I got a summons a couple of weeks ago to the jury selection group scheduled for today at the new Superior Courthouse in Merced. I almost didn't go... oh my.
Luckily I had posted the notice on the door leaving the house. Luckily I looked at the notice before leaving today. It said that I had to call in before today to find out if I would need to go. I called in. Sure enough I needed to go.
It was scheduled for 10 AM. I have two classes in the AM. I arrived about 20 minutes late because I didn't get a sub for the morning. The court clerk noted that I was late but said that they were still accepting slips.. Whew. I waited along with 150 others. At 11:46 the clerk came back and said that we will probably be needed in the afternoon so that we were to come back by 1:30.
I rushed over and made some plans for my 5th and 8th period classes and laid my fate to the secretary. She said that she would find cover.
Back at the court we waited until 2:45 and were all dismissed without seeing the judge or a courtroom. Apparently they were scared of the creepy looking jurors that we represented and pleaded out.
Not much was done today on the backyard project, however for the previous two days a trunkload of work was done. I think that man was out to do the soil compaction tests . They are required before the foundation can be poured. Several homes in the extended area had problems with cracks in the foundation. Of course everyone says to themselves, Why did the city approve of that construction? So... 900dollars later we hope they will be able to pour. We are looking at Thursday or Friday when that will be done. Tony the contractor told me confidently yesterday that he thought that we would be through by December. Or Christmas. Sue is hoping to be through by Thanksgiving.. Only time will tell.
In the meantime...
Sue has found us a place to rent for the day until the construction work can be completed. It is only 2 blocks away. They take animals too.
Tomorrow, we go after the contract again.
Peace Out
Pat
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Can you answer a Simple Question?
The question was simple:
What fruit is used to make lemonade?
If someone thinks its a trick question it might go many directions. The first answer was I think pineapple.
Then one of my other students said, there is something called pink lemonade.. thats my favorite.
What I had to do was tell them the old adage.. Who is buried in Grant's tomb? The answer is Grant.
Then the student answered lemons.
So they continued to pick drinks as the area of question. I asked the next contestant ,"what was the main ingredient for a virgin pina colada? All the students were independent teams. So one said to the other.. its pineapple juice. I had offered up 1) lime juice 2) coconut juice or 3)pineapple juice as choices. The student didn't trust the support of the other student in a game situation and guessed coconut juice. I told him that he was the product of reverse psychology. The other kid knew he wouldn't trust his answer and then choose the other answer because he was sure that he wouldn't be given the right answer.
On this weeks Bill Maher, one of the guest said that they didn't trust the government to get into their Medicare. (Go figure)
Have a great Tuesday.
:) Pat
What fruit is used to make lemonade?
If someone thinks its a trick question it might go many directions. The first answer was I think pineapple.
Then one of my other students said, there is something called pink lemonade.. thats my favorite.
What I had to do was tell them the old adage.. Who is buried in Grant's tomb? The answer is Grant.
Then the student answered lemons.
So they continued to pick drinks as the area of question. I asked the next contestant ,"what was the main ingredient for a virgin pina colada? All the students were independent teams. So one said to the other.. its pineapple juice. I had offered up 1) lime juice 2) coconut juice or 3)pineapple juice as choices. The student didn't trust the support of the other student in a game situation and guessed coconut juice. I told him that he was the product of reverse psychology. The other kid knew he wouldn't trust his answer and then choose the other answer because he was sure that he wouldn't be given the right answer.
On this weeks Bill Maher, one of the guest said that they didn't trust the government to get into their Medicare. (Go figure)
Have a great Tuesday.
:) Pat
Monday, September 17, 2007
What to do
When half of your group and not the younger set arrives 2 and half hours late after they set the time and place it gives you pause.
I suppose cakes had to be made for each of the birthday people. But.... we all traveled several hours to get there.
The folks in Merced were not amused. Loud pronouncements about ever meeting them again where presented again. They were awarded again rewarded by our presence this time.
From Sacramento came Linzi, Dom, Cammie and Acacia. From Merced came Pat and Sue. And from Pinole, Kelly. All of these people were on time and had a great time. The group from Morgan Hill were extremely late, Mom and Dad rode up from Morgan Hill with Bob and Mikie Sue. As the table was held and it didn't look like they were coming soon, Sue, not used to sitting up for so many hours to begin with retreated to the expedition to lie down. She missed dinner because she was so mad about the events and the waste of hours.
