Served With a Side of Crazy

Random helicopter (hey, it could be "Executive ONE"! It wasn't.)

I've said previously, on this blog, that I procrastinate. Well, that ain't the half of it.

Yesterday morning, I procrastinated from showering until after I'd finished changing my son. I didn't want to change my son until after the dogs had been out and obviously done their deed. I did let the dogs back in. C'mon, it's freezing in Washington, DC, don't you watch the news?! Ok but I didn't want to change until after I'd finished my coffee and put the puzzles away. Also, I like my coffee hot, not warm, lukewarm, or cold. As long as I was finishing my coffee, might as well watch the Obamas head into St. John's church prior to the swearing-in. Also, this big event going on? My town.

I can't stand the idea of missing out on history in my back yard.. but let's review: 1) I have a 19-mo old, who gets cold, and tired, and hungry. 2) Foot traffic only, all bridges closed. 3) See #1 and #2. Ironically, I'd gotten a very cool invite to party downtown with a bunch of huge Democratic donors (thanks, S.!) But, see #1.

You see where this is headed.

Let's serve it up this way: one part capricious, two parts curious, four parts bored, one part frustration, eleven parts crazy. Perfect recipe for.. wait for it. Attempting to drive downtown into D.C. at the eleventh hour prior to the swearing in.

Okay, not really. But I did have to run an errand. My toddler was B-O-R-E-D of the four walls of our living room. I heard news reports of the Metro stations being closed, queues around the block. Bridges closed. National guard and tanks. That's something. We had time. I have Tivo. We hit the road.

I drove East, towards downtown DC. You know, just to see what I could see. I felt the ridiculousness of my own actions, but Toddler was happy, I was still curious, and there millions of people down there. Wanna know what I saw? A lot of cops, all posted to watch out for crazies.. like me.

Hill overlooking Washington Monument, the Mall, the Capitol (all the way to the right. It's far.)

This guy. Just chilling out, enjoying the view of above photo. With the top down. Did I mention it was cold? Side of crazy, dude?
Good shot of Arlington cemetary. Toddler had fallen asleep.

One last parting shot, that I sent to the PIC photo album! Yes, we made it back in time for the ceremonies.

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The Cusp of History

This day has finally come. The beauty in this moment, in every moment today, is the fact that our forefathers did dream this moment, as Dr. King did.. the peaceful transfer of power between two parties, two very different men, two different tides coming together in harmony. Moving trucks outside the White House. Change.

As I watched on my own jumbotron (in pure frustration for not having the helicopter that I need to take my 19-mo old and I down to the center of the Capitol steps, wait for us, then take us back home,) I saw a few headlines underneath the picture of the massive crowds. One, sadly, was "Power sharing talks break down in Zimbabwe." A stark reminder of the alternative. This is what makes our country so great. Our citizenship so special. And this day bursting with greatness.


Keep up with it here, the Inaugural Blog.


Meanwhile, even my toddler is feeling the spirit. GOBABA.

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