Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 01:58 PM GMT+4

The Obamas and Bidens just arrived at the White House. It looks like
about 400,000 people also just got off the Metro and are on the mall.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:00 PM GMT+4

And another 400,000... and another...

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:18 PM GMT+4

The Chiefs of the Diplomatic Missions are making their way to their seats
to the sounds of the Marine Band playing old presidential marches.

Looks like Joe Biden just arrived at the Capitol.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:24 PM GMT+4

The big busses filled with close personal friends just arrived at the
Capitol. They get to sit close to the new president, and will get good
seats for the parade later on.

The glass ceiling of the new welcome center is visible in the parking lot. I
used to ride my bike around there a lot, then ride down the hill to the
reflecting pool. One of the best fountains in DC is near the pathway
down. It's a little grotto for first ladies and senatorial wives from long
ago and is a great place to escape on a hot day - though probably not
today.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:29 PM GMT+4

The stage where Obama will take his oath is something they build for
these events. Almost directly below where he'll be speaking is another
fountain. The closest one can usually stand to his podium is right above
the archway with the red curtain.

This crowd is huge. Bush I and Clinton filled the Capitol lawn and just a
bit down the Mall. This crowd goes on and on.

Here come members of the House.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:32 PM GMT+4

The Governors have arrived, as has the Mayor of DC. (Perhaps DC can
become a state now.) It is a political lovefest as they snap photos of one
another and head toward their seats. Some nice scarves on display.

The band is very good, providing proper pomp.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:42 PM GMT+4

The people on the lawn near the Capitol have tickets and have gone
through extra security to be so close. There is a perimeter out there
near the edges of the lawn, fenced, and on other side are people who
just showed up.

When you stand at the back of the Capitol and look out, the view is
quite something. There is a great expanse of lawn (and today, people)
and your eye is drawn by the Washington Monument and Lincoln
Memorial in the distance. There are usually planes flying in low over
the Lincoln.

On the right is the National Art Museum...

.. Obama is making his way down Pennsylvania Ave to the Capitol.
Lots and lots of police and security.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:50 PM GMT+4

Members of the Senate are now arriving. More cameras and scarves.

Barbara Bush has arrived. There's Cindy McCain.

Leahy and Sanders!

Anyway, looking from the podium, on the left you can see the
Botanical Gardens - a perfect place to go on a day like today. It's
tropical. There's the new Native American Museum, Air & Space, the
Hirschorn, Smithsonian, African American and Asian museums...

One the right, after the art museum are the natural history and
history museums.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 02:58 PM GMT+4

Beyonce. Colin Powell. P-Diddy. Ahhnold.

Everyone's getting settled. The Mall crowd seems to still be growing. It
looks full down to the Washington Monument.

Now Obama is really on his way. (The last one was a false-Obama - it
was the Bushes.) About 17 security vehicles, the limo, plus weapons and
communications vehicles, and a TV camera truck.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:05 PM GMT+4

The Obamas arrive at the Capitol. Quite the entourage. Lots of secret
service, staff, and photographers.

Everyone "arrives" on the east side of the building, the one facing the
Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. There is a great lawn with
beautiful, big, old trees. There are tunnels connecting all the buildings.

The Supreme Court members are coming out to take their seats. They
have their robes on.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:14 PM GMT+4

Obama staff coming out and taking their seats. Lots of photo snapping
going on.

The statue on top of the Capitol faces east, toward Anacostia. That
part of town was expected to develop into the port, but Georgetown
happened instead. It's called the "Statue of Freedom" and her helmet
is encircled by stars and features a crest composed of an eagle's head,
feathers, and talons. She's large - they took her down a while back to
do some repairs and you could see that she's multi-storied.

Former presidents and vice presidents are taking their seats. Mondale.
Gore.

A display of flags occurring near the band.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:21 PM GMT+4

Every once in a while you can hear helicopters fly by overhead.

Time for the ex-Presidents... Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., Bill
Clinton.

The band plays fanfares.

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:27 PM GMT+4

I've been stream surfing, and I'm finding I like the one at:

http://www.pic2009.org/content/home/

Its the web HQ of the Presidential Inaugural Committee

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:26 PM GMT+4

The second Cspan camera is showing a moving truck at the White House.
Big boxes being moved.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:34 PM GMT+4

Jenna and the young Bush family members are there with Laura.

Young Obamas are there.

Must almost be showtime.

Here comes Michelle Obama. Bright yellow outfit with white stitching,
fashion fans. Lots of cheers.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:39 PM GMT+4

Bush and Cheney, come on down! They are the next to arrive.

