Lotus Moment: Art Is Now In Session

Why This Is Awesome: Back in January, I was a "guest" of our nation's jury selection system, when for the first time in my life, I learned about the intricate and somewhat confusing process that makes up serving on a civil court case jury.

For three days -- and me being me, I visited the Essex County Courthouse and took in the beautiful Renaissance architecture and Roman-inspired murals around the 4-story rotunda. The Cass Gilbert-designed building felt very much like a film set for a legal drama, and it held a foreboding atmosphere that I imagine is the norm for most spaces where people's lives and livelihoods hang in the balance.

Despite the ominous nature of the space, I also detected a sense of tentative optimism and an appreciation for the skill and artistry of the building. But to be fair, that was probably coming from me. :-)