Work Funny

Charlie and I are both civil servants and we each got a notice from the Office of Personnel Management that said we had an updated personnel action document.

Part of the document stated, and I quote:

"Work performance is an at acceptable level of competence."

We rule.

Gak!

It's been a month since the last entry, which by our record isn't all that bad :)

What's happened since then? I worked the second-to-last shuttle mission (STS-134/ULF6) for two weeks on the overnight shift and since my friend and coworker Lauren got sick, I got to take a turn as FAO for a few days including the Orbiter's final Entry of her lifetime! It was fun to be back in the Flight Control Room for a final time :)

I also did my civic duty and sat as a juror for the first time in my life. I spent the entire week with 11 other jurors trying to determine the fate of an alleged felon, indicted with first degree aggravated assault. The defendant elected to have the jury decide the sentencing as well, so we basically sat through two trials with witnesses and testimonies and evidence; One for the charge and one for the sentencing. It was an emotionally charged week, where I cried every day after duty and even a few times during deliberations - mostly because of the disappointing, aggressive, childish state/behavior/attitude of the other jurors and not even so much because of the case content. In the end we could not come to an agreement on the sentencing, so the judge declared a mistrial. Despite the end result, I am proud of having performed my civic duty in the most respectable and fair manner I knew how - a duty that fellow citizens have fought and died for so that we may enjoy the benefits of our legal system and way of life, as a citizens of this country.

It was the toughest week I have ever been through.

I got some Vibram shoes for running and have worn them once. Only a couple small blisters, so I consider that a win. I think I'll try again tomorrow!

Lastly, my summer show "So You Think You Can Dance" is on and it makes me happy. So far I'm not really feeling it with this season's contestants, but I'm sure someone will grow on me. I do like a few of dances though so far, but "the one" hasn't yet revealed itself. I can't wait for it!