Monday Musings – Attending the Inauguration
Mon, Jan 19, 2009
All Posts, City Life, Everyday Life, Monday Musings, Washington DC Places, Washington, DC Events
With an estimated 1.5 million people coming to our fair city, I have to say that I’ve been a little curious about the upcoming inauguration. Â Touted as being the most historic swearing in, it’s definitely a big deal for obvious reasons. Â
I’ve been to historic events in the city and will admit that there is something amazing about being there in person.  In fact, I attended the last inauguration of George W. Bush.  It was definitely memorable – thousands and thousands of people milling the streets, cold weather biting at your nose, and no bathrooms to speak of.  Thankfully, I was working on the Hill at the time and had some “connections” so I didn’t have to stay outside for long.  I watched most of the events from one of the buildings across the street from the Capitol.  The company throwing the shin-dig had made a real party out of it, complete with food and beverages.  Let me tell you, that’s the way to view an inauguration.
(Photo of Union Station)
But this time around, things are a little different. Â Sure the CPA received invitations from various businesses and we could have gone to similar parties, but the question is, is it really worth it? Â Let me give you an example of what I mean. Â Saturday, my husband went to his office on the Hill to get a little work done. Â I offered to pick him up from work instead of making him take the Metro home. Â Since we live just outside of the city, on a weekend day I can usually zip into town in about 15 minutes. Â I made it downtown in record time and picked him up at the rendezvous point. Â The only problem was we couldn’t get out of the city. Â All of the major downtown entrances to the freeway were closed, including the one I had just used. Â Several side streets and stop lights later, we finally found an on-ramp that was open and we made our way home. Â It took over an hour. Â
That is why come inauguration day, I will be nowhere near downtown Washington DC. Â I really do not want to deal with the fact that all of the bridges leading from Virginia into the city will be closed. Â I don’t want to deal with the thousands, nay even millions, of people who will be trying to squish themselves into Metro cars with absolutely no idea where they’re going. Â And I definitely don’t want to deal with the sub-freezing temperatures that have been forecast. Â
But living as close as we do, I couldn’t let the event pass by without taking a look first hand. Â So we went downtown Saturday morning to check out the scene. Â What we found were thousands and thousands of chairs lined up in front of the Capitol (uncomfortable-looking chairs at that).Â
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Rows and rows of port-o-johns. Â There are approximately 7,000 port-o-johns, which sets a record for the area. Â In fact, they’ve brought in all the handicap port-o-johns that they could find from neighboring states.
Massive speakers (that put a rock concert to shame) have been set up around the grounds. Â We got to hear them in use as they were testing the speakers while we were there and the sound was amazing. Â
Capitol Hill police are out in full force. Â The amount of security for the inauguration is said to far surpass that of any previous inauguration. Â
There will be more than 25,000 law enforcement officers securing the area, which includes 7,500 active duty soldiers, 10,000 National Guard troops and 8,000 police officers. Â
President-elect Obama will be sworn in on the West front of the Capitol as seen here. Â
This little booth, the one that looks like it is covered in plastic, is where the ceremony will take place.
And this will be their view of the Washington Monument.
It’s going to be an incredible event, unlike any the country has seen before. Â There will be parties and concerts and dinners and balls, all kinds-of fun activities are scheduled to take place. Â There will even be a parade.
But, notwithstanding all of the excitement and historical implications, I, for one, will be watching it from the comfort of my own home. Â And probably in my pajamas. Â With my very own bathroom nearby should I need it.
Now that is the way to watch an inauguration!
What about you – would you brave the crowds and go to the inauguration ceremonies in person? Â Are you going to be watching it at all? Â
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Tags: capitol, dc, inauguration day, washington
January 19th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Sure, there is something special about actually attending an historic event like this. But, there is also a lot to be said for watching in the comfort of your own home, nice and warm, snacks at hand, enjoying a far better view on TV. Maybe I am just getting old and losing my sense of adventure, but I don’t think so. Nice photos. There will be plenty of shots of the event itself, but it’s nice to see these “before” pictures.
January 19th, 2009 at 7:38 am
You bet your bippy that I wouldn’t be anywhere near the capitol – give me the comfort of my own home with it’s warmth and extra blankets if I need them. Add in the foods of my choice easily at hand along with many bathrooms when needed. PLUS, no one sitting in front of me blocking my view or elbows in my sides….yea, home with my large screen TV is the way.
But, alas, I’ll be at work and have to catch just moments that are replayed on the evening news. That will be just great my me.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Part of me would love to be there, in the crowds, feeling the energy! But another part of me would prefer to be home, watching the event on tv where I’m sure I’d get a better view and no line to the bathroom. I’ll be in England, watching the bits that I can on the Internet. I know that Sky TV here will carry the swearing in (it’s advertised as Sky’s very first HD news broadcast) but since we don’t subscribe to cable here, the Internet will suffice. Unfortunately we miss out on some things like the concert from the Lincoln Memorial yesterday (video not available outside the U.S.)
