On Jury Duty and Manicures
Last Wednesday I had to report for Jury Duty. I have served on two juries, and both times I found the process interesting and thoughtful, and generally it was a good experience. My company pays us for Jury Duty, and it was not a busy week, so it wasn’t a hardship for me. Of course the dread is that you will be picked to be on a case regarding a horrible crime, so there is always trepidation going in. Ted works across the street from the courthouse, so we drove in together with the intention that we would meet for lunch, and then drive home together. If I were dismissed in time, he could take me home at lunch. I didn’t really think I would get picked to serve, since he works for the District Attorney’s office, but who knows.
I arrived at the courthouse at about 8:10, 20 minutes early, and there was a crowd of people in the hallway in front of the room where potential jurors wait to be sorted and taken into courtrooms. I decided that was too crowded, and one of the staff said it was fine to wait on some benches around the corner, so I did. I sat there and played my Wordscapes game, where the words ‘Alibi’, ‘Bail’, and ‘Bailiff’ came up, which I thought was timely. At 8:30, I went around the corner, and almost everyone had gone into the room, there were a couple of people checking in with a staff member out front. So I got in line there, and she told us that they had all of the potential jurors they needed, and we were excused. I hadn’t planned for dismissal at 8:30. Ted was in meetings and didn’t see my text, and I didn’t have a car key to go home. So I decided that I was taking a Jury Duty day off from work anyway. I had checked my work email that morning, and the only task I had awaiting me could wait at least a day. So off I went to explore the downtown area. It’s a small, charming downtown, but the stores were all closed that early, so I took my book and went to Starbucks for a latte. I relaxed there for a couple of hours and finished my book, then decided to venture forth and see if any of the antique stores were open yet. They were not, but there was a nail salon open. Oh! Impromptu manicure! Lovely. So I went into the salon and had a lovely, relaxing manicure. When I went to pay, however, the owner of the salon told me her computer was down, she had recently bought the business from a prior owner and not everything was up and running yet. What to do? I didn’t have any cash, and I don’t have my banking app on my phone. Why? I don’t know. Anyway, she said I could either get cash from an ATM, or Zelle her later.
After that, it was time for lunch, so I met up with Ted and we went to a restaurant that he frequents often enough that they know him and his regular order. He likes the veggie burger there, it is made in house and does not have the chemical taste that some have. He had that, and I had a delicious turkey avocado sandwich. Then he brought me home, and went back to work (glad that he works only 15 minutes from our house!)
I checked my work email and considered starting the one task I had on my plate, but decided to go to a place around the corner to start my next book and have a glass of wine. See my nails? They look lovely.
THIS, however, is my nails on Friday morning, only 2 days later. This is why I don’t wear nail polish very often. A bit ago, Nicole posted about some nail polish that lasts a lot longer without chipping, and I bought some but did such a horrible job polishing my own nails that I hadn’t used it in a few months.
The results? Magic. Admittedly, this picture is only 4 days after I polished them, but LOOK, not a single chip. I’m hopeful that the polish will last until this upcoming weekend. Thank you Nicole! And thank you Stephany, who also wrote about the GOOD nail polish. What a difference.
Have you ever served on a Jury? If so, how was the experience for you? Do you have a favorite nail polish brand?
26 Comments
nance
I read that Dickens novel in college, in my Victorian Novels Survey class with my favourite prof, Dr. Robb. He looked just like BJ Hunnicutt from MASH. I adored him. That book…not so much. But let’s face it; who has time for Dickens’ more weighty works like David Copperfield and Oliver Twist as a book club selection?
Way back when, I was called for jury duty. I wasn’t selected for a jury, though. But I did have to wait for hours in the room with others, drinking bad coffee and wondering what was going on. Then a bailiff came in and said that the defendant accepted a plea bargain. Someone joked that he had walked by, taken a look through the little window at all of our crabby faces, and decided not to take his chances.
J
Nance, I don’t think I’ve read ANY Dickens before, so this is a new experience for me! Good eye for catching which book it is.
