They told me they would try to reschedule me for another time and to wait for a call back status. Otherwise I would need to report that Saturday.
That is good. Did they mention when you should expect to get a call about rescheduling?
Or I could come down there to talk to them in person, and talk to the scheduling department, which usually gives better results.
That is good advice. You have 6 weeks to make a trip to the courthouse. If you do not get a phone call in the next week or two, I would start planning for a trip to the court clerk to see about being rescheduled.
This is a killer. I CAN'T get there. ... A taxi is too expensive for 30 miles there/back. Dad can't drive me that far. I have no friends that drive either (because we just can't afford it), and neighbors hate me.
What is the situation with public transportation in your area?
If they were able to "pay me" for the long haul there and back for a taxi, then I wouldn't have a problem with it...but to spend my own money, loose money, and future money, this is f___'d up. I hope I don't have to wear anything nice either for jury duty. I don't have anything...
Everyone who is called for jury duty is inconvenienced. But being able to be called for jury duty is a privilege. The pay for jury duty has always been a token amount. Be happy with $15. The last time I was on a jury, the pay was $6 per day....and parking was $10 per day.
In terms of the dress code...think "business casual," or "Sunday church service," or "job interview," or "first date," or "meet the date's father"....according to whatever you think makes you look the most responsible. Dress like you WANT to be picked.
Pants that are not jeans, that are a solid color, and in good repair (no holes or rips...deliberate or otherwise)....khakis or dress pants are fine...athletic pants, camo pant, and shorts are not fine. A shirt with a collar and sleeves, without any obvious logos, long sleeved or short sleeved according to the weather...a polo shirt, or a button down the front shirt are fine...team jerseys, concert tee-shirts, and "wife beaters" are not fine. Tuck the shirt in. Any "dark" or "neutral" color shoes that are closed toe are fine....walking shoes or even work boots (if clean) are fine....neon running shoes, sandals, flip-flops are not fine. If the shoes can be shined...make sure they are shined. If you need a coat or jacket, pick one without any obvious logos, in a solid color. Leave any hats at home (unless they are religious headwear).
I do this DJ'ing as a hobby, mostly a way to get me some extra money for college. This is ridiculous...my only way to try to get to college and something governmental screws it up...
Nothing is screwed up at this point. You have almost 6 weeks to find some compromise. You have 6 weeks to reschedule the jury duty date. You have 6 weeks to hustle and earn enough money to cover the taxi ride. You have 6 weeks to find someone with a car who can drive you and arrange a barter of some kind. You should be working on more than one of those options at a time.
You may be overestimating the "future business" that will come from this one party. While I am often hired by people who have seen me perform live, the overall conversion rate is VERY low (1 or 2 booked gigs from every 1000 people who see me...??? That's a number I made up, but feels about right). I would start lining up other gigs NOW. There will be some Holiday parties coming that can help bring in other $$$. What are you doing to advertise your new business? What are you doing to meet your next client?
Unfortunately, we do not have a signed contract for this gig. I've been doing this one for 5 years now, he understands, we know each other, and I don't have any problems with him.
Before you do anything else, get a signed contract. Even if it doesn't help with this specific case, it will help in the future.
And as a side note: Does it really matter what equipment I'm using? If it gets the job done, people have a great time...then who cares? My equipment has been going for 6 years now.
Yes and no. Equipment needs to be reliable and get the job done. That's #1. BUT, better gear tends to be more reliable and do a better job. There is very little to recommend in the <$3000 price range for a "full setup." So, make money with what you have now, and save some something better down the line.
Well then....argh...I've never been so annoyed before.
Dude. You're 18. Give it another 10 years and this won't even register in terms of annoyances.