Bush goes over to say hi to the Obama kids. He's telling others their hats
are nice.

Cheney is smiling in a wheelchair.

And here come Joe Biden, the VP to be. (Cue the fanfare... and go.)

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:42 PM GMT+4

Interesting, perhaps theatrical (pity for the ogre?) bit there - Cheney suddenly ending up in a wheelchair right before the inauguration?

Authored by: annikee on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:01 PM GMT+4

MSM says he pulled his back moving out of the offices. Riight. That's why he's drooling.

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!

Authored by: Maus Anon E on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 06:17 PM GMT+4

***MSM says he pulled his back moving out of the offices.***
I thought that was the funniest lie I had heard in a long time. Sure, the billionaire VP pulled his back loading up the U-Haul. Sure.



---
Freemarket economy: A socialist system in which workers' earnings are redistributed to affluent citizens.

Authored by: Floyd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:55 PM GMT+4

All he needs now is a monocle and a large cane and he'll look just like Mr. Potter the Scrooge of Bedford Falls, and all of America.

Or if you add a cigarette holder and top hat Cheney could be The Penguin.

Authored by: Maus Anon E on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 03:18 AM GMT+4

I thought of Dr. Strangelove, myself.

---
Freemarket economy: A socialist system in which workers' earnings are redistributed to affluent citizens.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:43 PM GMT+4

All sorts of Sargeants of Arms, Senator Feinstein, Steny Hoyer, etc.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the President-elect, Barack Obama.

Wild cheering.

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:52 PM GMT+4

Did you notice the smattering of applause for Rick Warren? I hope this choice helps with a real "Big Tent" gathering to help people join together. But I personally find him, and the language he uses, offensive.

Authored by: mr.mike on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:52 PM GMT+4

Would someone from Landover Baptist been more appropriate? ;)

---
Vermont, where people are milked more than cows when it comes to taxes.

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 05:05 PM GMT+4

Naw, not the wrong franchise, its just that he is a fundie nutcase. However, we live in a diverse nation. And Obama's choices in such regards show that he really is striving to be a uniter. So, I hope it does help draw the nation together.

But, for fun -- somebody from Landover Baptist would have been cool! Or, since this week I'm a Pastifarian - somebody from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster would have been great! I first became aware of having been touched by His noodley appendage with their open letter some years ago to the Kansas School Board: http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/

Authored by: pjmelton on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:12 PM GMT+4

I was moved by the Shaker hymn, myself. Much more than I was by the oozingly false piety of the celebrity preacherman.

---
You’re entitled to your own opinions — but you’re not entitled to your own facts.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:53 PM GMT+4

They are all in their places with bright smiling faces.

Welcome. "The world is watching... this is a turning point for
change... we pledge ourselves to the renewed call to greatness."

Here comes Rick Warren and the invocation.

"Our Father, everything comes from you, it all belongs to you... the
Lord is one. You are loving to everyone you have made. A hingepoint
of history - our first african american president of the U.S. We are so
grateful to live in this land. Dr. King is shouting in heaven. Give
Obama wisdom, courage, compassion... bless and protect him, his
family, and our leaders. We're united by freedom and justice. Forgive
us for not being good people. May we have a new birth of clarity in
our aims... seek the common good of all. One day all nations will
stand accountable before you (God). In the name of Jesus, Our Father
who art in heaven... for ever, Amen."

Authored by: janed on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:54 PM GMT+4

ARETHA!

---
janed

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:55 PM GMT+4

You beat me to exactly what I was going to holler (virtually):


Aretha! Yes!

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:56 PM GMT+4

Awesome. I'll bet that is the a new high for music during the Inauguration!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:56 PM GMT+4

Aretha Franklin sings "My Country T'is of Thee"

She has a nice big grey bow on her hat.

Let freedom ring...

Authored by: annikee on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 06:52 PM GMT+4

I have to admit indulging the same sophomoric humor as the Daily Show at Ms. Franklin's choice of word break. :D

---
We have overcome.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 03:58 PM GMT+4

John Paul Stevens gives oath of office to Joe Biden.

Biden swears he will support and defend the Constitution against all
enemies...

It's official... goodbye Cheney.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:02 PM GMT+4

Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, and two others I missed... doing a John
Williams arrangement. (I thought I saw Steven Spielberg there a while
ago.)

