from the picket line (3) uphill both ways

Today's strike attire!

If I only had kids, I could gleefully relate the story to their children about how I had to go on strike and walk a picket line uphill both ways! At least that's what it feels like we're doing. Pretty much I blame Mo for this new location since last week she said "We should picket further up the hill to get more exercise!" Grr.Everyone at our location was moved. There is no longer a picket line where we were last week. I think this is because the few residential places near it complained about the noise. Heck, I would have complained about the noise, too if I could. We brought ear plugs it was so bad. (Snare drums are not meant to be listened to for 4+ hours in a row right next to your head.)Unfortunately, our new location is waaaaaay up the steeeeeeep hill and I nearly didn't make it. I stopped at one point and tears leaked from my eyes. That was just getting there in the morning.Plus side, we're working off more calories (967!) and my back didn't hurt nearly as bad as our little oval went up and down hill for 4 hours. About an hour into our first location we were sent to a second one, which meant we had to go up and around, rather than through to the other end of the parking lot. On the way back I couldn't even make it up the stairs and Mo and Elise were at the top before I could get halfway. My lack of endurance is embarrassing. How out of shape I am makes me want to cry.When I got home I sat on the couch, started this post and then felt my eyes start to close. Off the dogs and I went for an hour-long nap. I couldn't even stand to make the dinner I was going to make tonight, so I have sent Shawn off to Subway to pick up something healthy(ish).Today was the first day we met with Those Kinds of Union People. You know the ones. The ones who don't want to move out of the way to let the cars pass. The ones who need to accost every single person that goes by. I hate those people. Bad enough they want everyone to carry noise makers (I do not). I am not about to deny access to people to a parking lot when it's ILLEGAL to do so, just to make a point. If people don't want to cross a picket line that's their prerogative. So while one person in particular was causing all sorts of trouble and making others follow, we stepped aside and had a snack break. I'm not playing along when the game gets stupid.I didn't want to strike. I need every cent of my crappy paycheck. The union has robbed me of that, so now I have to show up to get even crappier pay and do my 4 hours of picketing. That's all they get out of me. My presence. Once in a while I might carry a sign, but other than that? I'm only there because I need to pay my mortgage. I highly doubt the employer is going to change their tune even with a conciliator coming on Thursday. I'm sort of hoping that a arbitrator shows up shortly after and we can just end this and get back to work.Then again, thinking positive. I am spending 4+ hours outside, in the fresh air, getting exercise I would only wish I could get sitting at my desk for 8 hours. The pinched nerve in my shoulder thanks me for that. I am trying to look at that as the positive aspect of this stupid ordeal. Plus, being on that hill all week will tone my thighs and butt a little bit, right?I'm running out of goofy-themed shirts that are cool (temperature) enough to wear though. Might break out my Willow/Tara shirt for tomorrow, but it'll be rather warm I think. Plus it looks like rain. Great.