Off-line for awhile...

....I'm back to updating my blog. I thought that I would explain where why I've been busy lately.

The past two weeks I've been on jury duty. This week I was actually selected for a jury that went to trial. Until this time, I only recall being in a courtroom a couple of times. During the jury selection, I actually felt nervous for a few minutes; as if I was on trial. That went away and it turned into an interesting experience despite a very difficult case and deliberation.

Most people are reluctant to serve as jurors and consider this an inconvenience. I was one of them. Now, though I have great appreciation for the way that the justice system works. Having experienced it firsthand, I have new found regard for it. I find being an attorney (especially a trial attorney in criminal cases) to be very difficult.

In the end, our jury reached a verdict of Guilty on 2 of the 3 charges. The hardest part was delivering the verdict. The best part is knowing that the justice system does work. Jurors are for the most part impartial and take their responsibilities seriously.

Va. Tech (04.15.07)

Today's tragedy at Virginia Tech reminds me that despite many good things in the world...each and every one of us is capable of true evil. Without the grace of God in my life, who knows what wicked, evil things I could do. And yet God's grace is free and available to all. It gives liberty to know that we have a hope beyond our temporal lives on earth.

"Lord, look upon the lives that have forever been changed by the events of today. Ease the pain and suffering, comfort the grieving. Fill the void left by those who were lost. Most of all, bring hope of salvation to the families, friends, campus, and community. Amen."

160

That's the number of beats per minute of an unborn child's heart at 12 weeks. Awesome!

Amazing Grace

We saw a good movie a couple weeks ago. This was Amazing Grace. It's the story of William Wilberforce and his political crusade to abolish slavery in the British Empire in the late 18th century. Through his powerful persuasion skills he slowly - over years - convinced the Empire to end the human slave trade. It was even done without a revolt, unlike that of the United States.

The film is not high-budget (read: not much on the special effects) but the acting is decent and the music is very nice. Included at the end (before the final credits) is a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" by a bagpipe band.

www.amazinggracemovie.com

In loving memory...

My grandfather, Robert Hanson.

He passed away in his home in Washington state last night. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, fives sons, 11 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Grandpa was a humble, Christian man and a veteran of WWII. He spent most of his life in blue-collar jobs (farming, truck-driving). One of his favorite hobbies was woodworking. He created many decorations for his home, his family and friends.

He is loved and will be missed. But he is now in a better place (Praise God!).

Boom......A new blog is born

A monumentous moment. Today dawns a new blog. A better blog. A brave new world awaits you blog. Go forth and inform. Discover all that cyberspace has to offer.

This is my new weblog.

I'm creating this as part of a work assignment to learn and understand how the internet is evolving. Should be fun.

Looks for more posts soon.