These parts are painful (as in "it's cold and I can't hear anything") when
you are stuck beyond the perimeter. Back in the day, we'd huddle around
portable radios that people brought to try to get a fix on what was
happening over the fence, across the lawn, up at the podium.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:06 PM GMT+4

Chief Justice John Roberts to administer Oath of Office.

Mr. Obama looks pretty happy.

"I, Barack Hussein Obama, due solemnly swear to protect and defend..."

It's official. We have a new president.

Goodbye Bush.

Authored by: annikee on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:07 PM GMT+4

Our long national nightmare is over.

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:11 PM GMT+4

We are cooking a goose tonight, in celebration of Bush's goose being cooked, and in hope that the damage that has been done isn't big enough that our collective goose is cooked!

Authored by: annikee on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 03:36 AM GMT+4

There was something fitting about Roberts screwing up the oath and Obama straightening him out.

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:17 PM GMT+4

Presenting the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Cheers.

(We'll put a copy of the speech up later).

All streaming media sites seem overwhelmed. Switching to back-up TV.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:27 PM GMT+4

"...A new era of responsibility. We have duties. Remember who we are.
Hope and virtue. Icy currents..."

That is one enormous crowd.

Now they go in and have lunch. We commoners would be now racing to
get good parade seats, and trying to stay warm.

Bush should be flying away sometime soon.

Authored by: annikee on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:35 PM GMT+4

All respect for Rev. Lowery, this inauguration is way too religious for my liking....

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:38 PM GMT+4

Great benediction. We'll have to track down a copy of his remarks.

We'll look for the poem, too.

Authored by: janed on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:51 PM GMT+4

Rev. Lowery is the greatest! If you mean the words he opened with, they are lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

---
janed

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:46 PM GMT+4

The singing of the Star Spangled Banner, and more cheers.

They've been dismissed. Obama gets to escort the Bushes to the exit,
then they have lunch.

Let's head to the steps of the Canadian Embassy for a parade seat.
There is another great fountain there. It's a pool of water that spills
over the sides and comes down a large curving wall. It's too bad
Inaugurations don't happen at Cherry Blossom time. The weather
would be fabulous.

From the steps we'll be able to see over the heads of everyone below
us, and also be able to see up the street as the parade comes down
from the Capitol.

If we can't find a good spot, we can try down by Freedom Plaza. It's
close to the White House ...

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 04:58 PM GMT+4

Everyone's lined up on the east side of the Capitol. George and Laura
and family will be put in the giant green helicopter.

Biden helps escort Cheney to his limo, caregivers help him in, and he
gets driven off.

Next, the Obamas take the George and Laura to the helicopter.
George and Barack embrace. Hugs and kisses between spouses.

The Obamas go back to the Capitol steps to watch with the Bidens.

The helicopter doors are closed up. The engines are started. Cleared
for takeoff.

Up they go, past the Supreme Court, over the Senate offices, to the
White House, then off to the air force base to catch a plane to Texas.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 05:02 PM GMT+4

Cspan is showing cold, happy crowds.

"Barack Obama is President!" one girl yells out.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 06:18 PM GMT+4

Parade starts around 2:30 or so. Looks like lots of partying along the
parade route. People swinging arms back and forth in the air, flags
waving, and general jumping up and down to stay warm.

Haven't seen any protestors, but I'm sure some are there somewhere.

(Hope everyone's luncheon with the new president is going well.)

Authored by: Maus Anon E on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 06:19 PM GMT+4

I have never seen anything as beautiful as the helicopter hauling away that bane of an EX (!) President.

---
Freemarket economy: A socialist system in which workers' earnings are redistributed to affluent citizens.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 06:40 PM GMT+4

Crowds for the parade are pretty much in place. Pennsylvania Ave is
lined with military outfits.

Planned Parade Order (When you see the Suurimmaanitchuat Eskimo
dance troupe, Brattleboro is almost there):

