Monthly Archive for July, 2007

Small world

Published
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Frank
on July 18, 2007
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This past weekend, Jeni’s parents had a cousin [Jeni's cousin/Suzie's neice] and her kids stay with them. Jeni had never met her, as she hasn’t ever been around. Jeni had told me earlier in the week that this cousin was from Shreveport, and I made a mental note to mention that I had lived there for about 5 years.

Sunday at lunchtime Jeni, Caleb and I drove out to Inyokern to hang out with her family, which includes, her parents, Bill and Suzie, and her brother, Wes, and his pregnant wife, Val, and the cousin and her kids. We got out there and hung out, just chit chatting with Suzie while everyone else was back in town. Suzie, in some ways, reminds me of my mom, so it’s kind of funny sometimes. I guess it’s a ‘mom’ thing.

Jeni’s cousin finally got back to the house and we talking about Shreveport and I mentioned that I had lived in Shreveport, and married a girl from Keithville [which is right outside Shreveport]. She perked up and asked “Which part?”

“Her parents live on Keithville-Keatchie Rd.”

“Really? I lived on Keathville-Keatchie Rd. for twenty years. What’s her last name?”

“Mauldin”, I replied

“Is her mom Gail Mauldin?”

My mouth dropped open, “Ya!”

She totally knows Melanie’s mom, and sister, Amanda. She knew that Amanda just got married a few weeks ago. She drives a bus, just like Gail. She knows all the neighbors, and we figured that when I was living out there, I was no more than a mile from her.

So.. my fiancee’s cousin, know’s my ex-wifes mom. Her kids went to the same school as Melanie. Totally opposite sides of the country. What are the odds!?

Jury Duty: Part 2

Published
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Frank
on July 12, 2007
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Today I left work at noon, came home, ate, and reported to the court for jury duty. I was looking forward to it, so i’m sure it showed. After calling the initial 12 jurors, and dismissing 4 or 5 of them, my name was called for juror seat number twelve. I went up and gave them my legal name and all my info… education, how long i’ve lived here, family info, ever a victim of a crime, do I know anyone in law enforcement [Yes], etc.

There were several times I was questioned, based on my answers, or because I nodded in agreement, or shook my head, when someone else was being questioned. I was even quoted by the prosecutor when he was trying to demonstrate whether or not someone could be unbiased based on previous experience with law enforcement.

I was eventually excused by the defense. :(
There were a bunch of kids in there, around 18 or 19. It was pretty embarrassing to have to listen to them ramble on, or mumble, or not know whether or not they could be unbiased. There was only one 19 year old guy left of the group of kids when I was excused. How can you not know if such-and-such an incident will or will not affect their ability to be biased or not.

The case, from what I was able to gather, was about a woman who was fired, and would not leave, so the police were called and she resisted arrest. I believe the woman, even though I would have gone by the evidence, was guilty, just by listening to the DA talk. He was going to claim that excessive force was used by the arresting officer. He was real interested in making it sound like, even before the trial started, cops are human, they have bad days, and can make mistakes, just like the rest of us. He was going to make it sound like that was what happened.

Anyway, the DA didn’t like me because I told the truth… that yes, police are human, and they can have bad days, but they are trained and should know better than to let personal life get in the way. That when a peace officer makes a reasonable request, that we should obey it. Obviously, there is a slace of what is or what isn’t reasonable.

I was dismissed, I thanked the judge, since i’ve seen her around town, and had dinner at the same grill as her at Tokyo House, and i’m sure i’ll see her around, not that she would remember me, but… maybe. On my way out I smiled at the bailiff on my way out and he said “They excused you, huh?”, to which I nodded, and told him that I had actually been looking forward to it, and said that I looked like I was. So… maybe I was too forward. Oh well.

Allen is home

Published
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Frank
on July 8, 2007
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Dad went to LAX and picked up Allen last night. I was gonna go but I’ve got Caleb this weekend and we decided that it would be easier for dad to go.

I didn’t think he’d fly in his uniform. I’ll have to ask about people’s reactions.

allenhome.jpg

Yay Heather!

Published
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Frank
on July 6, 2007
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Heather has finally completed high school. I’m quite proud!

heathers_diploma.jpg

The 4th

Published
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Frank
on July 5, 2007
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Jeni, Caleb, and I went to Dave’s in-law’s, Michael and Laura, yesterday for some swimming, food, and good company. We swam with Caleb, trying to work his little legs some. He’s trying so hard to kick properly… it’s just more of the fine motor skills that he’s working on developing. Afterwards, we, including Dave, went back to Jeni’s house and blew up some fireworks Dave bought last time we went through Pahrump. Quite good fun. Caleb was a little skittish sitting on the grass, so we put him in the jogging stroller, where he could pull the hood over himself, and he was much more comfortable. We also watched the Ridgecrest-sponsored fireworks right behind Jeni’s neighborhood at the fairgrounds.

Today Dave and I went and got Weinerschnitzel for lunch, then I went and got Jeni and my Transformers tickets for tonight. I’m practically giddy waiting for it.