the political one

My diet is still atrocious, but that's not the important thing today.

Today, I went to the inauguration of the 44th President of these United States and the 1st African-American President of these same United States. I witnessed history in the making. History was cold and mostly only there because its friends were.

I am glad that I went, but mostly because of a random act of kindness, and because our new President is one hell of an orator. Wow. I had not heard him speak before the speech after he was inaugurated. (Give me a break, I don't follow politics. I didn't vote either. I was studying for a Calculus exam. Also, I live in MD. We don't vote red. And yes, I know that that's a terrible attitude towards voting, but, guess what? I got a relatively awesome grade on that test. That grade is the only reason I'm getting a shot at an A in Calc 2 this semester, instead of repeating Calc 1.) I can't feel but so bad, although deep down I would have liked to have voted. I usually do just for the principle of it, because I'm Black and Female, among other things, and my peoples had such a hard time getting the right to vote in the first place that I feel it generally incumbent upon me to exercise said right.

But I digress, back to my harrowing tale of adventure, Adams Morgan, all-night dining establishments, and bloody fucking cold temperatures.

I got to DC about 12 am this morning, found my bearings on the metro, got to the mall, saw that there was nothing going on except residual alchohol fumes making their way through the train cars (is there no one who parties without drinking?), and figured that I could go home and do yoga, warm up, and get some sleep. Then at the last minute, I hopped off the train, went back one stop to U street and walked to the Diner, a spot that I'd heard of, but never been to. I'd never been through Adams Morgan either, but I walked myself up to the line at the door to the Diner and waited for a table to open up. I had Life on the Line and was reading that and trying not to suck in second-hand smoke from the slightly drunk (?) girls ahead of me.

Actually, everybody I saw seemed at least a little bit alchohol-affected, but I guess that is normal for a party neighborhood at 3 am. I don't judge. You do it your way and I'll do it mine. :)

Anyway, I got into the restaurant and took off my coat and hat and sat down and almost as soon as I did, this woman came up to me and asked me if I was going to the inauguration, to which I replied in the affirmative. Then she asked me if I had a ticket, which I did not since neither Senator's office drew my name in their respective lotteries. Then, she offered me a ticket! She said she had just been waiting for the right person to come along. I was shocked and pleased. I had been planning to just go back to Baltimore at 4 am when the subways started running again. But, this, this changed the game. Now, I had to make use of a stranger's gift. I had to go to the inauguration of Barack Obama, 44th President.

So I did, but first I ate. The subways wouldn't start running again until 4 am anyway.

I got buttermilk pancakes with whipped cream and blueberry sauce and ate 2 of the 3. Restaurant pancakes are always WAY too big for me. Also, I still can't find waffles. I really want a waffle. I've wanted a good Belgian waffle for months now. Months. I had a hot chocolate too, also with whipped cream. I have a thing for whipped cream. It was good whipped cream too and the pancakes were pretty good too and the service made me comfortable, which is sometimes not easy, so all in all that was good too. I'd go back.

I went back to the metro, and rode the green line to the end (Branch Ave) and then people started filling the train up on their way to wait for the gates to open for ticket holders. The gates were scheduled to open at 9 am. It was 5 am.

At 5:30, I got out of the metro station with a bunch of other blue ticket holders (very slowly, since the station was packed).

We filed over to the area in front of the gates and then the waiting started.

At 8:30, the clump of people started to very slowly inch to the gates for bag inspection. We had to open our coats, let a policeman go through our bags and then walk to a spot in front of the capitol and wait. And wait. And wait more. There was a musical interlude and the various dignitaries were announced as they came in.

I had meant to interview people about why they were there, but I didn't, because the reasons seemed to quickly become apparent to me. Some of them were there because they really don't like Bush anymore, if they ever did. They were there to welcome change and usher in the new era.

Some were there because they wanted to be there, to buy a button that said "I was there", to leave their psychic scent mark on the DC air, to move from their normal life in NC, NY, SC, GA, or wherever and be part of something bigger than themselves for a few hours. Some were there because their friends were and they were hanging out and having fun and perhaps going to a ball in the evening.

I didn't interview anybody. I was cold and apparently feeling shy, or just being a wuss, or something.

Anyway, the dignitaries were announced and the crowd displayed their appreciation or lack thereof. Ted Kennedy got applause, as did Colin Powell. Bill Clinton with Hillary got massive applause. Al Gore and Joe Biden were also shown the love. Malia and Sasha Obama got huge applause as did the First Lady-Elect (That's what I'm calling her, since she wasn't yet First Lady at that point.) :}

Bush Sr. and Barbara Bush got applause. Bush Jr. got boos and the singing of a hearty rendition of "na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye", which is mean, but then I still have a job and can afford to have some sympathy.

Joe Biden took his oath and there was applause.

I hunched myself up for warmth, cramping most of my muscles in the process, and waited and waited and waited. There was more music: Aretha Franklin!, Yo Yo Ma!; Joe Biden took his oath.

Then, the big show. Barack Hussein Obama (What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name should smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title...) took his oath of office. Then, he gave the first speech that I had ever heard him give. I had heard that he was a good speaker, but oh my God, I had no idea.

I especially liked the part where he said: "And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

I like the sentiment.

It took me 6 hours to get home. My feet are still cold. My shoulders are still cramping. I haven't logged on wow for two days. (Hey, you laugh but ask a wow player, it's traumatic. :p) But, I went. I was there. I didn't have a better reason, except the idea to interview people and that felt wrong and I wasn't strong enough. But, I didn't force myself to do the interviews. I just went and was cold and I think it was worth it.

I might eventually find someone whose babies I want to have who wants me to have their babies. (Hello, are you out there? Sometime in the next five years would be good. :) )

Anyway, should I find that person and have his babies, our babies, maybe someday I'll get to say to them "I was there." I was there. Maybe it's worth something to the greater world and maybe not. But sometimes, just being there is enough.

And I'd like to end with an acknowledgment of President Obama's speechwriter. You do good work.