That's That (Do What We Want)

Allright, so folks may be waiting and wondering how things went at the preliminary trial. Keep in mind, I actually wasn't allowed inside the courtroom for the preliminary trial (there's a real fear of defense attorneys suggesting a parent present would be coaching the child on what to say--something I've never done; I'm always telling Lash: speak loudly and clearly and just tell the truth).

Anyhow, we arrived at the courthouse at 9 in the morning, and met the other victim and his mother. Lash wasn't called in to testify until 2 in the afternoon, and was in the courtroom testifying until 3:45.

The district attorney reported to me that Lash did perfectly, that he couldn't have done any better. We should all be pleased with his testimony and proud of his bravery.

Bryan was there (the right to face your accuser and all that awful Constitutionality protecting the criminal more than the victim). He was dressed in his prison orange jumpsuit and his hands and ankles were shackled the entire time: this actually helped reassure Lash of his safety and helped lift his confidence, so it ended up being a good thing. He looked like a schmuck.

The date for the jury trial will be set on April 6th. I'm also going to have to testify at that trial as well as Lash.

Minutiae:

Lash watched a lot of Justice League Unlimited on DVD in the hotel. The district attorney fed us many Mexican food meals. The children's waiting room at the courthouse has nothing to entertain parents (I got to watch Home on the Range and Daddy Day Care; I really just wanted to sleep).

Bus travel blows.

Anyhow, we're home now. The kids are on Spring Break and I have school tonight. . .

My Week Thus Far

Drew recently mentioned some 50 book challenge on his blog, and I've decided to give it a go--reading 50 books in a year. If Dubya can do it, anyone can, and I've practiced too much illiteracy over the past couple years. So far, I'm off to a slow start, having only completed two books (both of 'em trashy "beach reads"): Going down in la la land by Andy Zeffer and Hard by I forget who. The former was pretty boring, the latter was engaging but nothing special.

Speaking of special--Amazon is having a 50-60% off sale on TV shows on DVD right now, making me wish I had more money. If you jones for tv on dvd, check it out.

School began this week. I'm in a Theory of Literary Criticism class that I need to finally complete my MA (hopefully in the fall) and Poetry: Form and Practice. With them I've decided to take up jogging on my walks home. Last night was a real bitch of it.

The winter holiday went off fairly well. The kids all had a grand old time and I was able to get Denise her laptop for her Yule-slash-anniversary present. Which after that, bills and tuition, my grant is gone and I'm broke-ish again--I couldn't get my PS3 (this is me pouting a lot). And of course, the van picked after this to decide to let us know it was dying, so I don't know what I'm going to do along that end. Hmph.

I went with Chrissy last week to drop Chris off for basic. It was really hard (moreso for her, natch) and we're all already really missing him.

Ain't it cool news: Rael is really working hard at communicating. He still makes no sense most of the time, but he's got "mom, Lash, bye-bye and night night" down, and earlier this week I told him "I love you" and he replied with "I love (pause) too." That was cool.

It ain't cool news: They're offering Bryan a deal--10 years (probation in 8.5) and two strikes; if he turns it down it'll go to trial and he could get life, but that would mean Lash will have to testify after-all, which wasn't the case when the trial was still in our county. Hmph. I don't like the downsides to either option; I want him there forever without putting Lash through it all again.

More news later, folks!