This morning, they wanted volunteers to help carry luggage for people taking advantage of Continental Airlines' offer for free one-way tickets anywhere. I went to help there, but there weren't enough people with luggage so I wasn't needed there. I got reassigned to the fifth floor to help with data entry for people looking for relatives. They didn't need me there either, and sent me to the first-floor computer lab. That, too, was a strike-out.

I ended up serving lunch on the first floor to the disabled and elderly. Food is usually served on the fourth floor, but we deliver meals to people who have difficulty making it up there. I took out trays with turkey and Swiss sandwiches, potato salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, chips, fruit, juice, water and soda, offering meals to anyone who didn't look like they could easily make it upstairs. Children would rush up and ask for chips. One boy, about 6 or 7 years old, punched me when I told him he couldn't have any.

I really liked the assignment. I got to interact with people, asking how they were doing and if they needed anything. I'm starting to recognize people by face, but I haven't had time to really strike up many conversations. I saw one mother who was teaching her son to read. "Ok, sound it out. Now read it back to me," she said, holding the book about dinosaurs.

I'm on the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift now with about 20 or so other volunteers. I'm not sure what I'll be doing each day; the supervisors will give daily reports when I arrive here at 6 a.m. They're trying hard to move people out of this temporary shelter and into more permanent housing.

2 p.m. CST

Church groups are wandering the Astrodome, praying with people who request it. I see a large prayer circle led by a local parishioner.

Also, free 10-minute massages are offered in the dome. There's a station with thee tables and professional masseuses set up.