The Mid-Atlantic Ball

I was happy to get tickets to the Mid-Atlantic Ball as I thought I would know some DC people there.  The Mid-Atlantic Region, from what I could tell, was NY, NJ, Maryland, DC and Virginia. Pennsylvania and Delaware were in the Home States Ball for  Vice-President Biden.

Doors opened at 6, so we left the hotel at 6:20 and caught a cab.  It took us 30 minutes to ride 6 blocks.  We had to walk the last two to the Convention Center because the streets were blocked off. 

The room was huge -- you could get a nice size trade show in it.  There were several stations to purchase drink tickets and about twice that many bars.  There were about 10 buffet tables with penne and tortelini pasta, vegtables and rolls.  Food was good, but no butter for the rolls!  Two VIP sections  --  one set-up auditorium style and another set up restaurant style on either end of the room  -- had the only chairs.  There was a section for the press facing the Presidential seal next to one of the dance floors.  A band stage was to the left of the Presidential seal, in between the VIP auditorium seating area and the dance floor.  The opposite side of the room had another dance floor with a DJ set up.  There was a table near it with memorabilia for sale.

We arrived just after 7.  Already several hundred people had arrived.  We had some drinks and some food.  The room was cold, but we figured it would  warm up.  We walked around and a New York television reporter asked if we were from New York or New Jersey.  We said "no," but I heard her comment to her camera-person that my companion looked like a beautiful debutante.  

There was some music playing in the background, but a little after 8 the first act came on stage to play.  It was Wyclef Jean.  The crowd went wild.  He was awesome.  He played about 5 songs.  

We did not run into anyone I knew, but saw Gov. Tim Kaine and Sen. Chuck Shumer.  There were people I thought I might know, but the room was pretty dark and I couldn't place anyone. We estimated a few thousand people were there.  

The DJ played for a while and people started to dance.  Everyone on the other dance floor was just hanging around talking.  Then the DJ stopped and the second band took the stage.  Their playing was a little screechy for our tastes, so we decided to get another drink.   After we finished our drinks, we noticed  they were setting out some snacks and so we meandered over to the table.  Just as we started to fill our plates, an announcement came on saying that the next part of the program would begin shortly.   We rushed over to the dance floor by the stage and waited, hastily devouring our snacks.  We were pretty far back, behind a lot of tall people.  Finally Vice President and Dr. Biden came.  The Vice-President thanked us all and quoted Irish poet Seamus Heaney.  Dr. Biden was in a beautiful red gown.  They danced to Van Morrison's version of "Have I told You Lately."  

Lots of people went to get drinks, so we got a bit closer.  About a half-hour later another announcement came on about the next part of the program.  A color-guard came in and the band played "Hail to the Chief."  It was very exciting and I thought how the last time I was in a room with Barack Obama he was a candidate and now he was President.  It was very moving and made up a lot for missing him take the oath earlier in the day.  He told us the campaign and administration was about us, but the guy in front of us kept yelling it was about Barack. A space opened up between the guy and me and some woman filled it trying to get out.  She sat down in front of me and we ask her husband if she needed help.  He said she didn't want to draw attention away from President and Mrs. Obama, who had just started to dance.  A man went to get help, then some people asked for water for her.  The woman was lying on the floor now.  I tried to get through the crowd, but the man who went for help was returning with someone.  The dance finished and the crowd started to disperse.  A little more excitement than we anticipated -- no really taking in the moment this time -- but it was wonderful to be there.

Real long lines for the coats, but we dread the walk back with our aching feet.  We walk the two blocks to the security check and I notice there is one cab with his light on.  We have to wait for a motorcade (not the President's) to go by.   I knock on his door, since he hasn't moved in the traffic.   He takes us, but said it will be slow due to traffic.  I said it's inside and our feet ache, so that's fine.  Takes us about five minutes to get back to the hotel (as opposed to 30 to get to the Convention Center).  

We were tired and achy, but we went to bed happy. 

Inauguration

Woke up to a call about school cancelled due to the weather, which was fortunate since the alarm clock didn't go off.  Turned on MSNBC to see the Mall already filling, so got moving quickly.  Talked about whether to go to the Parade or Swearing-in, decided on Swearing-In.   

Soldiers everywhere, including our hotel lobby.  Very friendly, though.  Very crowded outside, but again, very quiet.  Get to where we are told the Purple Ticket entrance is.  Back-up about two blocks.  No official directors around.  Packed in like sardines.  After about 2 hours a bull horn tells us to go two blocks to the end of the line.  Run into someone I know in the line, but people start fussing about us cutting.  We figure we were really better off where we were and go back.  Finally head toward the gate and seem to make progress, but then the gate closes.   Wait a little longer and see another open gate.  Everyone is chanting "We Have Purple Tickets, Let Us In."   That gate closes about noon and we are out of luck.  I must say everyone in the crowd was pretty accepting, though disappointed.  Didn't really see any altercations, just the one lady fussing at us.   The guns go off and I cry, tears of happiness for the moment and disappointment in missing it.  We head out and stop to listen to the speech from a car radio.  A big crowd gathers and applauds at the end.   We walk a little and catch a cab back to the hotel. 

Kids Inaugural

Our big event for the day was the Kids Inaugural celebration, which we had to be at by 4 for the photo op.  We decided to head out for lunch,  then we walked along the Mall.  Saw Bill Schneider from CNN filming, but really couldn't get too close. Walked toward the Capital Building and were struck by how calm and quiet everyone was.  The concert was replaying on the jumbotrons, but people just seemed happy,  not rowdy.  We passed by the MSNBC mobile studio.  Andrea Mitchell was interviewing Gov. Rendell and Doris Kerns Goodwin.  A couple of anti-abortion protesters were there.  We headed up to the Capital to see where we would be for the Inauguration, and were pleased.  Then we went toward Union Station.  More anti-abortion protesters with graphic signs, so we decided to head to the Verizon Center.  Other than the one guy on the way to the concert Sunday with a "Did the CIA show Obama his Kenyan Birth Certificate" everyone else were definitely supporters.