I like the joke about jury selection! Did you know that less than 10% of criminal cases go to trial? Most are settled via plea bargon, which can be problematic because sometimes innocent people take a plea because the defender is too busy to give them the attention their case warrants. And sometimes guilty people take longer time than their case likely warrants for the same reason. However, if the number of trials that went to court increased drastically, our courts would be absolutely over crowded. We would need more judges, more courthouses, and more jurors. So we are where we are with the system we have, fair or not.
Elisabeth
That Wordscapes is TOO MUCH! That is uncanny.
I’ve never served on jury duty, but I knew a lady growing up who was desperate. Like it was one of her biggest goals in life. What now? I think she did get called eventually!
I don’t have a favourite nail polish (mostly opt for the absolute cheapest at my drugstore which is Sally Hansen Xtreme, but need to try that miracle combo. Your nails look fantastic (you have gorgeously shaped nails!!!). I find the key is doing the side swipe at the top – I think they call it capping the end – it makes my nail polish last waaaayyyy longer. But chips are inevitable. Sigh. I also make sure to do a thick top coat but then I have to be so careful while it dries. So this miracle polish Nicole recommends makes me happy when she says it dries quickly!
J
Elisabeth, regarding the wordscapes, isn’t that crazy? The day that Mulder died, the Wordle was GRIEF. Sometimes the world is weird, right?
Serving on a jury is interesting, especially if it doesn’t inconvenience you too much (like me…not a crazy time at work, I am paid for it, my daughter is an adult, etc.) It can be a real burdon if you don’t have a car, or have young kids at home, or are self employed, on and on and on. Also, we bumped into some of his coworkers this day and they told us of a trial that was just wrapping up, and I would NOT want to be on one of those juries. The defendent was definitely guilty and was convicted of 36 out of 40 counts. A monster.
I’m pretty happy about the nail polish! I’m going to try to remember your tip about the tips next time I polish them.
Ally Bean
I’ve never served on a jury but twice have been required for one week to check in each evening to see if I’d be required to go to the courthouse the next day. It was disruptive, but ultimately nothing came of it.
I only wear nailpolish on my toesies. I like Sally Hanson Color Therapy brand. I’m into sheer shades now, and this brand has some lovely ones.
J
Having to call in every night for a week would be disruptive indeed. Difficult to plan anything, not knowing whether you will be in a jury the next day!
Sally Hanson is getting a lot of love around here. Often I only paint my toenails too, just because the fingers are so problematic. I’m going to check out the sheer colors!
Margaret
I was called up for jury duty recently but never had to report. I love how you made the best of your jury day! The first time I had jury duty I was placed on a jury; it was very interesting! I have the same issue with nail polish although I enjoy the mani/pedi process, especially the massage! In fact, perhaps I’ll do that today.
J
I’m with you, I love a mani/pedi. I considered getting that last week, but I had the wrong shoes and would have messed up my toenails with socks. I hope you get one today and that it feels MARVELOUS.
Melissa
Yay, for an impromptu day just for yourself! I’ve been called up for jury duty three times, but have always been let off the night before.
J
It was a gift, a day of being up and out the door early, and then nowhere I had to be except lunch with my handsome husband!
Nicole MacPherson
I have that exact nail polish on right this minute! I’m so glad it worked for you AND I’m so glad that you were able to have such a lovely non-work non-jury-duty day! I was also dismissed from jury duty and I was irrationally terrified it would be some graphic, heinous crime. This was the fall of 2020 so there was all THAT as well.
Yay for the nails! It lasts so much longer than regular polish, and doesn’t destroy your nails like a gel mani.
J
I’m so glad you shared about the polish, I don’t think I would have noticed it otherwise!
I’ve served on two juries. One was a guy who was driving drunk, but pulled over on his own when he realized he was too drunk to drive, so no horror there. The other was a guy who was breaking into cars, and that one was kind of hard because he was likely looking at jail time and I didn’t like being involved in sending someone to prison for some reason.
