle around to find it. I almost passed out - I’ve never passed out in my life. They threw my feet up in the air, slapped an ice pack on my neck and under my shirt and made me tap my toes together. The whole tapping toes thing really confused me.

They finally bleed me dry and my arm is sore but I’m okay. The next morning, I wake up and my arm looks I’ve been manhandled. If you want to see a picture of it, click for more. I warn you - it’s nasty.

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Court is OUT of session!

I have been on jury duty the past three days and it was the longest three days of my life. Sitting and waiting are not my cup of tea. I’m convinced I was being held hostage by the state government.

I was kicked off two cases: one civil and one criminal. I’m trying not to take it too personally.

I really am trying to accentuate the positive. I promise.

But it’s hard when everything feels like it’s falling down on top of you. And really it’s just work. Ruffin, whom I love to work with and has been with me since she was an intern, turned in her resignation last week to move back home to Arkansas. I can’t be mad because I would do the same thing if the right job came along.

I’m going to miss her - she’s one of the strongest Christians I’ve ever met and it’s such a blessing to work with someone like that.

But that’s okay, we’ll manage. I’ve survived here for seven years because I’ve been able to make it work no matter how short-handed we are.

Thankfully, I’ve had a few fun things to keep my mind off it this week:

1. Grey’s Anatomy! The new season starts tonight! I am ridiculously excited about this.
2. The Greek Festival is this weekend! It’s definitely fall when the Greeks roll to town. I’ll be heading down to get my fill of dolmathes, spanakopita, gyros and baklava. (Ang, I’ll think of you the entire time I’m there!)
3. Tomorrow’s Friday! What more do I need to say?

 

I usually have my iPod on shuffle during the work day but the past couple of days, I’ve stuck with Eva Cassidy. Specifically the song “American Tune” which was written by Paul Simon. I don’t think I can come up with any better way to describe the past few days than this (and yes I’m feeling this melancholy):

Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken

And many times confused

Many’s the time I’ve been forsaken

And certainly abused

But it’s all right, it’s all right

You can’t be forever blessed.

When I think of another working day

I’ve just got to get some rest, I’ve got to get some rest.

I knit but I don’t think I could knit this.

And honestly, I’m not sure I would want to.

Is it really Wednesday? I don’t know about the rest of the world but I feel as if Friday is still looking way too far off.

This week has been one of extremely high emotional highs and very low lows - very draining. Yesterday morning I woke up with a headache that didn’t go away until I popped two Excedrin and drank a Diet Coke. Maybe it’s the weather; maybe I’m just tired but I feel like I’ve been through ten rounds with Muhammad Ali and I still have 20 rounds left to go.

There are some bright spots:

• I get to watch Jerry Springer cha-cha his heart out on Dancing with the Stars. I Tivo’ed the first performance last night and I can’t wait to see it.
• I have a new book that’s sitting on my bedside table - Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee. She’s one fascinating lady and I’m looking forward to delving deeper into her psyche.
• We’re interviewing someone today for the vacant spot in our department. Everybody keep your fingers crossed because we desperately need the help. I’m hopeful but not quite optimistic yet - too many people lie on their resumes these days so pardon me for being skeptical.