There are many little things in life that occur and many of us never really think about the real implications of these common events.

I had a little awakening this week. I had jury duty.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking – or least what many of you are thinking. Jury duty is right up there with trips to the dentist for a root canal or going the Department of Motor Vehicles for anything. It’s something that has to be done but you’re not going to like it very much.

And that’s because you might get picked and have to put your life on hold.

When I checked into the jury room this week I was handed a number. It was “1” and I knew there was no way I could avoid being selected to be in the running for going to a court room.

Before that happened – and naturally it did – one of Superior Court judges came into the jury room to talk to us. Now I know this guy must have done this speech a thousand times, but I was impressed with his sincerity and modesty.

He thanked us for coming, acknowledged this service would be a pain and then explained something that made it very worthwhile for me.

The judge noted how few countries there are with a justice system built on a trial by a jury of peers. The institution is not just American – it is in many ways something influenced by the Commonwealth and its colonial history.

He noted how the system has evolved to be truly representative with women gaining the right to serve as jurors and then, in the 1980s, dropping many of the waivers that had been traditionally given to doctors, lawyers, and many others.

I looked around the jury room and frankly it looked like Springfield and Hampden County to me with different races, ages and genders. That’s the way it should be.

This judge illuminated this pain in the neck activity – hey, I still have to write the stories I’ve been assigned for the ‘papers regardless of the fact I’m on a jury – and made it significant.

I was proud that I’m doing my part in American society. Do you think someone could make going to the Registry feel good?

***

As I promised in a previous missive, I will tell you that I received a bill from the Commonwealth for the use of the Turnpike just over three weeks ago. My wife and I traveled to the Cape on the newly improved no-toll-booth Turnpike and I wondered what the bill for the round trip would be.

It was $7.50.

I wish I could remember what we were paying before for this twice-a-year use of the road. I think it was in that general price range.

I couldn’t help but wonder how much money was expended though in the creation of the bill as well as the printing and postage.

By the way, I paid it rather immediately as the bill promised all sorts of horrible events would come my way if I didn’t pay with expediency.

I suspect that it would make for a great headline if a state legislator wanted to stir the pot a bit and ask the Department of Transportation for a cost breakdown. Has the use of the Pike increased or decreased or remained the same? How many people are using transponders and what kind of increase has there been? What is the base price for the creation of a paper bill? Are the predictions this change would not result in a higher amount of revenue for the state still holding? Less revenue?

If one member of the delegation doesn’t ask, I will. I like a great headline as well.