the state of the zero
Disclaimer - I’ve been writing portions of this on and off for weeks now
C’est la Zero…
The state of the zero
and so dear readers, 5 weeks of serving on a grand jury came to an end
In my time, I learned quite a bit about the criminal prosecution world of DC, where the open air drug markets are, how resisting arrest in DC is technically assault, how many homicides there really are in this city, and the very telling stories of many victims of sexual and domestic abuse (which was the "focus" of my panel). Needless to say, I'm glad its over. By and large I approve of this process much more than in a standard trial (which comes later), as our "job" was to listen to the evidence from the prosecution to determine probable cause that a crime was committed, such that a trial can move forward. It's then up to the prosecution, along with the judge and jury to convict and sentence if appropriate.
It was also interesting to note that certain individual attitudes, regardless of either a strict interpretation of the legal code (as presented to us) or the knowledge that an actual trial would follow, would simply elect to vote against certain cases on principle. The obvious may come to mind (those who don't consider marijuana or even harder drugs to be illegal substances) as well as the one person who determined that any questionable search (questionable to him, not necessarily to anyone else) meant the defendant was innocent, no matter what. Heinosity really sure be an adjective for these people to contemplate their decisions. As may or may not be expected, the sex crimes were the hardest to hear and the hardest to deliberate over. Surprisingly, especially given that the disproportionate ratio of women to men on the panel, these were extremely contentious decisions. Anyhow, its over.
Combined with having to work from time to time in order to be paid, I determined that a mini holiday weekend complete with Gogol Bordello was the best remedy possible. As such off in the asscrack of dawn to Seattle via LA. Slept halfway across America but woke up on an amazingly clear day to see the mountains around Taos in great detail, as well as the desolate nature of both Death Valley and Compton. LAX- underwhelming. Virgin American? seats a little snug, but comfy and the seat specific controllers were nifty. Not awake, drunk or interested in anyone to try the seat to seat chat system, but it was interesting. 2nd flight from LAX to SEA - past the place where Steve Fossett crashed and the snow-capped Cali mountains, for the clouds to come in on the Oregon border and an evening of mist.
Show # 1 at the Sodo (I presume for South of the Dome). Opening act was a Serbian Roma band with dueling accordions. Fiddle player made the band though. GB's set was electric, although being the first set heard in 2 months helped a bit. Crowd was not overbearing per se. Pedro picked me out to go crowd surfing on - at least this time he didn't land on my head. Afterparty time - bands just chilling backstage. Serbian band (Kal) wasn't going to Vancouver, so there was an impromptu musical gathering
At this point, having been up way too long, travelled 3500 miles, and consumed3x as much alcohol as food, one can only do so much. There’s nothing like eggs at 3AM to get you through though. A short nap, and off again for Canada, via Amtrak. Trip uneventful other than the border guards made me go through secondary screening. I’ve now been stopped entering the last two countries I visited….
Vancouver. Awesome. I’m so moving there someday. Vancouver shows. Fun crowds with the exception of the one skinhead who decided that the crowd was his personal wrestling pit. After putting 3 people in choke holds, biting two people in the ear, scratching at least 7 (including me) and one grope fest on a decidedly unwelcoming woman, security finally kicked his ass out of there. Other highlights from Vancouver - the on stage marriage proposal - nice kids. The aftershow crowd of non Russian speaking Russians, all of whom were bolstered by my prediction Obama would win handily. The discussion of the new recording of the next Gogol album, beginning late January with Rick Rubin at the production helm. Finding out the band has changed my nickname to “absinthe killer.” The impromptu street singalong with local Roma. The second night afterparty complete with 3 guitars, a lot of wine and absinthe, 4 security warnings from the hotel. Having Eugene say “you are a very serious and very dangerous man” upon leaving.
And beside the shows, just the feel and life of the city. The smells from the food markets. The combination of grit and grandeur juxtaposed. And the restaurant that has the satay bar. Yum.
