Jury Service - Day One

For the next two weeks I'll be doing a bit of a blog-within-a-blog as I started my first ever session of Jury Service today.

Now obviously I won't be blogging about the content of any cases but I'm sure there will be other little interesting things that I can share with you.

I had to report to the Crown Court by 9:15 this morning. First issue was my name. My jury summons paperwork had been issued in the name of Miss MaidenName. I queued up in the right place for my maiden name (alphabetised queues, no less) only to be told they have no record of me. After some research in different lists, they find me as Mrs MarriedName. Baffling.

The jurors seemed to unconsciously gravitate to similar people. I was sat with three women roughly my age. On the next table were three cockney geezers. Older ladies giggled. Businessmen sat on a quiet table reading serious books or newspapers. It was all very strange.

We had to watch a short video which apologised in advance for any waiting we might have to do (bad sign) and explained what would happen, who's who in the court and other fascinating stuff and then ... we were left to wait.

And wait ...

The room put me in mind of a school canteen but with more comfortable seats. There were two main issues with the room - it wasn't really big enough to hold 150 jurors and it was so very cold.

And wait ...

At about 12:10 (yes nearly three hours later), my name got called out. Fifteen "good wo/men and true" followed a friendly court usher. She ushed us into another room outside the relevant courtroom. She apologised that there were some last minute things being arranged but we would hopefully be called soon.

So, we sat in this room for fifty minutes - sporadic conversation (mainly between myself and another lady) ensued. At one o'clock the usher came back and apologised and said that we were being released for lunch so we all traipsed back downstairs again.

At about 2:30 we were recalled. This time we only had a short wait before being taken in the court. The courtroom we went into was fairly modern looking. When we entered we had to sit in the public gallery and see which 12 would be called.

As the names were read out the juror's seats filled one by one. I wasn't called on to do my bit for Queen and Country today. We "rejects" went back down to the main juror's room and chatted until we were released at about 3:30. I've got to be back there for 10:15 tomorrow so at least I get a bit of a lie-in. :o)

I don't mind doing my bit for Her Majesty's Justice System ... but I wish she'd crank the thermostat up a bit.

That's all, your Honour.

Um ...

I'm speechless ....

...

...

no really ...

...

Ok then [breathe]

I understand that the Church is like any other vast organisation - it has laws, rules, guidelines, policies, etc. More than the general public would realise perhaps.
Therefore, I understand that a sector of the Anglican church acting outside of what the worldwide Anglican Community deems acceptable should lead to proper discussion and debate.
However, for that discussion to lead to a large portion of the Anglican Community effectively being sidelined for a period of time seems ludicrous. How does that help resolve the issue? This matter will not go away and at present it seems that the Anglican Church is heading for schism.

I can understand how social/cultural beliefs cuold lead the Anglican communities in asia and africa to have issues with what is happening overtly in America. Many in those countries have deeply entrenched views on homosexuality. Their reaction is perhaps understandable but still not acceptable. The actions of the Anglican Community (for all their protestations of pastoral support for homosexuals) will hardly help to improve these social attitudes by acting the way they are.

Also, it seems incredibly hypocritical as I know that there are many homosexuals in the English clergy. It is difficult to believe that the bishops and leaders are not aware of this fact. So it appears we have a tacit acceptance, a "push it under the carpet and pretend it doesn't exist" attitude whilst at the same time they are expressing concern that others are being honest, accepting, tolerant and loving.

This is to say nothing of how this will be percieved by the gay community.

There is no easy solution when the differences of opinion between two parties are seen to be so irreconcilable but surely it is best to work through those differences together as a whole and not speed up the potential split.

Well, that is my two-penneth.

The Child Within

I'm in touch with my "inner child".