Is it going to change? Probably not. Will adults take correction for their actions. People at the table brought up psychological reasons for this.. which may or may be in play here. I guess we need to contain interactions so that we do not put ourselves vulnerable again.
Pat
I suppose cakes had to be made for each of the birthday people. But.... we all traveled several hours to get there.
The folks in Merced were not amused. Loud pronouncements about ever meeting them again where presented again. They were awarded again rewarded by our presence this time.
From Sacramento came Linzi, Dom, Cammie and Acacia. From Merced came Pat and Sue. And from Pinole, Kelly. All of these people were on time and had a great time. The group from Morgan Hill were extremely late, Mom and Dad rode up from Morgan Hill with Bob and Mikie Sue. As the table was held and it didn't look like they were coming soon, Sue, not used to sitting up for so many hours to begin with retreated to the expedition to lie down. She missed dinner because she was so mad about the events and the waste of hours.
Is it going to change? Probably not. Will adults take correction for their actions. People at the table brought up psychological reasons for this.. which may or may be in play here. I guess we need to contain interactions so that we do not put ourselves vulnerable again.
Pat
Saturday, September 15, 2007
A Good Turn
It is so hard to do a good turn. You never know when people will take advantage of you. It used to be a no brainer. We picked up hitch hikers and we helped the community whenever we could. Now we wouldn't dare.
Tonight I was approached by a tall skinny Chinese boy of about 22 years of age. He was at the dollar store with his girl friend. He asked if I would give him a ride home. I asked where was home? He said at Castle Air Base. (That is about 9miles north of Merced). He claimed the bus had forgotten him. It was about to get dark. I said that my wife was still shopping at the 99cent store and that I would give him a ride when she was through shopping.
When Sue was though shopping, he was still there with his girl and two other chinese boys too. The all had multiple bags of stuff they had purchased form the Food for Less Store, Ross, and the 99cent store. We rearranged our stuff to the back of the truck and they all piled in. We dropped them by their air base dorm. They were very appreciative.
They said that they were there for a year and about ready to go home. They were learning to be airplane pilots and had 40 hours of flight time with a multiple engine plane. Many more with a single engine plane that they characterized as "crappy."
All needed help with their English but were trying hard.
It was good to help them out. They have been stuck in Atwater for a year without a car or a cell phone. Their bus had taken them to San Francisco twice.
While we were their we ate Enchilades and chili rellones at our favorite Mexican place in Winton.
Happy Saturday to you all.
Hope to see many of you at the Oakland Spaghetti House tomorrow!
Love
Pat
Tonight I was approached by a tall skinny Chinese boy of about 22 years of age. He was at the dollar store with his girl friend. He asked if I would give him a ride home. I asked where was home? He said at Castle Air Base. (That is about 9miles north of Merced). He claimed the bus had forgotten him. It was about to get dark. I said that my wife was still shopping at the 99cent store and that I would give him a ride when she was through shopping.
When Sue was though shopping, he was still there with his girl and two other chinese boys too. The all had multiple bags of stuff they had purchased form the Food for Less Store, Ross, and the 99cent store. We rearranged our stuff to the back of the truck and they all piled in. We dropped them by their air base dorm. They were very appreciative.
They said that they were there for a year and about ready to go home. They were learning to be airplane pilots and had 40 hours of flight time with a multiple engine plane. Many more with a single engine plane that they characterized as "crappy."
All needed help with their English but were trying hard.
It was good to help them out. They have been stuck in Atwater for a year without a car or a cell phone. Their bus had taken them to San Francisco twice.
While we were their we ate Enchilades and chili rellones at our favorite Mexican place in Winton.
Happy Saturday to you all.
Hope to see many of you at the Oakland Spaghetti House tomorrow!
Love
Pat
Raising Cain in the Backyard
Its amazing what three workers can do to a backyard in a day.
Our construction started Friday. Three workers completely ripped out the redwood grape arbor. They took a jackhammer to the patio and it is completely gone. The twenty year old grapes are ripped up and in the container in the front of the house as is the 9year old orange tree.
The cats and Sue are looking for some new quarters during the day. It will only get worse.
But progress is being made to get a new foundation for the addition.
I just got the CD in the mail of the music from the movie the Music Man with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I am waiting the original Broadway version with Robert Preston and Barbara Cook. I am interested in the differences in production. I found someone on EBay that was getting rid of their Broadway show tunes CD collection. Of course I had to get a few more.