Then I came home, and rejoined the world of my work. 3 weeks later I’m finally back in the swing of things and continue the love/hate relationship with my position. I enjoy what I do, and if able to do my job, I would love it. But I cannot from the forces above me, and the frustration level is at a peak.
Last night was the 4 year Anniversary of “my” dance night (in the sense I contribute to it). I’ve been the doorman for 3.25 of those 4 years. And I love it - best job in the world by far. The people and the music I’ve met from these Friday nights truly are beyond expression. Suffice it to say, LDP is probably the hardest thing I would have to give up if I left DC. Last night was also special for regulars and friends Brian and Eileen, who are now engaged.
Yeah - brain fart for about 3 weeks there
OK, still working at the same place - we’re now 4 people less than we were the Monday before Thanksgiving. But we’re also “not busy” too. I spent 7 hours today and countless others over the past 6 weeks fighting the fight against insurance company increases, and I think we did OK.
We finally had Balkan/Gypsy dance night at The Looking Glass, where Brando Calrissian (aka Ironic Jason) and I spun the balkano grooves and gave the folks the gypsy punk. When someone asks for something Macedonian, I can spin it, dog. So the night before Thanksgiving, when creatures were stirring, turkeys were defrosting or marinating, and livers were decidedly marinating at the bars, we played some great tunes. Small floor going on (it was labeled as a “Fez and Mustache” party), but we could keep em going for a while. More nights are coming, so I’ve been told. And of course, less than 30 shopping days until Gogol Bordello in DC and the requisite afterparties that come with.
Last but certainly not least, there’s someone new in my life these days. She’s absolutely wonderful, and truly a rain of sunshine. And an addictive smile, which I’m decidedly happy to look at whenever I can.
And on that note, a toast with the crusts still on, for everyone this holiday/winter/summer (hemispherically stating) season.
So for all, Cheers, Salud, Cin Cin, Kampai, Slainte, NazDrovie and Valtoo
Until I see you (or post again), peace be with you (or as they said in Cool Runnings, Peace be their Journey)
C’est la Zero…
The state of the zero
and so dear readers, 5 weeks of serving on a grand jury came to an end
In my time, I learned quite a bit about the criminal prosecution world of DC, where the open air drug markets are, how resisting arrest in DC is technically assault, how many homicides there really are in this city, and the very telling stories of many victims of sexual and domestic abuse (which was the "focus" of my panel). Needless to say, I'm glad its over. By and large I approve of this process much more than in a standard trial (which comes later), as our "job" was to listen to the evidence from the prosecution to determine probable cause that a crime was committed, such that a trial can move forward. It's then up to the prosecution, along with the judge and jury to convict and sentence if appropriate.
It was also interesting to note that certain individual attitudes, regardless of either a strict interpretation of the legal code (as presented to us) or the knowledge that an actual trial would follow, would simply elect to vote against certain cases on principle. The obvious may come to mind (those who don't consider marijuana or even harder drugs to be illegal substances) as well as the one person who determined that any questionable search (questionable to him, not necessarily to anyone else) meant the defendant was innocent, no matter what. Heinosity really sure be an adjective for these people to contemplate their decisions. As may or may not be expected, the sex crimes were the hardest to hear and the hardest to deliberate over. Surprisingly, especially given that the disproportionate ratio of women to men on the panel, these were extremely contentious decisions. Anyhow, its over.
Combined with having to work from time to time in order to be paid, I determined that a mini holiday weekend complete with Gogol Bordello was the best remedy possible. As such off in the asscrack of dawn to Seattle via LA. Slept halfway across America but woke up on an amazingly clear day to see the mountains around Taos in great detail, as well as the desolate nature of both Death Valley and Compton. LAX- underwhelming. Virgin American? seats a little snug, but comfy and the seat specific controllers were nifty. Not awake, drunk or interested in anyone to try the seat to seat chat system, but it was interesting. 2nd flight from LAX to SEA - past the place where Steve Fossett crashed and the snow-capped Cali mountains, for the clouds to come in on the Oregon border and an evening of mist.
