A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Life

Smiles come from little things

This is going to be a quick post today.

I know I haven’t had anything up the past few days. Struggling for the want to write lately and coming up with ideas has been tough. I’m trying to avoid talking about the job stuff as it’s depressing at times.

Today was supposed to be me doing a Foto Friday on this month’s 12 of 12 challenge, which I did for the first time in many months. Alas, I forgot my battery for my camera on the 12th and did it all via Instagram. However, it seems Instagram photos are hiding somewhere else on my phone, because I can’t seem to find them! Maybe I’ll figure it out and have it for next week.

But I digress…

I’ve come to the firm conclusion that, despite my current situation, there are many others who are way worse than I am. Still, to battle being depressed about things, I look for the simple things.

Like a meteor shower.

As I write this, the Geminid Meteor Shower 2012 is going on throughout space. It’s something else. Many times these things happen and it will be too cloudy to see things.

But, despite it being 20 degrees out, I decided to step outside and check it out. I didn’t stay out for long — maybe 10 minutes — but I was hoping to see something.

With or without a “shooting star,” it was pretty amazing out. With an incredible clear sky and the smell of smoke coming from chimneys filling the air, it was an incredible night out.

On nights like this, you can take a deep breath and really have a chance to feel the crisp air go through your lungs. It’s quite refreshing.

In the time I stood outside staring at the sky, I saw two meteors. It’s pretty cool to see them zipping across the sky. I stuck it out a bit more before the cold took over and I decided to head inside.

These are the types of little things we, as a culture and society, need to embrace more. It’s hard to think about all that’s bad in this world when you get looking at something so amazing.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Saved by a settlement

Summoned!

Ever since I was a little one, I always thought it would be cool to serve on a jury.

To be one of those people that had to listen to a trial so intently … learn the facts, get each side of the story and do my civic duty as a citizen of the United States of America. After the trial, head into the room and discuss a person’s fate, whether good or bad.

It is, after all, part of our legal system. A jury of one’s peers and all.

But, I knew at  a young age it would be hard for me to become a juror. My father was a cop and, as I grew older, I worked in the media. Those are two things that seemed to get people axed off the prospective juror setup pretty quickly.

I didn’t need to use this!

So, recently, I received a questionnaire to be a prospective juror in the ol’ system. Again, I didn’t think much of it as I’ve done this before and got wiped.

Then I received what you see at the top of the page.

Crap!

See, this is all good during normal life. You have an income. A job will normally allow you this civic responsibility. But I’m coming to the end of having unemployment insurance and my days are spent applying for whatever jobs I can find in the hopes of getting something by the time it ends. And spending eight hours or more at a courthouse would be extremely tough.

I have a lot on my mind as it is — imagine adding the responsibility of having to decide the fate of another human being?

Ugh.

Still, I came to the realization that I would have to do what I needed to do. If that meant jury duty during the day and job applications at night, so be it.

I didn’t file for a deferment because, honestly, it would have been silly. I figured let the chips fall where they may and I’ll deal with it accordingly.

Then came Monday. I had to call in to the system to see what the deal was. I waited a little bit, but when I called, I still got a busy signal twice! When I finally got through, I heard the magical phrase — I didn’t have to show up because the trial had been settled.

Score!

Look, I still — one day — want to serve on a jury. I think we, as Americans, should want to actively participate in the legal system. But I also know there are good times and bad times. This one was bad. And I’m thankful I could keep my focus in the one spot it truly needed to be on.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!