Inauguration 2009, A Dream Deferred
By APOOO • Jan 20th, 2009 • Category: Thinking Out Loud •
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Hey APOOO family and friends.
I’m back with Part II of Inauguration 2009…okay so it was almost 11am and I was feeling pretty down because I might not see LIVE and in color the swearing-in ceremony for the first black President of the US, Barack Obama. Could this really be happening to me?
To compound the situation, the closest metro was CLOSED…well exiting the city was out from that station! Folks were still coming into the city. We were told that we needed to go to Union Station…on the other side of the Capitol..hmmm can we say on the other side of the city. Hmmm and did I say that the Inauguration had started…I was too threw.
In the meantime, I was pouting and crying…snout was coming out of my nose and my eye make-up was ruined and I looked like a raccoon. I wasn’t even keeping hope alive. I just resolved that I would have to watch a taped version of the ceremony because I wasn’t going to see it ‘in person’ or on TV. I couldn’t get inside the mall and I couldn’t even get the Metro out of the city.
Oh and I was too whipped to cuss anybody out…besides what would it help? Okay I was too whipped….but some other folks were not. They were getting ready to riot. Folks were tired of being bounced from station to station and they were determined to get on a train at FedEx Center. Besides, if we couldn’t see the Inauguration, don’t hijack us and keep us in the city. Security wasn’t trying to hear it. Sista security guard had serious attitude and she didn’t care about us…she wasn’t calling nobody for NOTHING.
I was just taking it all in and still boohooing…and then a calmness came over me. A classy sista about ten-years older than me…with a bad red suit, matching hat and coat…came up very graciously and quietly said…’I don’t care what you do…but you got to do something.’ Okay, she didn’t say that…LOL…but she basically said ‘take charge of this situation, listen to us and avoid having a riot on your hands.’
Hallelujah! Around 11am, we were on the Metro and headed back to Largo (MD). Got back around 11:15am…now what to do. I refused to call my sister-in-law to come and pick us up…after all the Inauguration had begun. And, I didn’t have the AUDACITY to call and ask her to interrupt her program, to also miss the inaguration to come and pick us up! Mind you…my husband had no shame in his game…he asked…and I immediately preceded to start cussing him out. LOL.
Fast-forwarding, God must have felt my pain because the angels smiled on us. Across from the Metro station was a small strip mall…with a restaurant row. Being ever hopeful, I prayed that one of the restaurants had a TV for us to watch at least some of the inauguration.
First stop. Nope. Second stop–nope. Third place–nope. Fourth place–nope. Only one restaurant left…it’s not looking good. It’s a Caribbean restaurant and by now I’m thinking well at least I can get a nice, warm meal and USE A BATHROOM…lol (hadn’t seen one since 6am this one). Lo and behold, I looked through the window and they had not one but two television. It was on and we were on like Flynt…lol.
It was PERFECT timing…we actually were able to see almost the beginning of the inauguration. We caught it right before Rick Warren did the prayer. Also, got to see Ree-Ree, she LOOKED GOOD… I loved that hat. And, it seems that there were others who had been turned away from the inauguration as well. They were as happy as I was to see a restaurant with a TV. After a few minutes, we had a full house.
While we weren’t able to experience the event…live and up, close and personal…I still got to experience the event with others in what was probably a much better environment and atmosphere. I didn’t have to stand for an hour and 45 minutes in the cold, I didn’t pee on myself (lol) and I gave a sista some business….along with about 100 other good peeps. Actually, it was more personal and I even got to reach out and touch the President. Okay, so I touched him via TV but that was much closer than I would have been to him in the mall.
So, while we were given lemons we managed to make lemonade. Additionally, as we were heading back to my sister-in-law’s, I was reminded that things happen for a reason. I have a slight case of claustrophobia and I don’t brave crowds well…but I was willing to give the Inauguration a try. While it wasn’t meant to be…it was probably for the best. Because, did I ever share with you all that I once fainted at a concert because of claustrophobia 
I’m out…got to get ready for this evening. Got to go rub elbows and take pictures with Michelle and Barack Obama. Okay, but before I head out, I have a comment and a couple of questions.
DISCUSSION CORNER
What did everyone think of President Obama’s speech?
What about Rev. Lowery’s prayer and how many of you caught, remember and chuckled at the end of his prayer? Tell em Rev! 
Does anyone, other than me, want to give Justice Roberts a beatdown? Why the heck did he change the swearing-in script on Obama? (Don’t start none…won’t be none.)
Prayers going up for Senator Kennedy and Godspeed to him.
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I’m a firm believer in taking 99 cents and turning into a dollar (lol) glad things worked out for you. As far as the crowds, that’s why I didn’t venture across the bridge and into the city – too many people! I think Barack’s speech put the world and nation on notice that it was a new world order; a brand new day. I like the comment about meeting with an open hand and not a closed fist. Rev. Lowrey took them to church – when he began with the Black National Anthem I cheered. And the end – well what can I say (lol) – it was a homage to the past and what can’t contine in the future.
And Justice Roberts – what in the hell was up with him? I KNEW Barack knew it, but the man tripped him up. But I’m glad the commentators pointed out who made the boo-boo.
Have a great time tonight – I know it will make up for the confusion of today.
BTW, where did you get on to go all the way back to Largo?
President Obama’s (first time typing his name this way :::big grin:::) gave a wonderful speech. Robert’s…grrrrrrrrrrrrr and I LOVED Rev Lowery’s prayer with jokes. It was rite on time
Great updates Yas! No matter what, you have a great inauguration story to tell. Lowery had me laughing. And I wanted to throttle Roberts, but then again, it just showed how well prepared Obama was, and he tried to graciously help Roberts out. Another reminder of what kind of man he is.
We want pictures and details of the ball!!!!
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Thanks for the updates Yasmin… and you are soooo right.. Rev. Lowery’s Prayer .. PRICELESS
Have A wonderful time at the ball
What a day you had Yasmin. I’m glad the restaurant proved to be enjoyable for you. Loved Lowery’s speech. Roberts probably couldn’t believe he was swearing in a brother, Obama had him tongue tied. Whatever punk, I wanted to throw a shoe at him.
Incredible how the whole world loves this man. I mean the entire world is inspired by him. It’s so awesome.
Have fun tonight. We look forward to the pictures.
And was Michelle sharp or what? I love her.
Wish I could’ve been there. I did at least get to watch the swearing in and President Obama’s speech. Yes! I was crackin’ up at the end of Rev. Lowery’s prayer!
You had a happy ending Yas. I’m happy for you. There’s a new energy bubbling up in the world and your experience gave us a brief glimpse of things to come. Just when we start to thinking it’s ova, things change for the better.
I’m happy everything worked out for you. At least you got to be there and experience it firsthand.
Too funny. Glad you had the chance to see and enjoy the inauguration.
Loved Obama’s speech. Loved Michelle’s daytime outfit; not so much her evening gown, although she looked as regal as always. Loved Rev. Lowery’s prayer. Just loved the whole thing. Missed about 45 min of the parade when I left work to pick up son and drive home. Other than that, caught everything, including balls until just past midnight.
It was something to witness.
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Yaaaaaaaaaeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! Glad things worked out for you!!
I LOVED the Rev’s benediction!
I think Roberts did that on purpose!
All’s well that ends well. You were in a warm place with some good food and some good company. I’m sure there were thousands who came and were resigned to watching from the TV screen. You were still there.
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