Jury Duty

So, I had my first experience with jury duty this week. The case itself was pretty unexciting... but here are a few ways to get excused from a jury in DWI case, just incase you ever need to know.

1. Admit to having EIGHT DWI convictions yourself. Wow.
2. Admit to having one DWI in 1988 and that you have been sober since that day.
3. Be a retired police officer - who retired 10 days ago.
4. Have a parent killed by a drunk driver.
5. Have a kid who is sick.
6. Have your own graduation party the first day of the trial. At 2pm on a Monday. One - What does a person graduate from in April? Two - Who plans a graduation party at 2pm on a Monday? Really?

Needless to say, I was not excused from the jury - I got to serve in my first jury trial. At least it only lasted two days.

My three month period continues until June 3oth, and they can call me back an unlimited number of times for more trials between now and then. As we left, the bailiff said, "See you in a couple weeks." Perfect...

Raleigh

Last week I got to go visit Rose, Korey, and Maxwell for a few days in Raleigh. I have visited them in North Carolina (well, once in South Carolina) now for 4 springs in a row.

Rose, Maxwell, and I went to an Arboretum on Thursday - the coolest thing there was this tree that has flowers that grow out of even the biggest branches, this is an example, I could not get a good picture that represents how cool this tree is.

The big happening of this trip was... their son Maxwell turned one on Friday! Even though we live in different parts of the country, I've actually seen him 3 times already. Right after he was born last spring, when they were in Minnesota for Christmas, and now over his first birthday. He's a pretty cool kid. It had been kind of a long day by the time we gave him his birthday cupcake, so he looks a bit grumpy in this picture.

Here's a cuter look while he's eating his cupcake. He's sleepy, but he has a cupcake.


On my last day we drove by a Rita's Ice, and I missed it at first, but Rose saw it and remembered I loved Rita's when I lived in Philly. I haven't been to one in probably 5 years, and I got one on Saturday. It was awesome.

Maple Syrup

So, I took Marcos out to Gorham's to check out how to make maple syrup. Although I've known them forever, I don't believe I've ever been out there during maple syrup time. First time for everything right? 40 gallons of sap for 1 gallon of syrup - that's only worth it if you love doing it. And how did anyone ever come up with that crazy plan... lets stick something into the tree to get this clear sap that runs out, and then boil the heck out of it until it's dark brown and really sweet. And then dump it on pancakes. No idea who's crazy mind came up with this process... but I love syrup. :)

Buckets on trees... a few of the hundreds...

Three taps into one bucket.

This is where the sap gets boiled down from 40 gallons to 1 gallon.

This is the beauty of being outside that day... but I can't get it to rotate on here, stupid blogger.