Representatives from the US Army, United States Military Academy &
US Army Reserve
Punahou School JROTC
Punahou School Marching Band
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Navy JROTC
Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps
Jesse White Tumbling Team
Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band
Crow Nation of Montana
Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School Marching Band
Illinois Home State Float
Brooklyn Music and Arts Program
Theodore Roosevelt High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard and
Drill Team
Colts Drum and Bugle Corps
Klein Collins High School Air Force JROTC
Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums
Southern Ohio Ladies Aside
Redwood Middle School Marching Band and Auxiliary Units
Representatives of the US Marine Corps and US Marine Corps Reserve
Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association
University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band, The Pride of
Delaware
Delaware Home State Float
Alexis I. duPont High School Band
Comfort Carriages
Tuskegee Airmen
Delaware State University Marching Band
Special Olympics Inc.
Sanford High School Marching Band
Peace Corps Community
Adams Central High School Patriot Band
Oneida Nation Veterans
Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps
Idaho State Leadership: State and Tribal Representatives
Roosevelt High School Marching Band
Suurimmaanitchuat Eskimo Dance Group
South Cobb High School Blue Eagle Marching Band
Representatives of the US Navy, US Naval Academy & US Navy
Reserve
***Brattleboro High School Marching Band***
George Washington University
Petal High School Marching Band
Freedom Riders
Bonnie Brae Knights
Federal Protection Service
Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band
American Workers Contingent
East Greenwich High School Avenger Band
Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard, First Infantry Division,
Fort Riley KS
Green Valley High School Marching Band
Angel Drill Team
Manning High School Golden Pride Marching Band
Wind River Reservation Youth Council
Lincoln Highway National Museum and Archives
University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band
Tempel Lipizzans of Tempel Farms
University of Arkansas Marching Band
Representatives of the US Air Force, US Air Force Academy & US Air
Force Reserve
Mountain Ridge High School Pride of the West Marching Band
United Tribes Technical College
Montana Delegation
Hampton University Marching Force
AmeriCorps Alums
North Allegheny High School Tiger Marching Band
World Famous Lawn Rangers from Amazing Arcola
Blue Springs High School Golden Regiment Marching Band
McCrossan Boys Ranch
Colony High School Knights Marching Band
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, Company A
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment
Espanola Valley High School Mariachi Sol Del Valle
1965 Mustang of the DC Metropolitan Police Department
Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band
Nicholas County Army JROTC, the Wilderness Battalion
J. P. Taravella High School Band
Representatives of the US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Academy &
US Coast Guard Reserve
Morton High School Marching Band
U.S. Border Patrol
Harding University High School Marching Band of Gold
Hawaii Home State Float
Howard University Showtime Marching Band
Pennsylvania Home State Float
Lesbian and Gay Band Association
Mobile Azalea Trail Maids
Londonderry High School Marching Lancer Band and Color Guard
T.C. Williams High School Army JROTC
Windsor High School Marching Band
Michigan's Multi Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color
Guard
Ohio State University Marching Band
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 358, Philadelphia, PA
Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital, Troops 1803 & 382
Fergus Falls High School Marching Band
Representatives from the US Merchant Marine Academy
Evergreen High School Marching Band
Culver Academies
Carl Sandburg High School Marching Eagles
USO Float
Carnaval de San Anto, the URBAN 15 Group
Prevention Partnership, Warren County, KY Sheriff's Office
Siloam Springs High School Band
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association CCBA
Get a Life Marching Band
Union High School Air Force JROTC
University of Utah Marching Band
Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets
NASA Astronaut Crew and NASA Lunar Electric Rover

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:02 PM GMT+4

The luncheon drags on. They admired bowls. They heard speeches. They
thanked vineyards that donated wine and champagne.

Okay, it's wrapping up with a benediction from the chaplain. He begins
by praying for Senator Kennedy who has been taken from the building
after getting medical attention, he tells us. (??)

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:04 PM GMT+4

CNN says Senator Kennedy collapsed at the luncheon.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:12 PM GMT+4

Luncheon guests are all putting on their hats and coats and getting
ready for a short bus ride down to the viewing stands. They seem to
have gift bags.

(Al Roker said the parade staging grounds are over at the Pentagon.
It's quite a walk from there. One hopes they get transported.)

As the guests walk under the Capitol dome on their way out, I'm
reminded of the tour guides there who like to demonstrate an
interesting sound reflection. You can stand on one side of the floor,
whisper, and be heard across the room.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:14 PM GMT+4

Senator Byrd also taken from luncheon, says Cspan crawl.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:21 PM GMT+4

Obamas and Bidens are out and ready to go to the parade. They step out
on the Capitol steps to see the military bands and units go by.

The Fife and Drum Corps is always a good one...

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:24 PM GMT+4

I'm seeing a view of a street with lots of busy onlookers, but no sound. That your experience on the C-Span stream right now?

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:31 PM GMT+4

Ah, they turned the sound on.

Those crowds are being amazingly patient considering how cold they all look!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:32 PM GMT+4

I'm watching the motorcade, but they have the parade viewers on
another "channel."

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:31 PM GMT+4

The new VP and President are in their limos and on their way. Secret
Service agents walk along side the cars scanning everything (don't
throw
shoes).

