Night in Venice July 19, 2008

Ocean City, NJ has what is called "Night in Venice" once a year. I think it was developed as an elitist display of wealth. People will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on expensive boats and summer homes on the bay and try to show how rich they are. This year Ocean City had to offer 100.00 dollars per contestant to sign up due to the high price of fuel. Life is really a paradox, what a laugh, they gave someone with possibly a half million dollar boat a hundred bucks so he could display how ostentatious he is.

Well, Louise and Millie (wife) were invited to 2 parties, we could only do the one because of the parking restrictions in those bay areas. I must say we had a blast. Our group were mostly mature adults but next door the group was much younger, I was very surprised at the reactions I got from them, a few came over to talk with me and one brave soul had to have his pictures with me.

It was a good thing I had convinced my wife to come with me, I drank 2 bottles of wine, got home about 2 AM and then was on my bike for a 45 mile bike ride at 8 AM.

My day before the Judge

I have a very funny incident today that I need to pass on.

I was called for jury duty this week and today we had jury selection in front of the judge and lawyers and other interested parties. One person I know out of 5 who were there and know me both ways was called up to the jury box, and coincidentally, I was called next so we sat next to each other, he was concerned about people knowing about me but I'm so open if someone doesn't know me as Louise I have to announce it. Well I really didn't want to be picked to serve even though court cases can be educational, but I do have other activity's to keep me busy.

The judge preceded to explain our rights and also questioned us about being familiar with the case, lawyers, principles in the case and then if any of the potential jurors knew each other. Well me and the other person (Phil) looked at each other and then said yes to the judge. He asked what the relationship was and I said I wanted a private conference, but it had to be done with the 3 lawyers representing the case and the other juror, well, as Louise I am so confident and comfortable I said no problem. I went up to the bench and he asked me to sit and called the other people over, I said "well your honor, a picture is worth a thousand words", I carry a man bag and have 4-5 of my pictures in it, just to break balls when I can. I pulled out a picture of the just retired county prosecutor and his date with me as Louise between them, they all looked and I said "that's me in the middle" the judge looked, smiled and said "very flattering" the lawyers looked with the biggest grins on their faces, I wonder if I'll get a phone call from one wanting to question me in private (LOL). He asked if I felt it would effect the case and I said, I felt it was possible.