I don’t think your fear is irrational though. There are horrific crimes, and trials, and I would NOT want to server on those juries. I feel for the folks that do. UGH.
Daria
Have you ever served on a Jury? If so, how was the experience for you? Do you have a favorite nail polish brand?
Never served on Jury… Last summer I got a summons but could get out since I have two small kids and day care is expensive. So I got excused.
Nails… I am wierd with manicures and pedicures. I only get pedicures in the summer/sandal weather. manicures I don;t get becuase they just do not last. No favorite nail polish but I do like seasonal colors. Example: something bright and beachy in the summer (teal, white, even yellow for my toes), pumpkin or wine in the fall.. or just pink or red- good for any season :))
J
Oh goodness, yes, Jury duty when it is a big expense is no good. I’m glad you were able to get out of it. Now that I’m older and my daughter is grown, it is not a problem for me, and I enjoy the break from my day to day routine.
NGS
Even when I’ve had my nails done with gel, they have chipped within three or four days. I rarely polish them anymore. I’ll get a manicure and ask for clear polish and then if it chips, so be it! I do get polish on my toenails (OPI is my preferred brand), but they don’t chip at all!
I have served on one jury and I considered it a huge waste of time. Oh, well. It’s my civic duty.
J
Engie, I’m with you generally, the toes is all I consistently use. I can’t stand my feet in sandals without polish. I don’t wear any on my toes in winter, though.
Sarah
When I get a mani this always happen to me! I usually just get a buff these days because the chipping drives me nuts. I only use OPI polish, and I always bring my on for pedicures so Ican fix any chips (I get pedicures every 3-ish weeks)
J
Oh, a pedicure once a month sounds amazing. I am lucky if I get one a year. I do love OPI though, and I also bring my own color.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Serving on a jury is a very american thing. Not a thing in Germany at all. We have professionals for that. However, sometimes I wonder if it may be a good thing when random people who are not professionals can have a say.
I invested in some expensive, more natural nail polish lately but am not too convinced. Chips the same as all the others. For me its my nails they come of in layers so no polish will be working. Sigh. But yours… I would be feelin ripped off after two days. The color is pretty though.
Overall it seems like you had a wonderful day reading, snacking, wandering…
J
Oh, professional jurors? Interesting idea. It makes sense, people that understand the law, all of that. But at least with a jury of your peers, just regular folk, you don’t have to worry about corruption.
San
I have been summoned for jury duty twice. The first time, I wasn’t a citizen and had to decline jury duty. The second time was in 2014 when I was a citizen. It was a murder trial and I am very glad I wasn’t selected. I wrote about my experience here (https://theinbetweenismine.com/2014/07/24/things-you-wouldnt-know-there-is-no-jury-duty-in-germany/)
I love your (home) manicure. I definitely have to look for this nail polish next time. It looks so nice and apparently holds up well 🙂
J
Oh goodness, I really feel for people who serve on juries for violent crimes. HORRIBLE. I’m glad you weren’t picked. Yes, I love this polish. It ended up lasting 7 days before it started chipping. Fabulous.
Lisa's Yarns
I have never heard of wordscape but that looks right up my alley so I will check it out. But that is very uncanny that so many words were related to jury duty!
I have never been summoned for jury duty and hope not to! Work can be very nutty so having to potentially be off work for a series of days would be really challenging!
I never paint my nails because it is just too much upkeep for me. I know I would look more “pulled together” if I painted my nails but I don’t care enough to actually commit time to it!
J
I think I’ve gone for years when I don’t paint my fingernails at all, and others where I maintain them a bit more. Perhaps this will be the summer of the pink nail for me?
Ernie
I am SO late. Trying to catch up. I have NEVER been on jury duty but Coach has several times. I’m glad you got a day off out of it. My fingernails are constantly breaking so i only bother with my toes and only in the Sumner. Your nails look great.
J
Thanks Ernie! Luckily, both times I was on Jury Duty, it worked with my schedule. Not quite so good for someone who is self employed and would be left in the lurch!