Got to Verizon Center really early.  First in line, even for the early VIP line.  Was some craziness as the lines had to be separated, but got in.  Had pictures taken with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, who shook our hands and were very nice.  No autographs, though.

Concert was a lot of fun.  We could see Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and their girls from our seats. They danced some and took pictures of the Jonas Brothers.  A very fun night!

The Concert

We took it slow on Sunday morning as the concert didn't start until 2:30 and we had preferred standing tickets.  I had to drop something at the Mayflower Hotel, which is just an alley block away to the back entrance from where we are staying.  There were busses up and down the street and the side street where ABC News is was blocked by police.  We walked down the block anyway with no trouble.  The Mayflower lobby was hopping, and there were signs welcoming different organizations, which explains why it was difficult getting rooms there.

We headed out toward Dupont Circle to find some breakfast and go to RiteAid because of course we forgot some things at home.  At Starbucks (there is one on every corner) there was a police officer talking about how people started arriving to the concert at 5:00 a.m.!  We scooted to Rite Aid, dropped our stuff back at the hotel and walked to the concert.

We headed toward the Lafayette Park, which was fenced off and were directed to 17th St.  The crowds started to pick up and we followed it toward Constitution Ave.  There were people selling all sort of memorabilia.  And lots of hand warmers!  Our entrance was off Constitution Ave.  and we appeared for a while to be heading against the crowd.  I kept checking with the police and we were going the right way.   We got to our entrance, had to keep showing our tickets, went through security, but it went quickly.  

From what we could figure, there were three types of tickets: yellow, white and blue.  We had white ones.  The yellow ticket people went toward the mall. The blue tickets were for the seated section and the white for the standing.  If you have been to the Lincoln Memorial, we were standing about where the street is, so we were in front of the reflecting pool. 

Our section wasn't very crowded.  We thought for sure we would be packed in by the time the concert started, but there was a good amount of room.  People were happy to be there and in a great mood.  There were lots of kids.  It was a little cold, but nothing unbearable.

The theme was "We Are One" and one of the things that struck me was the overcast sky was evenly colored, almost colorless.  It seemed so appropriate.

Since I imagine many of you watched the concert, I'll just record a couple of my impressions.   Everyone was very respectful during all the speakers and quietly listened.  It was almost like being at Church, with everyone being so quiet.  They did sing during Pink Houses, American Pie, Shout, Higher and Higher and Pride.  The program was wonderfully balanced with speakers then songs.  No one got bored or irritable.  When Joe Biden and Barack Obama spoke you could have heard a pin drop -- amazing given the size of the crowd.

When we left, there was just a sea of people for blocks and blocks.  It wasn't until we got to 19th Street that we were able to turn left.  We headed up passed George Washington University and I remembered that there was an Italian restaurant around L or M and I thought it was on 19th, so we decided to see if my memory served me correctly.  It did and we found Luigis between L and M.  

The wait was about 30 minutes.  We were talking to a guy about how the Cardinals were beating the Eagles and said how we were from the Carolinas and we were disappointed.  A lady behind the curtain pulled it aside and made some small talk, then another lady asked if it was me, and I saw Valaida, who volunteered with me on the campaign!  They had left at midnight to come to the concert.  They are going to be working at the balls, too.  

We ate way too much -- I highly recommend Luigi's if you ever are in DC and want a good, inexpensive Italian meal -- and rolled the three blocks back to the hotel.

First Night In DC

After lots of concern about getting here, we made it to DC from Richmond in two hours.  I pretty much flew until Dale City/Potomac Mills Mall and, as I  expected, traffic piled up.  We heard on the radio (thank goodness for XM) that there was a multi-car accident.  Got off and went down Rte. 1 for a bit and got into DC without another hitch.

 Went to the Convention Center to up the tickets for all the events.  Was a cold walk in 20 degree weather neither of us are used to.  We both had to show IDs, so good thing I brought them.  Saw Jenny and April, who took great care of us.  The walk back was easier with little wind biting on our chins.  Surprised M Street and Mass. Ave are so residential.  Decide to eat room service -- it was great -- since we have to get ready to go back to the Convention Center for the party.

Get to the party.  Am checked in by Paolo, one of the staffers I worked with on the campaign (small world).  Quickly see Lisa from home and talk a bit.  She is on her way to another party.  We hang out for about an hour.  See Sen. McCaskill while we are in line for a cola.  Was going to say hi, since we met her on the campaign trail, but she leaves before we get our drink.

See a few people who look familiar, but it has been 20 years for many and I am a little unsure they look familiar enough.  We decide to go and get our coats.  While in the coat-check line, see someone I am sure I know and had hoped to see because he grew up with Jennifer from home.  I linger as he talks to people then decide maybe I'm wrong so we head to catch a cab.  While waiting, he and his wife walk by, so I yell "Andy?" and it's him!  I tell him how I was hoping to see him because Jennifer was telling me a small world story about meeting his college roommate.  When she related this small world story to me,  I asked if it was the same Andy I worked with at Harvard  years ago.  It was!! Small world indeed.  So, all-in-all a good night.

A long way from Flag Rock refers to my journey from growing up near Flag Rock to the many places I have been that lands me at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.  It made me think also about the journey of this nation that started not too far from Flag Rock with the signing of the Mayflower Compact and brings the United States of America to this awesome moment.