Not the court date I was expecting

Tomorrow morning, I go to the city clerk's office to file my official notice of appeal for our historic architecture commission decision.

So far as I know, that puts me on the agenda for the next session of the city's Special Master in HARC disputes, which is listed for March 23 on the municipal calendar. All of which means I think they'll catch and release me on the 19th, when I'm to report for jury duty.

One of the great clerks at the Building Department (and they have many) made me smile about all of it today.

I was talking with her about the mechanics of posting a performance bond, in the event of further adverse decisions, that would allow us to proceed toward a Certificate of Occupancy for our home despite outstanding HARC issues -- actually moving in, while pledging to abide by whatever decision the court ultimately makes.

She was doing her best to make the process as painless as possible -- to get the paperwork started early, because it has to be signed by inspectors, the city manager, the city attorney -- and when I mentioned the jury summons, she said:

"Honey, get on that jury! You might decide your own case."

I thanked her for the laugh, and she ended up giving me a huge hug before I left the office. She said I looked like I needed one.