Stephen V. Manley is a Superior Court judge in Santa Clara County. Before participating in a discussion of how redefining felonies will change California, he talked about hunting jelly fish, asking too many questions, and his worst habit in the Zócalo green room.
What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?
Working as a lifeguard when I was a kid, and I was paid to get jellyfish out of the water. If I killed 15 jellyfish—they’re really hard to get because they spread out—and if I could get any of the other predators that would scare people, I got 50 cents. That was a crazy job. The other crazy job was driving trucks in the desert, in the very hot sun, when I was around 19. It was horrible. Something one should not do.
What do you eat for breakfast?
Yogurt and fruit.
How did you get into trouble as a kid?
I got into a lot of trouble because I was always asking questions that challenged authority.
What foreign language phrase should everyone know while traveling in another country?
Ayúdame. Help me!
Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?
My granddaughter.
What’s your favorite plant or flower?
Fuchsia.
What’s your worst habit?
Trying to do too many things at the same time.
If you had one more hour in the day, how would you use it?
Get the things done I said I was going to do but didn’t have time to do. Or just take the rest of the day off.
Who or what would be your mascot?
Probably a tiger. Always on the move, getting things done, tending to business, willing to take anything on.
What does it take to get you out on a dance floor?
Not much. I like to dance.