This morning, just as I felt myself sinking further into the black hole of jury-ness, the prosecutor said, “Your Honor, we’d like to thank and excuse Juror #8.”

I think what he meant was “Your Honor, we’d like YOU to thank and excuse Juror #8,” because then the judge said, “Thank you, Juror #8. You’re excused.”

Being thanked is good; I always appreciate it when people thank me. And being excused is good – I always appreciate it when I say “excuse me” and people say “no problem,” or “you’re excused.”

But being “thanked & excused” at the same time is a beautiful thing.