Live blogging: Inauguration!!

5:30am Went to the gym, the cycling class was full (!) so I ran and then did 1/2hr of 24Lift.

6:45am Attempted to go to a local theater to watch with my fellow Americans but there was a line around the corner.

7:22 Initiating plan B: watch from home and gush about it on my computer.

7:42 This day is so exciting to me; not just because he is the first black president, not just because he is a Dem (YES!!!) but because we've duly elected another president in a democratic and non-violent fashion. Today is a day to celebrate democracy and the other 2 reasons are just icing on the cake.

7:44am Why is Laura Bush wearing her bathrobe?

7:45 I will want to write more about this later (and maybe just for myself since some sneaky people who know me IRL have found this blog) but I miss and have more regrets today that I didn't get to know my Omi and Opa as an adult. I wish I knew what this day would mean to him. Did he imagine this day? What would he think? I wish they both could have seen this day but even more than that I wish I had gotten to know some of the momentous days in their histories. I wish I could really know some of the obstacles he had to overcome to build his life. I want to know how his time in history affected his choices.

7:52 How intense must this day be for any incoming president? Talk about the weight of the world on your shoulders.

7:54 I LOVE DC. Our Capital is so awesome! I have pledged to myself to live there for some piece of time in my life. I would be honored if I could be there to serve my country in some way. Lawmakers have such an opportunity to change the lives of their constituents. I imagine it must be a humbling experience to take an oath of office like President Obama is about to take.

7:59 Barack Obama will be president in 1 hour. How amazing.

8:01 I am not sorry to see G.W. Bush go but I imagine it must be an enormous day to relinquish the power/responsibility of the presidency. Unfortunately I believe him to be such an egotist that he may not appreciate the enormity.

8:03 Chief Justice Roberts' first swearing in. UGH!!!! HOW DID W GET TO NAME 2 JUSTICES?!?! UGH

8:14 Ha! Sad. They just commented that Bush41 was struggling walking and that "age was taking its toll" then the Carters walked out and the commentators said they were "walking briskly." The Clintons look great and I think they are an amazingly unique couple who have done so much in their lives. Wow.





8:17 The first time I was at the Mall (and my first time in DC) it was for the march for women's lives in 2004





The last time was for the million more march (the 10year anniversary of the Million Man March 10/05).



Both of those days were amazingly memorable and in large part because I have never been a part of a collective sea of people the way it was in those cases. There is something very powerful about being just a thread in the fabric of history. I imagine the people who have spent all day on the mall are feeling that 10fold.


8:34 "A peaceful transfer of power" I am very aware of how lucky we are for this and very grateful for it.

8:37 the last "Hail to the Chief" for Bush!

8:39 As goofy as it sounds to put it on paper, I love my country. I'm proud of how much we've done and the principles that we are striving to achieve. I am proud because, while I realize we're imperfect, I never doubt that we will strive to be better and to do better. I am grateful to our founders for their bravery and wisdom in forming this nation and laying down guidelines in our constitution that we could build upon and use to strengthen it. I'm grateful to those before me who pushed boundaries, opened doors, ignored obstacles and broke ceilings. I accept that we can't stop pushing and that each generation inherits, with the advances, the responsibility to strive for more.

8:57 The 20th amendment says he is President in 3 minutes. Here goes Biden. (John Paul Stevens is adorable). Is Jill Biden holding a large print or Braille bible? It is giant.

9:00 Biden has taken his oath and it is noon EST, Barack Obama is president of the United states. (they should cut the music since they're behind schedule)

9:02 I remember so clearly sitting and watching this PISSED OFF in 01. I was sad in 05. I was sort of aggravated both times but I still remember being choked up at the enormity. This time I am an embarrassing mess...maybe it is for the best that I'm alone.

9:05 The oath. Wow, simple words that accompany such huge responsibility.

9:14 Wow! A shout out to science (I think to quote "raise it up to where it should be"). I like that he sounds like he isn't going to take the excuse that now isn't the time for an ambitious agenda. DON"T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN SAFETY AND IDEALS. America is ready to lead once more.

9:20 "A new era of peace". With all my heart I hope so.

9:22 'Can't afford to ignore the suffering outside our borders'. With all my heart i hope we learn how to help and act fast.

9:23 'The values on which our success depends are old'. Agreed wholeheartedly but we may need a refresher on how to express them.

9:26 This was way better than blubbering and blabbering with strangers. Now I have a record of my thoughts on this big day. I have to change one sentiment from President Obama's final words. I say God Bless the World.