Monday - 8:10-9:05.

Danial has returned from his errand through the morning streets. Sitting at the sign-in tent, with a cop and the two medical techs, he rests, the freshly copied pile of schedules in front of him. Stares into the distance, only half-listens to the "Valley-Grove Democrats" blasting across the empty parking lot. Lady Red is down there, standing on the back of the stage, watching her speaker cry out to the empty world....

PEOPLE OF TRUE RELIGION KNOW THAT RELIGION IS ABOUT LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE, NOT THE HATEFUL VERSION PREACHED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY....

A young, handsome man with flowing black hair, shoulders draped in cameras, notebook open, approaches the sign-in table. Begins to ask questions about the zone. He works for a textbook company, and is researching material for public participation in the electoral process. Says his name is Jonathan, and carefully sets down his tools, to shake hands with host. Danial mentions this journal he is writing for your internet eyes. They discuss the potential for computers in classes, providing constantly updated materials to students, instead of revising textbooks once a year, "or only once every five years, sometimes...."

Then comes Kelly from KSDO, a local talk/news AM radio station in San Diego.

The manager of Ruby's Restaurant (around the corner on 5th Avenue) shows up with a dozen free coffees for the cops, and the host happily takes one.

Danial wanders down to the stage, sipping his coffee, watching the media people crawling around the empty lot under the eyes of the Democratic speakers. He talks a few minutes with George, Cissy, and Hanson, from NBC. "Where the hell is everyone? Aren't there any Democrats in San Diego?"

Danial smiles, makes polite talk, goes back to the tent.

Why does he get the feeling this will be a long, long day? Or that every morning will be as boring and dead as this one is - and yesterday was? Is this the pattern? Dead mornings, then a little more action in the afternoon and evening?

"Big ones coming late today, Danial... the Mexicans, and then the Gays."

Ah... and they both are marching in. The mediators will be walking with both groups.

Before them, another march will come in at 1:00, from Saint Paul's Cathedral. Pro-choice liberal church groups banded together into the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

But now, the morning drags. Heat is rising. The third group hasn't even signed in yet... - Hmmm... (he thinks) maybe I should go out and play with the media? See if I can get some of my fifteen minutes of fame.... (-; (smile wink)

Move Ahead to Hour Three of this Second Day.

Or Revisit the "Table" of Contents.