It was a pretty boring event. I was actually looking forward to it. Seemed like it could be pretty fun. All the day consisted of was sitting in a room from 8 in the morning I got called in for a case around 2ish. When they described the case, I knew one of the witnesses, so I was off. 
Ah well. Didn’t live up to expectations. Only bright side of it was I finally got around to starting “Cider House Rules.” Otherwise, a long and boring day.
I had the exact same experience many years ago. I was so excited about being on a jury. Everybody kept trying to give me advice on how to get out of doing it, & I couldn’t understand why. I wanted so much to be a part of the process. But, like you were, I was aquainted with one of the witnesses.
I just got my first summons in about five years. The last one (which actually came to my mom’s house) I got out of because I had just started a new job and I was the sole support of my family (actually, my girlfriend/fiance, who I eventually married and had a child with, and her ten-year-old son). This one I’m actually looking forward to.
The last time I actually went on jury duty, it mainly consisted of sitting in one room all day, with only once being picked as a possible reserve jury (and that didn’t pan out) and I was through.
I just hope I don’t get a Loooooooong trial…