Radio Lady: I was NOT chosen to be on Jury Duty in Hillsboro, Oregon on 4/11/2008. [View All]

[Radio_Lady]

Juror #113. I was all psyched up and thought it was great -- they don't allow very casual clothing, so it's an opportunity to dress nicely. They didn't want weapons or questionable metal items, because you have to go through a metal detector. The most metal I wear is a large hair clip.

Yesterday, when I called for reporting instructions, they only wanted numbers 1 through 31 and 147 through 178. I feel as if I've lost the lottery. Why do I feel this way?

I know this isn't Boston, where we used to live in Sudbury, Massachusetts ZIP code 01776. It's one of the towns near Lexington and Concord, MA. We were living there in 1976 during the Bicentennial Celebration. I still have stamps posted there and a small invitation to the charity event they held. It's history!

I feel like throwing tea into the Willamette or the Columbia River. Maybe I could have dropped a green teabag in the water just for a symbol. Why didn't I get a chance today? However, we're clearing out clutter in our home for a real estate showing today. That's another whole story. Our grandson is with us because it's a day off at school. Mommy is in Atlanta at a big company meeting; Daddy is at work. I thought I was going to be part of democracy today.

Maybe I'm ticked off because we've been watching "John Adams" on HBO -- or maybe because our Oregon primary is a mail-in vote due May 20th. We haven't even gotten our ballots yet. Ho-hum. If it takes more than a day to count the totals, we'll be on our way to the airport for a New England vacation until June 1. (See ya soon, Will Pitt!)

Could they be discriminating against me because of my age? Naw. Did I have to put my age on the form? Can't remember. However, you can be excused from jury duty at age 70 or older. My husband got called a couple of years ago -- I don't remember why, but he didn't choose to go. It could be that was back when he was working full time.

I was sent a notice to serve once in Florida, but I had two tiny children and got excused for that reason. In Massachusetts, I went to the Framingham Court House in the 90s, and sat around reading until lunch time, but never was questioned or called. One-day obligation in that system in the old Middlesex County, now defunct.

Oh, well -- there's always next time. But probably never. Next year, I can weasel out of it because I'll be "three score and ten" on 05/31/2009. But I miss having the opportunity.

Cordially,

Radio Lady