Last night I was delighted as I peered through the curtains before getting into bed. Whoop! It was snowing. Fat fluffy flakes floating and falling (oooh, nice alliteration). The bushes and trees of neighbouring gardens sprinkled with snow looked like they'd come straight out of a fairy tale. Even the cars looked strange - as if they'd pulled fluffy white blankets over themselves to keep warm for the night. There is always an ethereal quality to any scene at night when it is snowing. The snow reflects any little bit of light and gives the place a feeling of twilight. I love being in the warm watching it snow outside.

Until the "outer adult" wondered - what shoes can I wear to work so I don't fall base over apex tomorrow?

Happy Journeys.

Freedom of Speech

Things like this remind me how lucky I am to be able to say what I want (within the realms of what is legal) and express my view, opinions and ideas.

Stories like that also serve to highlight the power of bloggers. The blogging community has a world-wide audience and it is perceived as a threat by governments, employers and jounalists alike. Blogging is the ultimate peaceful protest. They are just words, but words can be powerful in spotlighting injustice and untruths.

I like "things" (for want of a better word) without borders. No matter where you blog, no matter what the subject of your blog (whether it is "this is what I did at work today" or "this country must change"), your voice is heard and you can hear other's voices. But unfortunately, not all members of our community are treated with respect that we all deserve.

However, when one voice is sadly silenced there are more to take it's place.

Serendipitee Jo

Serendipitee Jo died on 1st February 2005.

I got to know Jo a tiny bit through ready her blog and exchanging a few e-mails. She was immensely brave and very open about what she was going through.

I couldn't feel sorry for myself with my petty little health problems when I read about her latest encounter with the medical profession, written with much humour and honesty.

Rest in Peace, Jo.

Little Miss Grumpy

Yesterday I was grumpy.

One important thing occurs when growing up as an only child in a big detached house (as I did) - you get used to silence. I like silence. Unlike many people, it doesn't bother me. I enjoy having periods of silence each day - especially when I've just woken up, just come home from work and when I'm getting ready for bed.

Which leads me onto the major downside to living in a flat in London - you rarely get silence. There's music, TVs, social gatherings, traffic, police helicopters, etc.

Sometimes I just crave silence. Yesterday I ended up reading in the bedroom as that was the quietest room. It wasn't really bad but I guess I'm just overly sensitive to noise that I can't control. I joked with Hubby that I need some ear defenders, something that would let me enjoy my own thoughts in peace. Maybe it's not such a bad idea.

It's an added bonus for when we go and visit our families - peace and quiet. Ahhh.

I hope today is better than yesterday.

Peaceful Journeys.

I can sing a rainbow ...

Thanks to Mallard for this one.

What do I think when I see:

White: snow, snow-drops
Yellow: daffodils
Blue: Hubby's eyes
Black: stars, strength
Green: nature, beauty
Red: london buses
Purple: my wedding dress, my favourite colour
Pink: my friend Liz
Brown: fertile earth,
Gray: thunder

The changing face of friendship

I don't make friends very easily. With new people I am shy and reserved - they only see the mask I permit them to see. It takes a long time before someone is let in and there are only a very few that truly know the real me.

I'm not sure why I erect barriers. I know we all have different masks to a greater or lesser extent - a work mask, a social mask, etc. Strangely, using a media that some see as being a barrier to "proper" communication can be easier. The internet is another mask but (and I think this is in some respects because it is such a complete and secure mask) it is easier for me to remove it.

I have developed some good friendships with people both near and far. Some I have met in real life, others I have not. They encompass a wide range of people that I would never have ordinarily met - through a wedding forum and an online game, for example. These friendships are developed and maintained through e-mail and online banter. In a short space of time (for me) these e-quaintances have become people I care about.

In another way, blogging is a removal of the mask, the chance to let a bit of the real me out into the light.

Feeling introspective today.

Thoughtful Journeys.

Dearly Beloved ...

Congratulations to Prince Charles and Mrs Parker Bowles.

It's refreshing to see that the "institution" is, on the whole, accepting his marriage to a divorcee. I'm sure many people will object. But everyone deserves to be happy.

