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Post by mlm828 on Jan 20, 2009 19:29:54 GMT -5
What an amazing day! I may have been 3000 miles away from the throngs on the National Mall, but I was there in spirit. As President Obama made clear in his inaugural address, difficult times and hard choices await us, but I am hopeful, because I believe that, at last, we have a President who will actually seek to address our many problems, instead of blaming others for them or denying they exist.
One of the many emotions I have experienced today is simple relief. And I couldn't help thinking of Gerald Ford's words (in a very different context): "Our long national nightmare is over."
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Post by mlm828 on Jan 20, 2009 19:49:18 GMT -5
Today was an amazing day. So much history. The sea of people was so incredible. I watched the inauguration with third graders. We talked about how many people were watching it all over the world at the same time. One little girl just had to go to the restroom. I thought she would have to say years later when asked, "Where were you when Barack Obama made history...." She almost had to say the restroom. Thankfully, she got back in time and can now answer, I watched it with my fellow students. The number from Itzak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma was so amazing and fit the mood so well. I hope the best for President Obama as we all do. Just a little housekeeping -- adding Lindy's post (which was simultaneous with my post starting this thread) so they're both in the same thread. |
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Post by shmeep on Jan 21, 2009 10:33:21 GMT -5
It was a beautiful day. Cold, but exciting. Kenina got us tickets and we took a train into town yesterday and, despite several adventures and detours and many hours stuck in human gridlock, we made it to the Mall just behind the Reflecting Pool. We weren't close enough to see anything and we weren't near any giant screens, but we heard it all and got to experience being a part of one of the happiest crowds ever. My favorite part? When it was over, we met an African American woman who had flown in from California with her grown son. She was teary-eyed and said, "Now he knows he can do anything he wants," patting her son. It was powerful. She and her son were lovely people and Kenina thoughtfully offered to take a picture of them with the capital behind them. My other favorite part? After it was over, people started walking on water. Really! The Reflecting Pool was frozen. It looked like fun, but we were not brave enough to attempt it ourselves.
I'm tired and sore and a little sick today, but I'm glad we got to be there for that. It was weird, commuting right back into DC today to the same station that was so crazed just yesterday and seeing it all back to normal so soon.
Did you hear there wasn't a single arrest in all the confusion yesterday? I'm so proud of this city and of all the beautiful Obama supporters who filled it yesterday. Now if only the out-of-towners could learn not to block the escalators! Stand to the right. Climb to the left. How hard is that?
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Post by inuvik on Jan 21, 2009 15:08:49 GMT -5
Now if only the out-of-towners could learn not to block the escalators! Stand to the right. Climb to the left. How hard is that? Ha! I agree. A pet peeve of mine.  |
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Post by maggiethecat on Jan 22, 2009 9:45:19 GMT -5
Sorry to be so late to the party, once again.  Tuesday was absolutely splendid and I indulged myself in watching every moment I could. I knew it was going to be good but I didn't know it was going to be THAT good! A perfect day, right down to the details. I really feel proud, and as though this country has turned a major psychological corner. |
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Post by hoosier on Jan 22, 2009 18:16:02 GMT -5
Now I guess I can say that I knew a couple of people who actually attended the inaugural. That doesn't happen every day!
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Post by Eyphur on Jan 22, 2009 20:51:50 GMT -5
Now if only the out-of-towners could learn not to block the escalators! Stand to the right. Climb to the left. How hard is that? Ha! I agree. A pet peeve of mine. When I went to DC for the first time in 2000, several of my classmates ran up the down escaltors. We got yelled at by the Metro employees. Our teacher was mad too. |
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Post by matilda on Jan 25, 2009 7:07:28 GMT -5
Well Lindy, you can tell the third graders you know people in Australia who got up at 3.30 am to watch!
All I can say is, you people really know how to put on an event.
It was wonderful, magnificent - what can I say? And it just gets better every day ....
Congratulations all, thanks to you the world feels hopeful!
Matilda
Re the elevators - funny, we do it the other way around and I have to say the out-of-towners who stand to the right, blocking the pathway that we're all trying to walk (rush) up on drives all of us crazy as well! One of my pet peeves too, hence I try VERY hard when I'm elsewhere to get into local groove and I'm with all of you - how hard can it be? Clearly the rule is the same side as the country drives. Duh.
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