Whilst waiting in line for my free cup of Caribou coffee, I happened to glance at the TV monitors they have up. They were doing some kind of piece on Scott Peterson's sentencing. As with all close courts, they had a number of those sketches up that someone does to illustrate a setting in a courtroom without violating the law.

It got me to wonder how one would end up with this job. "Hey, you're pretty good. Have you ever considered drawing criminals in a courtroom setting? You could probably depict Manson pretty well if given the opportunity."

Are there annual awards for this work? "And this year's award for Best Depiction of a Victim's Crying Family Member on the Stand, the nominees are..."

Is there any recognition at all? I can honestly say that I've known quite a few artists but I don't believe I've ever met one who works in a courtroom. And for some reason I don't think that they'd volunteer that kind of information in casual conversation.

Overheard recently...

"Why can't those damn towelheads figure out that we're there to help them?"

With enlightened and careful speaking such as that, I can't imagine why...