I am glad however that they have confirmed that she would be Princess Consort and not Queen when Prince Charles comes to the throne - I think that is appropriate.

I wish them Good Luck and ...

Happy Journeys.

Lest we forget

Blackrat wrote an interesting post a few weeks ago regarding the book by Laurence Rees' entitled Auschwitz, The Nazis & The Final Solution, which I'll review here once I've read it.

Like many people, I presume, I learnt about the death camps at school, although we were probably exposed to a santized version "suitable" for grammar school girls.

Years later I saw Schindlers List which had much more of an impact on me. Apart from the the dramatic black and white portrayal of it's amazing story, one other thing will stick with me from that film:

the absolute silence from every single person as the credits rolled.

You could have heard popcorn drop. Not one person rushed to get out of their seats like they normally do. We were all in some personal place of thought. Even through the lobby and into the car-park everyone was very subdued. At the time I only wanted to see it once and decided not to buy it. However, I might have to get it on DVD as hubby has never seen it. Perhaps it's time it came back into the cinemas. It would be appropriate for the next generation of cinema goers to see this film.

Going back to Blackrat's post, it's impossible for me to get my head round
the number of deaths mentioned. However I look at it, it overwhelms me.

A couple of years ago I visited the Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum and would urge anyone that has the chance to go. There are rolling videos showing interviews with those affected - either survivors or families of those killed. The different sections are interspersed with cabinets showing things that would have been "confiscated" from people entering the camps - I found the piles of shoes particularly haunting for some reason. There is also a scale model of the camp to help you visualise the scale of the place. Some parts of the exhibition were quite disturbing but that's good. Things like this should disturb us all.

The sad thing is that "we" as humankind have not learnt from these shocking events.

According to the Peace Pledge Union, in the 20th century there have been between 130 and 142 million people killed in and by war (including starvation and disease as a result of conflict). Include deaths caused by political decisions and the total grows to between 214 and 226 million.

Take a look here for more detail.

And according to one of Amnesty International's Current Campaigns, some countries are training the next generation already.

How much longer and how many more lives until we learn?

Memories ... light the corners of my mind ...

Those lovely Blogliners ask today: "Who was your teen heart throb?"

I really must stop going to their site as I invariably spend the next half hour staring at the screen in some world of reminiscence or deep-thought! ;o)

My teen heart throbs read like a "who's who" of the 1980s. I hope this gives the 80s girls out there a dreamy five minutes or possibly hysterics at my bad taste!

John Taylor (Bassist Duran Duran) - still think he's got it! :o)
Michael J Fox (from when he was in Back to the Future)
Jon Bon Jovi (lead singer Bon Jovi)
Morten Harket (lead singer A-ha)
Judge Reinhold (from when he was in Beverly Hills Cops)

... and probably more that are best left in the forgotten corners of my mind.

Happy Journeys.

R.S.V.P.

Another great idea from Blogliners: Which four people, living or dead, would you love to invite to dinner?

Well, I've not been able to limit it for four so I'm going to have to extend the table a bit (or, given the size of our flat, take them to a restaurant instead!).

My special guests would be:

My grandparents (one of whom I never met) when they were my age.

Tolkien - to see what he would think about the Lord of the Rings being voted the nation's favourite book,
and to see his reaction to Peter Jackson's film adaptation.

Gene Roddenbury as it would be fascinating to discuss life, the universe and everything with the great man.

Speaking of great men - Terry Pratchett would also get an invite. His writing is insightful and amusing. I would love to discuss his views on religion, humanity ... trivial topics such as that.

Then Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein would come into their own after we'd all had a few drinks to phase shift our brains.

Although, if these people were gathered together in one place I would, I believe, be struck dumb and gormless.

Happy Journeys.

Rest in Peace

Ivan Noble, who blogged his fight against cancer, has died - what an amazing man.

With much sympathy for his family.