Thanks.  We finished our first day today, and I do feel a real responsibility to do this correctly.  I have avoided the news, newspapers, and the internet (...as far as news goes), and I intend to keep it that way for the duration.  To be honest, I have no desire to cheat or to research the case even though I probably now have enough information to do that.  I feel it would be dishonest of me to do so, and I hope my fellow jurors follow the same principle.

I got home in time tonight to catch the last half hour of Judge Judy (!) while I checked on my emails.  When Judy ended, the news came on all the sudden and I changed that channel so fast it was almost funny.  I have no idea if my case is being followed by the media, but I don't want to find out! 

For the first time in my life I have the opportunity to see how the justice system really works, and I feel I want to do it correctly and absorb as much of it as I can.  I've learned so much already, and we still have a long ways to go.  My fellow jurors seem to feel the same way.  I'll keep you guys posted!

Well, we just finished our third full day of trial and I'm still learning about, and for the most part impressed with, the way this whole thing works.  I must say though, I'm glad it's the weekend!  When it's all over I'll fill you in on all that transpired.