Listen to "Stepping Off", Read by Doug Bradley.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Twelve Good Men and True

No Monday Morning Miracle this week, other than the miracle of not being selected for a jury yesterday on my first foray into the US legal system.

It was an interesting day that began with a head-scratch moment when the jury selection process was explained as the principle of 'Vodyre' (pronounced by all ... Vo Dyer) Investigation lead me to the true phrase, Voir Dire, clearly a French phrase whose meaning was far clearer than 'Vo Dyre'.

After getting put on a panel, from which 12 jurors would be selected, we then spent the day 'seeing' (Voir) and speaking (Dire) with the respective legal counsels until, several hours later, they chose their favourites and let the rest of us go home until the next time.

I suspect the case is going to be a long one so I was relieved to be let go.

The courts, in their generosity, pay $6.00 for the day which, when you take account of parking ($5.50), means that while I may have lost a day's wages, I did make fifty cents. On the principle of 'another day another dollar' I guess my day wasn't half bad.

On the plus side, invaluable research into the legal system was had for free and notes taken for future novelistic endeavours.

I haven't posted too much of late as I've been on a roll with 'Mirror Man' - just two chapters to complete the first draft then the editing begins in earnest.

Hope you're all doing well in the lead up to Christmas and if I haven't been by your blog lately don't worry, it's not you, it's me.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Monday Morning Miracle

Ahhh, Monday.

Every clock in the house but one was sucessfully re-set on Sunday. You know which one I missed, don't you? Yep, I got up at 4.00 a.m. instead of 5.00 a.m. and by the time I realised, it was too late.

And still, my inbox managed to make me laugh...

This one came in the form of a Powerpoint presentation but I selected my favourite two pictures for this morning's miracle. The second is absolutely the best idea ever!

These guys reeaalllyy want to cross that border, don't they?