They'll exit the east side of the Capitol on Constitution Ave, then drive
down to Pennsylvania Ave. There is a nice stretch of park from
Constitution Ave over to Union Station, along side the Senate office
buildings. A great place to have a picnic lunch, when it is nice outside.
The fountains there have colored lights in them that change at night.

The first president I recall seeing was Reagan. I was right there at
that
park as he drove by on his way away from a meeting at the Capitol. I
saw a bunch of kids lined up and asked them what was happening.
Their
teacher told me "It's the president".

The limo motorcade has been pausing, but they seem to be slowly
making their way now.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:35 PM GMT+4

Limo moves out onto Constitution Ave. You can hear the crowds start to
scream.

The limo is followed by two SUV's filled with weapons, communications,
and agents riding on the sideboards.

The police motorcycle motorcade that kicks off the parade has reached
Pennsylvania Ave. Lots of whoops and hollers.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:41 PM GMT+4

They usually try to limit the President's out-of-car experience to as
little time walking as possible. We'll see what they do today.

Crowds waving, snapping photos, screaming. They appear quite happy.

"O - Bam - ah!" some chant.

Secret service looking secretive. And of service.

The presidential limo has begin the descent down Constitution to
Pennsylvania Ave. It looks like the Police Motorcade is near the
National Archives.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:52 PM GMT+4

President's limo reaching Pennsylvania Ave.

Screams sound like those at a Beatles concert at Shea stadium (from
behind a big chain linked fence barricade). After they see him, they
move down to see him again.

"Obama! Hey Obama!"

The fences become smaller barricades, and more police line the
streets as they get onto the main drag.

"O- ba-ma!"

Crowds running along. Waving. Cheering. Genuine excitement.

High pitched squeals of delight.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 07:58 PM GMT+4

The police and military alongside the road salute the new President.

Crowds cheering, and continue to run along as best they can to see
more of their new president.

The presidential limo goes past the East Wing of the art museum. It's
the one with the modern art. There is a fountain in the tunnel between
the two wings of the art musuem, a wall of water that comes down
from an above ground display.

Wow. Mounties at the Canadian Embassy on the steps (good thing we
had a back up location). All saluting. Canada has flags waving from
the top of their embassy. We've already mentioned their fountain, but
they also have a great sculpture in their courtyard. Check it out
someday.

Hard to believe Obama is resisting getting out to walk for so long. : )

They are almost to the Carlysle Group building.

More flag waving and screams.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:03 PM GMT+4

Just passed the National Archives - about 8th street or so.

No protest signs for this guy.

They'll be near the FBI Building soon.

Car stopping. He's getting out.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:07 PM GMT+4

I knew he couldn't resist for long. These crowds are too much.

First Lady Michelle is walking with him. In heels.

They are smiling and waving, and look very happy. Crowds loving it.
They hold hands for a while.

Agents looking agent-y.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:14 PM GMT+4

Some protest signs... "Arrest Bush!"

The volume of this crowd must be something else in person.

The Bidens are also out and walking.

The Obamas are at the Old Post office now, and hopping back into
their car for a while. (They'll soon be going by Freedom Plaza, where
Bush had to race by protestors his first time.)

The BUHS Band is probably getting pretty excited about now, and
probably doing last minute mouthpiece warming.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:23 PM GMT+4

Freedom Plaza is packed. Across the street is a big "new" Ronald
Reagan building.

It's fun watching crowd members scream, wave, and take pictures all
at the same time.

We're coming up on the money buildings as they turn on to 14th
Street. They'll be going past the National Press Club, then the
Treasury and the old Riggs Bank - "The bank that is on the money"
(pictured on the back of a ten dollar bill).

After that, it is the viewing stand. I'd bet that he hops out again
sometime soon.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:29 PM GMT+4

The car stops again, and out they come for the final stroll. They are
on 14th, near Pennsylvania Ave and the White House.

This is a weird part of town if you live there. Residents almost never
go there, unless passing through to somewhere else. It's all high-end
government business.

They're in the home stretch heading to the viewing stand. Lots of
waves, cheers, smiles.

Time for the parade.

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:33 PM GMT+4

Pretty awesome, time to drink some more water as my eyes are leaking a bit again!


(My, those agents are looking VERY agenty! - Did you see those guys/gals steely eyes around very often in DC that you knew of?)

