Yesterday a load of lumber was dropped off in our loading dock downtown. We blamed the contractors and looked into getting it moved. Today a man with a hand saw was working with that same pile of lumber. He explained that he was boarding up our alleyway. The rest of the lumber was "just in case."
Similar to preparations made for a hurricane, businesses are boarding up and people are getting out of town. But instead of Mother Nature's wrath, my city is guarded against protestors' bricks. The commonly accepted notion is that protestors will be coming with cart loads of bricks or possibly dismantling buildings to steal the bricks. However they are acquiring these bricks, they will most assuredly throw them through windows.
As I rode home from downtown to the North Side tonight, I expected to see armies marching around with riot gear on, protestors swinging from the trees throwing poo, and general mayhem. My sense of anticipation had gotten ahead of me. In reality I saw people going to work the nightshift cleaning downtown buildings, people on their way back from dinner, and the Pirate game letting out. It was a simple, quiet evening. Even the crew of men erecting the 8' barricade down Penn Ave. seemed to be doing it in a calm manner. I returned to my apartment a bit disappointed, but certain that there would be stories to come.
My excitement is fueled by my work place location, only a block away from the Convention Center. We also have an "unofficially" important role as a media center. So important in fact, that we have box meals ordered for our skeleton staff for the rest of the week.
More interesting than work is the invitation I scored to the Clean Energy For American reception being held at the Andy Warhol Museum and hosted by Teresa Heinz and Senator John Kerry tomorrow night.
I will fall asleep tonight relishing in the unknown. So should you.
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