released from duty

i've spent the last three days in court. no i haven't been on trial or subpoenaed as a witness for any trial...i've had jury duty. although i had to plan on week of service, the jury pool was released today since there were no more cases up for jury trial this week in superior criminal court. while most people find jury service annoying and intimidating, i find it very interesting and somewhat invigorating. for a long time i considered law as a career path but things didn't quite work out and my interest changed course. after sitting and waiting as much as i did in a mere three days of court, i'm actually relieved that i wasn't one of the defense or state's attorney's. there are some real idiotic people in the world - namely those who break laws - but i do respect the lawyers and judges who have to face some of that nonsense of the courtroom. i witnessed a lawyer asking to be excused to go to the bathroom in the middle of jury selections, court proceedings interrupted by a fire alarm, a defendant representing himself, and a lawyer inappropriately approaching a juror in the court lobby after a case was decided. there was really never a dull moment, aside from the "hurry up and wait" mentality of the justice system. at least i am excused from jury service for another two years...so i guess i'll simply "hurry up and wait" until my next citizen-duty experience!