Overcoming Odds to go to Burning Man...

[tisha2]

as i am scheduling volunteers for the cafe this year, i am surprised and a bit dismayed by how many virgin burners are all set and psyched to go months ahead of time, only to let some little thing get in the way a few weeks from the event. i keep telling them that most folks who put it off for years for seemingly 'important' reasons can't believe how insignificant those reasons become in light of what the event gives them, and how little could possibly stop them from returning once they've been. i now know people who have given up jobs, waited on faith for last-minute rides, simply asked teachers and landlords about being away/late a week and gotten an easy 'okay!'.

i want to hear more of your stories like this.

this one was posted to the staff list this morning:

*************

Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005

Well, as a law-abiding citizen of the United States and a resident of
Alameda County, I was summoned to report for jury duty today.

I drove down to Hayward Superior Court, and after waiting for quite
some time, walked into the court room of Judge Harbin-Forte and sat
with a bunch of my fellow citizens. I looked up at the dates posted
and noted with dismay that the trial won't start until August 8th,
and jury deliberations won't begin until August 29th. The judge
intoned that it was our "duty" to serve on a jury if called upon, we
were expected to "sacrifice", and that exemptions would not be easily
granted. When the court clerk asked who wanted to file for a
postponement due to "hardship", 80% of the hands in the room went up.
Mine did too, but I was not holding my breath.

After all, I can't claim economic hardship because my employer will
pay my regular salary while I sit on a jury. And I didn't think that
going to Burning Man would be reason enough to relieve me of my civic
responsibility.

Another wait ensued, then we were called back into the court room.
The judge read each of our names out loud and told us whether we were
granted an exemption or not. My name was among the group of us who
all claimed to have trips scheduled during the trial dates. I was
surprised that she even considered travel to be a legitimate excuse.
She told us that she wanted to see "proof" of our upcoming travel -
which did not mean we were to purchase some tickets tonight. We were
supposed to come back to court tomorrow to show her the proof. One
woman said she had her airline e-ticket with her. I thought, what
the hell, I have my Burning Man ticket with me, I can show her that
and see what happens! The bailiff collected our "proof" to hand to
the judge. She looked at the other woman's computer printout and
promptly excused her. Then she looked at that iridescent purple and
green ticket and said out loud, "Who handed this Burning Man ticket
to me?" Some in the court room chuckled. I raised my hand meekly
and she looked at me for a long minute. She asked for my name,
turned the ticket over in her hand and examined it for another
minute. She then commented "I have half a mind to not let you go to
this Burning Man thing so I can go myself..." I quipped, "You should
go." She smiled and said, "You're excused."

My smile turned into outright laughter as I exited the court room.

Who would have thunk that the Man was going to be mightier than the Judge?!

Jenny

[theCryptofishist]

Oh good. I thought I was gonna hafta share some of my act like a lunatic and get out fo jd free tips.

[Chai Guy]

Fishy, you don't really need to act you know?

[cowboyangel]

ya. odds....make no bets.....about as close as Sinatra raising from the dead....

[HughMungus]

Nice! That's so cool that she knew what it was. This is just one reason I get pissed off at people who rely too much on appearance to judge others (no pun intended).