Fulfilling my civic duty

Friday was my lucky day. Not only did we get a good report from the doctor, I was summoned for jury duty. Woop-woop. I understand, this fine state needs me. And being the good citizen that I am, I'm more than willing to answer the call...as long as it doesn't fall the day before we are leaving town to go to my MIL's 60th birthday party...which it just so happens that it does.

The summons notice that came listed no contact information, no phone number (except for ADA accommodations), thus no way of getting out of it. So, I did a little online research. I will HAVE to go to the cattle call. Along with me, I will be carrying a handwritten letter from my doctor (explaining my profound fatigue and nausea associated with our little miracle baby), as well as a good book. The good news is, of the 6 total days I am allowed to take off of school (yes, people...6 days, that's it), this won't count against me. Read:

(a) (1) Upon receiving a summons to report for jury duty, any employee shall on the next day the employee is engaged in such employee's employment exhibit the summons to the employee's immediate superior, and the employee shall thereupon be excused from employment for the day or days required of the employee while serving as a juror in any court of the United States or the state of Tennessee; provided, that such employee's responsibility for jury duty exceeds three (3) hours during the day for which excuse is sought.

I believe whoever wrote this probably didn't pass their college writing classes. I counted 9 versions of the word employee in the one paragraph. Yikes.

I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. I'm thinking that my record will look pretty golden to these people and I'll get called back (this should be a compliment, right?). I mean, I'm a teacher, I have no criminal background, no history of substance abuse or mental health issues, and I've only gotten one speeding ticket. So when I do get put on a jury, maybe it will be a good case. Something interesting. In the meantime, while I wait, I'm counting on getting some good reading done.