I have a solid excuse for being offline for the past few days: I'm serving as the third alternate juror on a criminal trial this week. I actually don't mind so much -- the courthouse is a pleasant twenty minute walk from my apartment, and I'm still finding enough time to get most of my work done after I get back in the evening -- but it is a little frustrating being an alternate rather than a proper juror. I still have to sit through the trial, I just don't get to have any input regarding the verdict.