worked yesterday in rants

I retired about 5 years ago from my "regular" jobs. I was a high school teacher - day AND night high school.

For over 25 years, I've also worked as an interpreter in the court system in NYC. For about 20 years I worked in the District Attorney's office in Manhattan - lots of witnesses! When I began, most of the crimes were committed against Dominicans... they were the lowest on the socio-economic totem pole... had the worst jobs with the worst work schedule and were the most vulnerable. I KNOW Manhattan, especially the higher crime areas - uptown - where I have lived and worked most of my life. When one interview identified the "crime scene" he was describing... and it was on the CORNER where I live... it was time to make a change.

I had my phone number with both the Bronx and Brooklyn DA's offices, Although the Bronx is closer - a simple cross town bus ride - I was only called from Brooklyn. I haven't enjoyed riding the subway in years, but that's the only way to get there. I do NOT know Brooklyn. Most of the streets are named and the hardest thing to get right is when someone who speaks another language pronounces an English word in their own manner. I've been working in the grand jury in Brooklyn for about 6 years.

Some cases are ordinary, others are heart wrenching. I often work with the Crimes Against Children unit. Yikes. It's so hard NOT to cry while interpreting for the witnesses..

This is actually some woman's job, but if she will be out - doctor's appointment, etc. - I am called in to cover for her. USUALLY I am told a day or two in advance; yesterday I was called at 10:30 in the morning to get there IMMEDIATELY. Well, I had prepared to stay home all day, so was nowhere near ready... I got there around noon.

Often, I sit all day with nothing to do - read a book, do crossword puzzles - never really NOTHING. Better to have me there and NOT need me, than need me and not have me. Often I get so many cases, they back up on me. If I have to translate for a defendant, I may have to work overtime. The defendants are scheduled late in the day so there's no overlap between defendant and witnesses. One time, I got all the way home, and was asked to return - THAT was a VERY late night - I left after 9 p.m.!

Across the street from the courthouse where I work is the Tkts. booth. They sell discount tickets for Broadway shows for that night... or the next day's matinee (if the next day is Wednesday or Saturday). I used to go to the theater a LOT. Lately, not so much.