On another note, it’s interesting to talk to British people and hear how excited they are for the change in US leadership. I’m very excited too!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:18 am
I will be at work also. Personally, I’m not sure I’d want to attend an event of this magnitude in spite of the historical value, am just not a fan of HUGE crowds and this will definitely be one.
My nephew was one of the state police chosen from KY to be a part of the thousands of security for the occasion though. Quite an honor for him.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I live in Richmond, and it absolutely blows my mind that there are tons of people flying here, staying in hotels here, planning to drive up for the inauguration. It is hard to get into DC on a normal day–let alone for this day, on which millions of people will be flocking to the city, and on which the bridges will be closed!!!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:37 am
I’m with you guys – don’t like the crowds either. Too much can happen and not enough control plus I hate waiting in line for things. Sabrina – that’s cool about your nephew, quite an honor. Tell him to dress warm!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Nice to “meet” you too!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Decisions, decisions. I still haven’t decided. Which means I probably won’t go. This is what will happen: tomorrow morning I’ll wake up, think about going, walk outside, feel the cold and walk back in.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Beautiful photographs. Love the Capitol with a sea of empty chairs. Anticipation. Or calm before the storm of bodies falling upon Washington D.C.
I always forget about the port-o-johns
January 19th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I was there for Bush 43’s big day. I loved it an will never forget it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. And, now that I have kids and zero patience for lines, traffic, noisy people, etc, I will be watching it at home. No matter who you voted for, an inauguration is always a big deal.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I will be watching from the comfort of my home too. I live in KS, but my step-dad lives in Annapolis, so I would have had a place to stay, but I won’t be there. It is a historic day for America, as it is whenever we get a new president. Isn’t it wonderful that our transfer of power is without violence!
January 19th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I would like to attend one, whoever it may be. But alas, I don’t imagine I ever will. And I also have to work tomorrow so whatever coverage the internet furnishes will be as close as I’ll get. I visited DC several years ago and I absolutely loved my time there. Especially Arlington Cememtary. I was a little antsy using the metro, but everything went smoothly. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi Jana – you were there for the 43rd? That’s cool! It’s fun to have gone to one, but once is enough for me.
Hi Linda – I agree, what a great country we live in!
WofO – if you do go tomorrow, be sure to take our camera so you can get some good photos for the rest of us!
Gennaro – I know, those port-o-johns are great. Until you have to use them, that is.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Hi Margie – I missed you in my last comment. Isn’t Arlington Cemetery lovely? It’s on my list to visit soon since I haven’t gone in years.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I think I would stay away. I was in NYC one year, for the 4th of July, and we decided to go down to the East River to watch the fireworks. I’m glad I did, as it was a once in a lifetime experience, but never again. It was pure chaos.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Thanks for the first hand view.
I avoid crowds at all costs so I would be at home too. But . . . I don’t know, I think I would like to see at least one. Just to feel the excitement and say I was there.
I do so hate port-a-potties though. Blech
January 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Love the before photos.
Our trip to Rome fell a bit after Pope John Paul died. If they had taken a week longer to choose the new Pope, we would have ended up being there for the ceremony. And I really didn’t want that. Watch it on TV. Sure. Actually have to deal with the crowds and frustrations and pick pockets. No Thanks.
I feel the same about the inauguration. Even more so now that two kids are thrown into the equation.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I was just thinking about this very same thing this morning and I’m with you. I would love to be there because it really is a historic event, and it would be awesome to attend ANY president’s inauguration, not just the first black president’s. I’ve never been to one and I would love to. But I just would never in a million years want to be part of that chaos, that huge crush of humanity, all the traffic and confusion and noise and people blocking the view. As far as I am concerned, television (and the internet, as I will be at work) is the best thing ever invented when it comes to this kind of thing.
January 19th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Great ‘before’ pictures! Really interesting to see all the preparation that goes into it!
I for one wouldn’t be caught dead at such an event. Sounds like it’ll be a major headache for anyone to get there, be there, stay warm, etc etc.
Much better to watch it on TV at home!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I’ll be watching in my pj’s, cuddled with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa.
I don’t blame you for staying far away. That’s some row of porta-potty’s!
-FringeGirl
January 19th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Domestic Fringe – I know, those are some serious porta-potties!
Everyone have fun watching the events tomorrow – should be exciting!!
January 19th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
If I lived nearby, I’d probably make it a point to be there. I highly doubt that the event would be anything except for safe. I have a feeling that the police are going to be on high alert.
That sucks though that the bridges will be shut down. Washington is going to be pure chaos!
January 19th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Holy Cow! Wow! And I thought the crowds were bad on July 4th, when we braved getting out to see the fireworks. But it was Awesome! Even if you are not going it’s still exciting knowing it is so close to you. I will be watching from the warmth of my living room by the fireplace. (It’s cold here in the South too) I am so grateful to live in the United States. I am so our new administration. Thanks for sharing your pictures Tabitha, they were really good!
January 19th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
OHHHHHH if I could be there I would be there.. I would love love love it.. I do not like crowds or cold.. lol but I would love to be there.