making the rounds

So here is my attempt to recap at a 5th grade writing level (on request from my Dad’s class) the events of my historic weekend. Enjoy the mispellings , oversimplifications and the highly (!) censored content to protect their innocence .

It was hard not to have exceptions or ideas of how Inauguration weekend in Washington DC was going to be like. Since the very popular Barack Obama was elected in November, everyone in the city had their own thoughts on how crazy, how cold, and how fun it could to be living and working here during such a historic time. Truthfully I was a little overwhelmed.  But a friend, told me that is was  best is to not have any expectations,plan a few things, but just go with the flow. I tried to keep that advice in mind as the big 4 day weekend rolled around.

One of the best parts of my weekend was having a big full house of guests from all across the country. My roommate Johnny had 8 guests  all packed in like sardines on blow up beds in the  basement. Johnny’s friends from Brooklyn were super enthusiastic from the moment they walked in the door. They had worked on Obama’s campaign by knocking people doors and talking to them about how Obama would be a great president. Johnny’s nephew and two friends from Vermont also came. Lastly his  parents – immigrants from Russia and Switzwerald , but now live part of the time in Vermont- came down for the big event.  Chris, who helps his Dad run a small farm in Oklahoma and friend of my roommate Vinnie, also stayed with us.

During the day on Sunday, my friend from work Sarah and I went to see this first opening concert. Some of my old favortives- Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder- played music in front of a million people. It was cold and we weren’t in the best of spots to hear or so see the event so we left earlier.

That night my friend Evan from Ithaca, where I went to college, came over with a few friends. Our house was packed with excited people. The next day it was really fun, because we got to eat lots of food together. Johnny’s Dad made us fish soup and I made cranberry cheesecake.

On the big day, I woke up super early to walk down the Washington Monument. My house is about 2 miles away and the event started 11am but with 2 million people – my friends and I wanted to get there earlier. The inauguration event planners had  told the crowd of people not bring any bags. I managed to put everything I need in my   pockets , which  if  you ask my Dad is no small task with the amount of stuff I usually carry in purse! So with hand warmers and hand 5 layers under my jacket I went out of my house in 32 degrees to well witness a slice of history.

It was certainly the busiest I had ever seen the streets around my house so earlier in the morning.  Since there was 2 million people downtown there we had to follow a very particular route to our scouted location near the Washington Moument. It was very  cold and early but everyone was in really good mood, laughing and making jokes and telling stories of what they did that weekend or were going to do that night. Thankfully, the sun sone very brightly.

My friend Kate and Eric and I found perfect spot near the Washington Monument like we had hoped at around 9:30am in the morning.  We were going to watch the show on the jumbotron about 100 feet away from us. This one of about 10 jumbrotrons all along the Mall. The start of the event was still an hour half so we had time to kill talking and dancing with people around us. Being in the middle of it all it was hard for a short person like me to tell how many people were really there. But afterwards I looked at picture and all the event goers just looked like ants to me. It was really crazy.

We watched all the famous lawmakers, musicians and figures ( like the boxer Muhammad Ali) walk on to the stage. Many of them did not wear hats, which made me cold to look it.

The ceremony it self was very short. Arthea Franklin sang the opening song. Both President Obama and Vice President Biden needed to be sworn in by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. They put their hands on the Bible and publicly promised to do the job that the American people elected them to do. They swore they would obey our country’s founding document the Constitution.

Everyone hugged and kissed and shouted and clapped just like a big wedding, but with 2 million onlookers who also pay you. Getting home was even more crazy. I spent most of the time only being able to see my feet as we slowly shuffled out towards our homes. It took about 2 hours, but I got a nice warm empanda at the end so I was very content.

That night, I was very lucky to have a gotten a ticket from my co-worker to the Neighborhood Ball. Traditionally the President attends official balls to celebrate and thank the people who helped him become president. The Neighborhood Ball was for Washington DC residents, especially those who were community organizers like Obama had been,  and was the only ball open to the public.

My friend Sarah and I arrived in our fancy clothes to the Convention Center at the perfect time. It was so cold but we ran into the building because were so excited. To top it off, it was televised on ABC and Beyonce was going to sing while Barack and Michelle danced their first dance as President and First Lady.

The whole event felt a lot like a Soul Train special. I couldn’t believe how close I got to famous singers like Stevie Wonder,Mary J Blige, Mariah Carey, Sharika, Sting,  Jay Z, and Alicia Keyes. Leo D’ Caprio and Denzel Washington were also there. I was al ittle star struck even if I wasn’t crazy about the songs.

At the end of the night, I walked in the freezing weather to a party with my friend Evan to see his brother’s band play Gyspy jazz. It was really fun to finally take off my heels and dance in my stockings.

All and all, it was incredible weekend and I am beyond lucky to be able to be in DC during this time. But, I am beat and glad it only happens every 4 years or so… because I am very tired.

** I realized a few things , both on a personal level and greater societal level about  how much perspective and context play into trying to relay a first hand account. Re:  Sat. 2 am. Re: Sunday 2 am, Re: Monday 2 am, Re: Tuesday 2 am

I kept feeling like I talk down to these kids. But ya know, they are  my Dad’s students not  my cuzins,or my siblings or god, help us, my own children  so I gotta respect that. But, I know I  would rather hear the unhappy, hairy, complex details  of any story and maybe they would too.