It’s Raining! I know that isn’t big news in most places, but this is San Diego and it hasn’t rained here since April. You think I’m lying? Exaggerating? I'm not. It’s true. It has not rained here since April. I had the front door open (as always) and walked by just now and heard a weird noise outside. I looked at the pool and it was raining. It’s RAINING!!!!! I haven't heard the sound of rain in SO long.
Here’s the sad thing: Today was the Fall Walkabout in South Park. It’s held every season and it’s a night when all the stores stay open late and they have a street fair with vendors, entertainment and other festivities. It hasn’t rained in six months and TONIGHT – when everyone is out and walking about – it’s raining! I think that’s sad!
So, let me tell you about my day.
I woke up at around 4:00am, because I had a bad dream. It was weird AND bad. It took me a while, but I fell back to sleep and then woke up AGAIN at 6:00am. The alarm was going off at 7:00am, so I kind of tossed and turned for an hour and then got up at 7:00am, showered, dressed and was out the door by 7:45am.
I drove through STARBUCKS (of course), and got to the place (which is on Hotel Circle right next door to the WAFFLE STOP!) I parked the car and went to the building, which is circular, with a big courtyard in the middle. In San Diego they often have buildings with courtyards, because they can be used and enjoyed all year round.
I signed in and was surprised and pleased that they didn’t give me a hard time because I was “Peppy” but had to show a picture ID, which had my real name on it (my driver’s license). They had a raffle of $50 for everyone who showed up before 8:30am (it started at 9:00am), but I didn’t win (big surprise – I never win anything!).
I thought everyone in my group would be older, because they asked me if I was in the 45-54 category, but it turned out they needed all categories, because there were 40 people there ranging in age from 18 to about 60.
They had pastries for breakfast (pre-wrapped in plastic) and coffee with powdered non-dairy creamer or a little juice box. Thank goodness I brought my STARBUCKS. The only problem was, they wouldn’t let you bring any food or drink into the room, so I had to leave my coffee when it was time to go in and I was able to drink it on our frequent breaks.
We were shown into a large room. The entire back wall was mirrored (they watch you on the other side of the mirrored wall). There were 40 chairs set up auditorium style and there was a big screen in the front. On each folding chair was a clipboard with paper and a pencil and a small calculator-sized computer. We were instructed on how to use it.
They would ask us questions, like what age group are you in: 18-25, 26-32, 33-40, etc., and you would press “1” for the first group, “2” for the second group, etc. We answered a lot of questions and then were asked questions regarding the subject matter of today’s focus group – a law suit.
After we answered all the questions, a lawyer came in and talked for an hour and twenty minutes, presenting his case. Obviously, if this was a real trial, and we were a real jury, it would take many, many hours to present the case, so this was a really compressed version. Every twenty seconds we had to hit a number on the little computer, partly to let them know we were paying attention and staying awake, and partly to show how well they were presenting their case. “1” was not persuasive/hurting his case, all the way up to “9” which was very persuasive/helping his case.
After he finished we had to answer more questions with the little computer, fill out some of the questionnaire on the clipboard and then we had lunch. I was one of the first out the door, because I knew if they had tuna at all they wouldn’t have much. I was right! It was a Marie Callender’s box lunch – which was REALLY nice. They had turkey, ham, and tuna. It was on a croissant with lettuce and tomato. There was also a really good coleslaw, a banana, and a piece of pie. I had pumpkin, but I traded with someone else for cherry.
The sandwich was really delicious, as was the coleslaw. I had a few bites of the pie and then they called us back in, so I just threw it away. They were very strict about food or drink in the room, so I couldn’t really save it for later anyway. I put the banana on the table, in case someone else wanted it!
After lunch another lawyer presented the other side of the case. We did the same thing with the numbers. He also spoke for an hour and twenty minutes, they asked us more questions, we filled out more of the questionnaire, and then we had a break. Oh, I forgot to mention that after the first session they pulled a few people aside to ask them about their responses on the computer. They are not only watching us through the glass, but they’re also watching on a computer to see our responses and how people are answering.
The woman in charge asked to see me after the second presentation, because while most people were being persuaded by the second guy, I was getting more and more critical and saying he was hurting his case. I explained my point of view and she was very interested. I guess I was not in the majority, and they were asking questions of people who didn’t “go with the crowd.”
Finally, we went back inside, the first lawyer gave his “closing argument,” and then we were asked final questions, which we answered on the little computer. Then, we completed the final questions on the questionnaire and were divided into three groups. We had a short break and were then put into three rooms around a table. Again, one wall was mirrored, and they were watching from the other side.
Now, we were a jury, in the jury room, deciding on a verdict. There were 13 of us. We picked a foreman, and she began going around the room asking each how they felt. I was sure everyone was going to feel exactly like me. Boy, was I wrong! I was in the minority! They told us we couldn’t leave until we came to a unanimous decision, and things got pretty heated (you know what a big mouth I have – but there were a few others, too!).
It took over an hour, but we did it. Then, a guy came in and interviewed us one at a time and then as a group, asking us all kinds of questions. Most of us had to compromise in order to come to a unanimous decision, but we all felt like we were doing the right thing -- and not just saying anything to get out of there.
We got out of there around 5:30pm and were given $175 in cash. Nice! It really was a very interesting experience. I got to meet and interact with some very nice (and some kind of weird) people, and I made more than I make in a day at work – and it’s tax free!
I came right home and called Eric. He sounded good. We had a short conversation, and then I got undressed and worked on the computer for a while. I made myself another salad and a piece of pizza, and watched HEROES, which I’ve recorded a few times but haven’t watched at all yet. It’s a really exciting show.
I’m looking forward to SNL tonight, because I really like Ann Hathaway (of PRINCESS DIARIES, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and GET SMART) and I think she’ll be great.
Tomorrow I’ll be running errands, including food shopping. I’m really glad I did the focus group today. It was an interesting and profitable way to spend the day!