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:35 PM GMT+4

Back in the car. Who knows what whispers happen on those in-air radio's . . . stuff like "we couldn't be 100% about some of the viewing angles into this section. Get him back into the car"?

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:36 PM GMT+4

CNN says Kennedy has a seizure, and the Washington Post says that Byrd
was taken away because he was concerned for Kennedy, not due to any
ailment.

First couple arrives at viewing stand amidst much cheering. They look
pleased. The viewing stand looks like something from Star Wars. (It
must have been George Lucas I saw earlier).

They get back in cars and drive around to their special entry way, around
the corner from the Old Executive Office Building.

Authored by: annikee on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 12:49 AM GMT+4

Kennedy and Byrd were seated together at the luncheon in Statuary Hall and Obama ran around to hug them last before seating at the dais. Kennedy's eyes looked strange tho.

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 08:52 PM GMT+4

A pause, probably to let the mouthpieces freeze up.

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:10 PM GMT+4

Obama's two daughters are VERY tired looking little girls watching the parade there! Can you imagine how amazing but overwhelming and exhausting this day would be (and capping off the weeks/months leading up to it) ?

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:10 PM GMT+4

The best marching bands in the nation now take the stage.

Parade is obviously running late.

AFL-CIO has a "Welcome Sasha and Malia" banner on their building.

Here comes DC's Dunbar High!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:13 PM GMT+4

Brooklyn Music and Arts does a Stevie Wonder song for Michelle.

Sun going down, lights coming up.

Authored by: Todd on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:21 PM GMT+4

Looks complicated, knowing when to salute. When to put hand on heart. When to give what hand sign to a bands from different cities, he is good at it! But man they ALL look tired!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:25 PM GMT+4

They are moving right along. There is a giant "We the People" scroll from
Delaware that spinoza might want to consider as a skate ramp when the
parade is over.

Brattleboro soon.

Authored by: spinoza on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 09:07 PM GMT+4

A wonder there's anything left to shred.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:30 PM GMT+4

Brattleboro very soon.

Authored by: Timmy on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:41 PM GMT+4

Well they got some good coverage on C-Span, but CNN was on commercial unfortunately.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:47 PM GMT+4

Brattleboro comes around the corner of 14th street onto Pennsylvania
Ave, following a military band.

BUHS steps into the spotlight. They look good! They sound great! They
are carrying the Brattleboro banner.

Obamas give them a big smile.

Authored by: janed on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:49 PM GMT+4

Aw, I missed em!

---
janed

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 09:49 PM GMT+4

I should add that the Brattleboro band doesn't even look cold in the
tropical DC weather (compared to those bands from Florida).

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 10:28 PM GMT+4

The parading continues. Morton High School! The Border Patrol!

All the parade folks have walked quite a great distance by the time
they get to the White House. And there aren't any really good
fountains in the area, either. The last good one was the falling water
at Freedom Plaza. It's a big open pond-like arrangement.

Harding U!

All the performers look really happy to be there and are giving it their
all.

The Hawaii float looks like a giant pineapple glazed ham, but I think it
is a volcano.

Howard University!

The viewing stand is emptying out a bit, but the Obamas are hand in
hand, sticking with it.

The LGBA! Great majorette guy leading them.

The Azalea Trail Maids!

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 10:48 PM GMT+4

Michelle Obama was just "air keyboarding" along with a song.

The USO float was nice - a Cinderella-type carriage.

URBAN15 has quite a groove.

Some Chinese dragons chase away bad spirits. What looks like McGruff
the Crime Panda is waving.

The Marching Utes!

Authored by: Timmy on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 01:09 AM GMT+4

I believe that was actually Sexual Harassment Panda.

Authored by: cgrotke on Tuesday, January 20 2009 @ 10:54 PM GMT+4

With the NASA Astronaut Crew and NASA Lunar Electric Rover going by,
the parade is over.

The astronauts are in an astrobuggy in their astrosuits. They seem to be
claiming the parade viewing station for the United States by planting a
flag. Cool moonmobile to end things.

Drive back safely, BUHS!

Authored by: annikee on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 12:57 AM GMT+4

Thanks for that tireless reporting Chris! It's great to have someone who knows DC talk about the sites and scenes. I really like the kids' view you have of it. Imagine flying around these monuments on a bike as a kid! I woulda loved it.

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!

Authored by: cgrotke on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 01:37 AM GMT+4

I was in my late 20's.

Authored by: annikee on Wednesday, January 21 2009 @ 01:52 AM GMT+4

I was speaking about now. :)

---
Nyah nyah, nyah nyah!