Inauguration Day - It Was History And I Was Part Of It

Wow, where do I even start? This has been one of the longest yet most incredible days of my life. It all started at 7:30 this morning when I left from Arlington, Virginia to get into town. Thankfully, I wasn't one of the people trying to take the Metro, I had a driver with a special pass to get across the bridge. He drove me as far as he could, which was up to the Washington Monument. Sounds fairly close, right? Well, normally that walk wouldn't have been a problem, but when you add 3947838475698768234 people into the mix, it gets a little complicated. From 8:15am until 10:15am I walked... walked... walked... and then walked some more. Why so much walking? It was total pandemonium. Not to mention, I was trying to meet up with Killeen High School. Between the blocked up cell network and the 45,000 security personnel giving all kinds of conflicting directions and blocking off streets; it was a difficult day. I was re-routed to the silver section security about 5 times. There were moments where I was honestly worried about getting trampled. People, with or without tickets, were knocking over barricades and jumping over fences; all just trying to get a little bit closer to the Capitol. I have never seen anything like this in my life. I have never been around so many people in one place. With almost complete assurance, I can say that I will never again witness something like this.
After getting through all the madness and realizing it wasn't likely I would find Killeen High, I decided just to take in the scenes around me and witness history. There were things I saw that I liked...and things that I didn't. First off, I didn't think it was too cool that people without tickets were shoving their way in, making an already hectic scene further confusing. Second, I thought it was really disrespectful when the former presidents Bush were announced; there were tons of "boos".
Beyond the negative, the truly amazing part of today was seeing how one man can inspire a nation. President Obama's speech was, no doubt, invigorating for our country. No matter what one's political background, his call to Americans was both profound and necessary.
After the ceremony, I walked to the Rayburn House Building, where Congressman Edwards’s office is. Apparently lots of other people thought that was a good idea too...and yet again I was stuck in a giant mob of people.
The story of the rest of the day really tells itself as I spent it trying to get around the millions of people. What a long and incredible day!

I Haven't Met Obama Yet (Sunday1/18)

Today has been an exciting day, I started it off when I went to pick up my media pass for the Black Tie and Boots Ball.
I went to pick up my ticket at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, which was bustling with workers from production companies, catering services, and decorators...all getting ready for the party, a truly Texan extravaganza. They already had a big shiny boot up as part of the decor...ooo i can't wait to go!!! I was lucky enough to attend last inauguration in January 2005 and go to this ball. IT WAS AWESOME. I'm sure this year won't disappoint, especially if the buzz around town is true - that President Bush may make one final hoorah at BT & Boots...and MAYBE, just MAYBE Obama will make an appearance too.
Traffic is a mess! They started to close down bridges and major roads and getting around has been hectic. I finally met up with Killeen High at Iwo Jima, they had just come from the Arlington National Cemetery, where Obama and Biden were just hours before.

First Impressions (Saturday 1/17)

I said it on the phone during the 6pm newscast and I mean it, there is such a feeling of excitement here, a sense of elation about the huge changes that our country is about to face.
It's as if thoughts of a failing economy and soaring unemployment are light years away, and instead everyone is focused on the change of power, as Barack Obama becomes our nation's first black president.
Today was a long day of traveling. Starting bright and early, I left DFW airport at 8am, connected in Cleveland, then got into Washington National around 2pm. It was so neat, as we were landing, out popped the Capital and several monuments on my left. I pulled out the flip camera and got shots of the sights below.
The airport was busy, but not as crazy as I has expected, the real crowd is supposed to be in Sunday afternoon.