We didn't actually get to do the walk portion of the commute due to other obligations, but we made it to the lot and settled in.

It was a neat experience and I got some decent photos, and while I was thrilled to be able to participate and show support for the Night Commuters in Uganda, I was a little disappointed in this event. Granted, I was a bit grouchy anyway, but I don't think the experience was what I was hoping it would be... for one thing, DH and I felt OLD , the vast majority of this crowd were from High School youth groups or early college.  It also had the feeling of a bit of a "meat market" atmosphere as said young folks, made somewhat clumsy attempts at flirting with one another... rather amusing but really took away from the experience for me.  It was also rather "cliquey" with people from church groups and other organizations staying mainly with those that they already knew and joking and whispering amongst their respective groups.

We decided to make the best of this and really try to enjoy ourselves and settled into the next phase of the event, the letter writing.  DH & I each dutifully wrote our letters, one to President Bush, the other to Senator Reid, all the while trying to ignore the sounds of "What are we writing about?" and "Is this for Somalia or Sudan?" or "How do I address the President?" "Isn't he the Commander in Chief?" "No! He's not our Commander in Chief!", the last bit making us both think long and hard about removing DD from the public school system.   By this point, it was getting fairly dark and as the event coordinators kept moving the lights about, it was rather hard to finish writing the letters and working on our art projects as you couldn't be sure where the light you needed would be coming from.  The entire group got together for a night shot in front of a Las Vegas, NV banner and DH and I laughed when a photographer next to us jokingly shouted, "Everyone over 25 raise their hands!" There seemed to be very few of us We all settled back into our "nests" and continued writing letters and/or working on art projects.

Meanwhile, in a group near the Art Project table area just in front of us, a young lady was playing guitar and she and her group were singing Christian songs... which, all in all, wasn't BAD perse, but didn't sit well with me as it only made me feel that much more out of the group.  I listened and appreciated the music for what it was, the girl played fairly well and had a nice, melodic voice.  Meanwhile I continued working on my art project, turning this way and that in order to try to get more light and not strain my eyes so much.  The music ended and one of the information "Posse" members (one of the neon green shirts) sat in the chair recently vacated by the guitar player and began to speak about what the Global Night Commute and the Invisible Children.com film meant to her.  I listened and enjoyed it somewhat, but was put off by the religious note of the speech.  When she began going into more and more of the religion, I more or less tuned it out as I really didn't want to feel any more alienated than I already did...   I didn't realize that DD had been paying attention until she said, "Looks like Jesus has some friends over there!" making DH and I dissolve into LOUD peals of laughter ... which was probably seen as disrespectful, but honestly... it was too funny, I couldn't hold back!

Then it was lights out and DH left to go home and be with Allie (I'm not comfy leaving her home alone all  night just yet) and DD settled down to sleep... no easy feat considering how much noise there was around us.  I finally got her down and proceeded to finish up my art project, sharing a book and a pen with our "neighbor" and having a nice lady nearby offer me her flashlight when she realized that mine was on it's last legs (I had fixed it to my head with a sweatshirt tied behind my ears in order to see better). .  I was just finishing up when a young lady behind me began having a nightmare and calling for help and whining in her sleep.   I looked about for her friends and I KNEW I was not the only one who could hear her,yet I saw no one coming to her aid.  So I set my items down and took down my freaky looking headdress... flashlight in hand I walked to her side and gently tapped her to try to wake her up.  She didn't stir, but moaned in apparent agony and again asked for help and said "Make them stop!" Puzzled, I looked around again and saw a few wide-eyed young ladies just in front of her watching my progress.  One of them whispered, "Is she ok???" I shrugged and tried tapping the young lady again, then stroked her forehead a little and said, "Hey, wake up..." she stirred and looked stunned to see me standing over her.  I asked if she was ok and she said, "Yeah..." I let her know that she was having a nightmare and talking in her sleep... then wandered back to my blanket.  She got up immediately, went to talk to some friends and not two minutes later I heard the sound of an engine and a vehicle leaving the lot and knew she had probably gone home... I hope she's ok.

So I finally finished up my art project, I took a photo of it so that I would have a copy to remember and turned it in.  Picked up my art supplies and finally lay down next to DD to enjoy the night.... I watched the stars and listened to the sounds of the crickets and tried to ignore the giggles, whispers and the loud banter of the group around the firepit who were eating smores.  The ground was hard and no longer warm from the heat of the day... and I tried to ignore the rock digging into my thigh and tried not to think of the many creepy crawly things that might find their way into my sleeping bag.   I thought of the children, and what they face day to day... how even the small comforts that DD and I had that night so many of them would consider a great luxury... how I could sleep safely and securely and not worry that anyone was going to take me into the Bush and force me to a life of violence and death.  I drifted off to sleep... thoughts of the children in my dreams and the sound of crickets in my ears.

I woke in the morning and could see others around me rubbing bleary eyes and struggling out of their sleeping bags and blankets.  People began to pack up and donated blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows were piled in front of an RV.  The group got together for another group photo with the banner and at that point, DH showed up to pick DD and I up and began taking our items to the truck.  DD and I put our pillows and sleeping bags in the donation pile and turned when we noticed the group gathering in a circle.  They had apparently gathered together to pray... I'm not saying that it was bad, because positive energy directed in that manner shouldn't be bad... my issue with it is that it makes those of us who do not believe in their religion outsiders... it was all I needed to feel just that much less a part of this event. DH helped DD and I into the truck and drove home... he took us out for breakfast and I related the night's events to him.

All in all, I will say that it was a good event.  There was a lot of positive energy and good vibes, good humor and decent people coming together to help Ugandan children.  I really didn't enjoy the Christian atmosphere that had found it's way into what was supposed to be a non-denominational event.... but I guess that when people are given a cause and an opportunity to share their religious views, it's hard not to "witness", thinking that there may be other like-minded individuals there who will be happy to hear someone preach the "word". Unfortunately for me, all that did was make me feel as though I didn't belong... and because I had been so excited to particpate and be a part of this event... that was the biggest let down of all.

Event photos (original photos, please use only with permission):

DD & "Malaysia" the Dobie say, "SUPPORT Invisiblechildren.com!"

Yes, I did move her so that she wasn't completely on the pavement ....

Yes, I eventually moved her again, to keep her away from the ickiness of the rocks....

In the morning....

Yeah, she's not really a "morning" person lol.  Awww... she's training up nicely,... mommy's little rebel!

I am SO tired...   DD & I just got back from InvisibleChildren.com's Global Night Commute and I have to say that sleeping on the asphalt is pretty damn uncomfortable.

Especially since I'm older now ... I offcially turned 30 on April 22.

I will update more on the GNC later... I need to go take a shower and a nap!

I'm sorry I didn't share this earlier, this video always makes me laugh and smile (those of you who have been to Disneyland and seen the Michael Jackson musical "Captain EO" will know why )