So I went to my jury selection today and I can summarize it into one phrase: "Hurry Up and Wait". Got there on time, but they didn't open the door for a while. Then we herded into the room and checked in and just sat. And sat. I think I looked out the window. And sat. Finally they told us there were 10 cases on the docket and the judges were determining which will require jurors. After that message I sat some more. I passed my boredom by watching other people's eyes. Most were annoyed that the two grannies were talking up a storm about their cats and grandkids. But they too, sat. Some men eyed the attractive red head near the window. And then a lot of people were debating whether or not to drink the free coffee that was provided. (Well at least that's what I think their eyes were indicating.) I was trying to get a glimpse at the older asian lady who was up in the first row with her laptop, I'm not 100% sure but she had this strong resemblance to one of my previous bosses. I couldn't figure it out. So after sitting and listening to different cell phone tones, the two judges finally walked in. This was it, moment of truth. None of the 10 cases were going to need jurors. Man. Should I be upset or relieved? Whole afternoon wasted. Oh well.

So the important question is now: Am I gonna get paid my $12.50?

Posted in: Life,

At the end of the day a Palestinian, Gujurati, Russian and I were talking about how stupid and often talentless rap is. And then Eminem came up, and there was a split reaction in regards to his lyrics. I guess we all ageed that his constant rehashing of his "tough childhood" and "hard life" has become so old - boring really. We get it already. But then someone mentioned that in his Mockinbird lyrics off of his latest album mentions they saved a jar which "almost had a thousand dollars". My Gujarati coworker says, "Man, 1000 dollars? I'd be rich back in India". We laughed, then we thought about it. He complains about his problems, but at the same time (1) he had place to live, (2) could put food on the table, and (3) actually saved money. And then we went off on that. My Russian coworker talked about life in Russia and how his parents survived war conflicts. And I mentioned that driving at night in Bombay I could see hundreds of people sleeping on the concrete, and families housed in makeshift scrap metal and covers. And finally my Palestinian coworker says, "I lived an okay life in the West Bank, but now I think about it, this Eminem, his complaints seem so small".

Everything is relative, I know. But to me, all these "hardcore" rappers who become tough over years growing up "on the streets" - I doubt they could last a day somewhere else, where it truly is "hard".

Posted in: Life, Music,

On December 9, 1854, Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England. Although the poem was written to memorialize the events in the Battle of Balaclava (October 25, 1854), the words still carry a great deal of power today, 150 years later.

Those 3 lines of the second stanza have been burned into my thoughts since I first studied this poem in 1992. Sometimes in life all we can do is accept our orders to "do and die".

Posted in: Philosophy,

Okay, I thought I was tired before this holiday. Lots of reflections: When you have a crazy rambunctious 9 yr old, bring lots of rope and duct tape. If someone asks "beer bottle or beer mug?", pick the former. If you feel like you got a cold coming on, don't hug babies who will sneeze and drool all over you. Don't try to take self pictures with digital cameras. If you're half mexican and half indian, and you can neither speak "mexican" nor "indian", then what are you? (Uneducated is not an option) And finally, as hard as you may think you worked, there was probably someone who worked harder. ... A little bit of consideration goes a long way.

Posted in: Life, Philosophy,

I just watched the video for Band-Aid 20, which was the 20 yr anniversary of the original Band-Aid done for hunger relief in Africa in 1984. And I must say, not as good as the original. More modern and has some younger faces, but I doubt as successful as the first one.

The little rap segment in their seems very much out of place and the singing styles don't fit too well. And the Bono lyric, that we was so insistent about, isn't anything spectacular. But I tell you what's killer, there's a segment where the performers are all watching starving children in Africa on a big screen. And all I can think is: "Are they intentionally trying to torture themselves?". Very odd, but moving (read depressing) at the same time.

Well, anyways, I hope it does raise money for the poor children in Africa. Even the worst off people in this country can find help, but those people there, well I can't imagine. (I hope you music pirates feel guilty for downloading that song!).

Posted in: Music,