Inauguration 2009

Haven't seen an American Inauguration since Kennedy's. Mostly because the Nearest and I really didn't have TV at our house. Radio did fine. But this year we had the technology that would allow us to watch easily on a computer; appropriate for a president who will have to have his Blackberry pried out of his fingers.

This will not be a serious article. There are plenty of those all over the 'net. It's not an instant reaction; slapping down ill-considered rough drafts to meet a print deadline isn't required of the digital age. This article will be accessible a long time. It's not profound, or deep. It's just a list of observations from a moment in history. Call it our diary for the moment, that we'll always be able to access, no matter what happens.

We watched the Associated Press broadcast on my MacBook Leopard. We have a fan under the MacBook so we don't fry the hard-drive. We were in our PJ's, and had us a truly American breakfast of cat-head biscuits, bacon and eggs, cranberry jam, red-eye gravy and lots and lots of coffee. We got the same view the National Mall crowd was getting on the monitors - an inheritance of televised sports events.

It was bitterly cold in Washington DC, this January 20th. Almost everybody was wearing a black overcoat. But they went crazy with scarves and/or hats, like devout Muslim women wearing wildly individualistic clothes underneath their sober burqas. Some people were wrapped in bright-colored quilts and blankets; the First Nations knew there was nothing like a robe for keeping out the cold.

Nearest pointed out the guard was equipped with 1903 Springfield rifles, nickel- or silver-plated. "That model is over 100 years old," he said. I know from experience they're extremely accurate; I can pop 7 targets out of 8 in quick succession, with one of those.

Look at all the people! The difference between this and a Nuremberg rally - lots more color and lots of people get to sit down.

When the Obama girls came out, they were led by their tall, imposing FBI guard. She was wearing bright pink. That wasn't just for pretty; the human eye is drawn to pink, even when consciously aiming. That pink was for taking a bullet (tell me I'm wrong). Nearest said, "I bet she doesn't wear glasses; that's where they're hiding the microphone." (He worked security at a centrally-located hotel that pulled in a lot of dignitaries).

Was I the only one thinking Jimmy Smits in the West Wing series was the model for all this? An important series can plant seeds; how much of this was self-fulfilling prophecy?

As Obama came through the rotunda before emerging before the public, he was doing a little jinking up and down. It looked like an athlete loosening up before hitting the track. It's reported that Lincoln did the same as he approached the podium for his inauguration.

Aretha Franklin's offering of song was incredible. She's older, she doesn't have her old power, but she was still ARETHA. And hey. She had THE hat of the whole scene. We're talking real, glittering church-lady crown. Just get out of the way, fool.

What followed - talk about a West Wing moment - included Yo Yo Ma in a classical quartet. John Williams' piece, based on "Simple Gifts," started sad, lifted, and then faded into the future. I swear Joe Biden was choking back his feelings. It had heart chords to Please The Lord. The power instrument - the piano - was played by a woman. I swear I heard strains from "Exodus" in there.

After taking the oath, Obama's speech included "forebearers," not "forefathers." Thank you. When he said he would "restore science," Bush Sr. seemed to say, "Aaaaaah." I don't think he was missing any of the messages.

When Obama said, "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off," I couldn't help thinking how much he looks like a black Fred Astaire. Not the worst guy to model oneself on; style and balance, despite those ears.

The speech was tough and stern. I pretty well voted for this guy as a tough-headed pragmatist. I didn't expect anything pretty. But then, he could have recited Slovenian nursery rhymes, and it would be remembered.

It all ended with everyone repeating "Amen!" Nothing like honoring the Egyptian Sun God, considering the bright, sunny weather.

No, I didn't get everybody's names. This will be all over Youtube, for years. Go look.