Show # 1 at the Sodo (I presume for South of the Dome). Opening act was a Serbian Roma band with dueling accordions. Fiddle player made the band though. GB's set was electric, although being the first set heard in 2 months helped a bit. Crowd was not overbearing per se. Pedro picked me out to go crowd surfing on - at least this time he didn't land on my head. Afterparty time - bands just chilling backstage. Serbian band (Kal) wasn't going to Vancouver, so there was an impromptu musical gathering
At this point, having been up way too long, travelled 3500 miles, and consumed3x as much alcohol as food, one can only do so much. There’s nothing like eggs at 3AM to get you through though. A short nap, and off again for Canada, via Amtrak. Trip uneventful other than the border guards made me go through secondary screening. I’ve now been stopped entering the last two countries I visited….
Vancouver. Awesome. I’m so moving there someday. Vancouver shows. Fun crowds with the exception of the one skinhead who decided that the crowd was his personal wrestling pit. After putting 3 people in choke holds, biting two people in the ear, scratching at least 7 (including me) and one grope fest on a decidedly unwelcoming woman, security finally kicked his ass out of there. Other highlights from Vancouver - the on stage marriage proposal - nice kids. The aftershow crowd of non Russian speaking Russians, all of whom were bolstered by my prediction Obama would win handily. The discussion of the new recording of the next Gogol album, beginning late January with Rick Rubin at the production helm. Finding out the band has changed my nickname to “absinthe killer.” The impromptu street singalong with local Roma. The second night afterparty complete with 3 guitars, a lot of wine and absinthe, 4 security warnings from the hotel. Having Eugene say “you are a very serious and very dangerous man” upon leaving.
And beside the shows, just the feel and life of the city. The smells from the food markets. The combination of grit and grandeur juxtaposed. And the restaurant that has the satay bar. Yum.
Then I came home, and rejoined the world of my work. 3 weeks later I’m finally back in the swing of things and continue the love/hate relationship with my position. I enjoy what I do, and if able to do my job, I would love it. But I cannot from the forces above me, and the frustration level is at a peak.
Last night was the 4 year Anniversary of “my” dance night (in the sense I contribute to it). I’ve been the doorman for 3.25 of those 4 years. And I love it - best job in the world by far. The people and the music I’ve met from these Friday nights truly are beyond expression. Suffice it to say, LDP is probably the hardest thing I would have to give up if I left DC. Last night was also special for regulars and friends Brian and Eileen, who are now engaged.
Yeah - brain fart for about 3 weeks there
OK, still working at the same place - we’re now 4 people less than we were the Monday before Thanksgiving. But we’re also “not busy” too. I spent 7 hours today and countless others over the past 6 weeks fighting the fight against insurance company increases, and I think we did OK.
We finally had Balkan/Gypsy dance night at The Looking Glass, where Brando Calrissian (aka Ironic Jason) and I spun the balkano grooves and gave the folks the gypsy punk. When someone asks for something Macedonian, I can spin it, dog. So the night before Thanksgiving, when creatures were stirring, turkeys were defrosting or marinating, and livers were decidedly marinating at the bars, we played some great tunes. Small floor going on (it was labeled as a “Fez and Mustache” party), but we could keep em going for a while. More nights are coming, so I’ve been told. And of course, less than 30 shopping days until Gogol Bordello in DC and the requisite afterparties that come with.
Last but certainly not least, there’s someone new in my life these days. She’s absolutely wonderful, and truly a rain of sunshine. And an addictive smile, which I’m decidedly happy to look at whenever I can.
And on that note, a toast with the crusts still on, for everyone this holiday/winter/summer (hemispherically stating) season.
So for all, Cheers, Salud, Cin Cin, Kampai, Slainte, NazDrovie and Valtoo
Until I see you (or post again), peace be with you (or as they said in Cool Runnings, Peace be their Journey)