no mandate builds

i arrive in d.c. a little after 8:00 - it is dark, frigid & i have to be concerned with where i can drive my truck & not - the terrorist patrols are out in force i'm sure & i'm feeling the pressure to get to our codepink house - i'm only a day late! there is lots of traffic as i exit the freeway & begin driving thru downtown. and lots of blue & red flashing lights. for blocks, every left turn is closed by patrol cars or ambulances. i'm only slightly curious about what could possibly be happening so i'm able to bear to the right side & slip by the lines of gawkers as i look for my turn. having a truck especially with outta state plates gives one an advantage. did you know d.c. streets begin with letter names downtown, like a, b, c, etc. to z (i guess), and then it starts with one syllable names like ask, big, cat, etc.; and then 2 syllable names like ashland, bacon, etc.; then 3 syllable - that's how you know you're heading north & away from downtown.
finding gael & lorie's house is a snap - it is a huge house on a dark street, brightly lit & glowing a welcoming pink as i get a park right across the street. the whole front of the house beckons warmly as hot pink fills the windows and doors. lots of codepink wimmin are already there, working on making posters, banners, and sashes for the women's march & funeral on thursday. we are all excited & determined as we talk about our actions the next few days. i think i'll never be able to fall asleep, between the high energy and the amount of work that needs to be done to stop this regime.
i admire all the fabulous messages painted on banners & the rise/resist sashes, re-connect with familiar comrades and meet new ones. i begin painting a banner for the back of my truck to parade around d.c. tomorrow: "rise, resist, women's march & funeral procession, thursday 9:00 dupont circle". just before i get to the end of 'dupont', nausea and exhaustion overwhelm me. i brave the frigid cold to get my sleeping bag & stuff and then crash. we have an action in the a.m. and then the codepink organizing meeting, and an action in the p.m.