big day

I don't really know what to say about the whole thing. It was a great day, and I worked so hard on the campaign, I kind of can't believe it's real. I am just really happy to have been there.

here are some random things that happened or I thought about:

I have never seen so many people. so many happy, frozen people.


there were a lot of miserable kids on the mall, but the ones around me perked up as soon as things started happening. They were really excited even though I am pretty sure they couldn't see anything.
While waiting in line, I heard one little girl's dad ask her if she wanted to go because she was freezing. she said that she didn't. He said that they could go find a restaurant to watch it in and that it was ok. she said, "I want to be able to say I was there." (and I teared up eavesdropping.)

Aretha Franklin's hat was fabulous. (and made in Detroit.)

The video and sound on the jumbotron screens were out of sync, which made the swearing in look a little like a badly dubbed movie. (the Jumbotrons were great though and really made us people who were far away feel like a part of things.)

giant sleeping bag coats are perfect for standing in the cold waiting for things to happen.

giant sleeping bag coats are really hot when you walk around for miles. (when we finally got out on the mall, I opened my coat and steam came out. Steven said, "you got dry ice in your pants or something?")

Everyone cracked up when Rick Warren said, "Malia and Sasha." like he was quoting from All That Jazz (thanks Jon Stewart!)

People booed Bush whenever they showed him on the jumbotron, but where I was standing they booed Joe Lieberman more.

Joe Biden kind of reminds me of my dad.

When President Barack Obama took the oath of office it was like 2 million people who'd been holding their breath for 8 years, or longer, finally exhaled.

people sang "nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye" when former President Bush's helicopter went by and it was like a scene from a movie to watch the helicopter fly past the Washington Monument.

I did not boo or sing, not because I don't understand the sentiments of those who did, I just don't see the point. It's over, why boo? His kids are there, it just felt mean.

Leaving the Mall was nuts. So many people, but everyone was polite, helpful even. It was pretty amazing. And every once in a while someone would start a chant:
"Fired up?" "Fired up!"
"Ready to go?" "Ready to go!"
"Yes we did?" "Yes we did!"
"Gonna do it again!"

people lined up to take their photo in front of the "Midwestern Ball" sign like it was prom. We didn't, but we stood there for awhile gown watching.

we were as close at the ball as we were far away at the swearing in. right in front, smashed up against the stage!

We met some really great people. A bunch of women who met in college and started planning for the inauguration as soon as President Obama annouced he was going to run. A couple from Chicago who work for Public Allies, a non profit group that is trying to foster a new kind of leadership for a new century, where Barack and Michelle both served on the board. And many more.

I had no idea that I knew so many Sheryl Crow songs, before the ball I could only think of one. (she was really excited and brought a Marine up on stage to dance and sing with her. It was really sweet.)



Jill Biden is tiny (and beautiful), and Joe Biden seemed to be having the time of his life.

by the time Michelle got to the Midwestern Ball, she looked like her feet were killing her (mine certainly were.) I loved her dress. Loved, loved, loved it. and that Barack wore a white tie.

At the ball, Barack said, "If you don't mind I'm gonna dance with the one that brung me. The one that does everything I do, but backwards and in high heels."

They really are the most beautiful, loving couple.

There were some amazing gowns at the ball, and I wish I were able to stealthily take photos of them but it was too dark to go without a flash so I couldn't manage it.
My favorite was a bright turquoise tulle number that was about 5 feet wide at the bottom and worn by a woman who looked to be about 17, but was probably more like 13. She was so happy with her giant princess dress until about 1am when I saw her sitting in a heap on the floor in the corner.

And finally, with four blocks left in the walk back to our hotel, we hopped in the back of a bicycle taxi and it was pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to me.