My lowest class is still working on Texas three second hold em. New members in the class. My subs really like this one... not.
Oh My.. Shipoopi...Buddy Hackett.
Love to all
Pat
Our construction started Friday. Three workers completely ripped out the redwood grape arbor. They took a jackhammer to the patio and it is completely gone. The twenty year old grapes are ripped up and in the container in the front of the house as is the 9year old orange tree.
The cats and Sue are looking for some new quarters during the day. It will only get worse.
But progress is being made to get a new foundation for the addition.
I just got the CD in the mail of the music from the movie the Music Man with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I am waiting the original Broadway version with Robert Preston and Barbara Cook. I am interested in the differences in production. I found someone on EBay that was getting rid of their Broadway show tunes CD collection. Of course I had to get a few more.
My lowest class is still working on Texas three second hold em. New members in the class. My subs really like this one... not.
Oh My.. Shipoopi...Buddy Hackett.
Love to all
Pat
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Lost pounds and follow up
Lost 10 pounds from all the walking and watching the input (just a little)
Concern: trace of blood in urine... referral to a urologist.. could be a kidney thing or nothing at all.. will check it out within two weeks. U will be the first to know.
Drove to Turlock and had the lift readjusted... it doesn't drag anymore.
Ate a mini meal at Pantaera... danish to die for and from, no Panera.. Mom bought a new blouse at Ross.
Love
Pat
Concern: trace of blood in urine... referral to a urologist.. could be a kidney thing or nothing at all.. will check it out within two weeks. U will be the first to know.
Drove to Turlock and had the lift readjusted... it doesn't drag anymore.
Ate a mini meal at Pantaera... danish to die for and from, no Panera.. Mom bought a new blouse at Ross.
Love
Pat
Health Report Card Day
Sue and I are going in to get our quarterly health check. We go in to get our blood check to see how our blood sugar and cholesterol is doing and some idea about our health. I am hoping for some good news regarding my walking regime. It has given me a metabolic boost that I almost don't care whether the blood is better.
Last night I listened to the messages and it appears that we have been approved for the expansion of our house and kitchen. Sue was ready to pack it in and wanted me to call Tony last night.
So we are ready and he is ready and let the games begin!
We need to have our lift checked for positioning. I put a call into the two man company in Turlock to see if we could drive up there this afternoon and have it inspected. So far no response.
Tuesday night was a long one. The meeting started at 3:59 and continued to 8:30. Our fired and then re estated negotiation member presented his case. The president presented her case in written form. I suggested that it be presented as historical documents and no discussion be entertained. That seemed to work except that the negotiator wanted the group to ask questions. None were forthcoming.
I am working on a watercolor of Linzi fishing in Lee Vinning creek just beyond the borders of Yosemite. Its got great foreground, middle and background. I trying to learn the value of distance.. the further away the lighter it is represented as a method.
I just received an order of from Amazon. In it were two books by Benjamin Barber. His latest is Consumed and Jihad and Mcworld. I also got the pre 9-11 book The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas L Friedman.
I hope you have a great day. Think of us we are on fast to get the blood taken today.
: )
Pat
Last night I listened to the messages and it appears that we have been approved for the expansion of our house and kitchen. Sue was ready to pack it in and wanted me to call Tony last night.
So we are ready and he is ready and let the games begin!
We need to have our lift checked for positioning. I put a call into the two man company in Turlock to see if we could drive up there this afternoon and have it inspected. So far no response.
Tuesday night was a long one. The meeting started at 3:59 and continued to 8:30. Our fired and then re estated negotiation member presented his case. The president presented her case in written form. I suggested that it be presented as historical documents and no discussion be entertained. That seemed to work except that the negotiator wanted the group to ask questions. None were forthcoming.
I am working on a watercolor of Linzi fishing in Lee Vinning creek just beyond the borders of Yosemite. Its got great foreground, middle and background. I trying to learn the value of distance.. the further away the lighter it is represented as a method.
I just received an order of from Amazon. In it were two books by Benjamin Barber. His latest is Consumed and Jihad and Mcworld. I also got the pre 9-11 book The Lexus and the Olive Tree by Thomas L Friedman.
I hope you have a great day. Think of us we are on fast to get the blood taken today.
: )
Pat
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