On Wednesday, September 23, I collected signatures for the California Cannabis Initiative in front of Walmart in the City of Elk Grove, a suburb of Sacramento.  I had obtained prior telephone permission from manager Ryan.  I arrived at about 1:30pm.  Usually I try to start much earlier and catch the lunch crowd, but responsibilities at home precluded me from departing until then.  The weather was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and there was no shade.  Luckily I had powerful sunglasses and a straw hat that shaded most of my head.  

I worked for less than an hour when two Walmart employees approached me.  They told me that I could not be there, because I was not written down on the schedule.  I replied that Ryan had booked me for that day, so I would be working that location on that day.  The employees tried several more bait and switch approaches to try to persuade me to leave.  I told them that I would pack up my table as a courtesy to them.  But as soon as I packed up my table I intended to speak with the acting manager on duty, and get it straightened out.  

Before I had a chance to get my belongings in my car, a cameraman and news reporter from channel 3 showed up.  They had been looking to do a story on the pot initiatives, and during a game of phone tag with the NBC affiliate I had informed them about my tabling schedule.  Emboldened by the presence of the press, I re-set up my table.  They filmed a brief interview with me, captured some people signing, and got a good, candid interview with a random signer.  The coverage was respectful, and was done well.  

After the media left, I went inside to speak with the manager.  After briefly explaining the situation to Manager Venus (actual name), she said it was fine, I could collect signatures there.  

So I continued working for another couple more hours, until the sun baked me through and through.  Hopefully I left before my sunburn got too bad.  

I arrived home in plenty of time to see myself on T.V.  It was the second story, broadcast at 6:00, and it played well.  

It was a good day.

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