Inauguration 2009…One of Us…WE DID IT!
By APOOO • Jan 20th, 2009 • Category: Thinking Out Loud •
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Despite the mishaps of this morning…SKEE-WEE…but, first and foremost, giving honor to GOD, because he never would have made it without him. Our 44th President of the United State, Barack Hussein Obama, has been sworn in. My family and I were in DC to experience it in all its joy and glory.. We started our venture at 6am this morning…first we made sure we were dressed warmly and appropriately for the below freezing weather projected today…layers, thermals and hand and foot warmers were par for the course. But, I should have known that the way we started the day would be foreboding.
First, the Metro station where we were to depart from, the parking lot had been shut down. Okay so now what. About ten minutes later, the second station we could depart from, their parking lot had closed. What to do, what to do? Our sister-in-law came to the rescue, she drove and dropped us off. We had a one-way pass, but we wanted an all-day pass, tried to get them yesterday but they told us we had to way until this morning. WTF? Anywho, we were in luck; the Metro station that we departed from had them and barely a line. So far, so good. We took the Metro from PG County to DC…train moved smoothly and swiftly…overcrowded at S. Capitol street so folks couldn’t get off. Next stop was FedEx Center…our stop. Got off saw signs for the blue, orange and silver gates. We were silver, so the next question was, “Where do we go?’” Silver line…that way…follow the line near the wall. We followed and followed and followed. Finally, about 4 blocks later we found the end of the line. Got in line, and within 20 minutes we barely moved. But, we had snacks, I had a book and we had good company. Two young ladies from Madison, WI (Beth and Kate) kept us company and they provided us an extra pair of hand/foot warmers.
About an hour later…we’re still pretty far away from the gate…but a strange happened…we begin to move quickly. Within 20 minutes we were almost at the gate…the mall view was in site…we kept getting closer to the gate…we could see the sign…SILVER GATE! Yes, yes…I’m getting ready to be part of history.
Alright we’ve been waiting 40 minutes…it’s now 10:30am…and we have NOT moved anymore…and the natives are getting restless. Why aren’t they letting us in? Why aren’t they communicating with us. Oh, let me back up. We talked to the rest of our party (there are 14 of us…but Rick, Lauren and I stayed with my s-i-l in MD; the rest stayed in VA)…and they’re still on the train! 9:37am…hmmm we were told we had to be in line by 9:00am if we wanted to get on the Mall. And that we needed to be inside the gate by 11:30am…otherwise they would turn us away.
THEY LIED…the Silver Gates closed at 10:30am! WTF…can we say I was upset…can we said I started boo-hoo crying! I’m like I’m at the gate…I can see the sign…I’m on the mall…I GOT A TICKET…it’s only 10:30am…and ya’ll ain’t letting us in? Oh no, the tears are flowing now…because I know there is no way we can make it back to MD or even over to the Hilton (to watch the Inauguration with APOOO member Rosa)…and I’M GOING TO MISS THE SWEARING IN FOR THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF THE US! Oh no…it’s on…and I’m ready to have a temper tantrum…Jesus take the wheel…tell me this ain’t so.
What to do…what to do…hmmm I’ll be back with Part II to let you know what happened.
DISCUSSION QUESTION
In the meantime, share your Inauguration morning–tell me how you spent your morning.
Oh yeah, I’m working on Part II, so please come back later to find out how we handled our situation.
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Wow Yas! I’m sorry to hear that! I would have been crying also. Can’t wait to hear part two. I’m at work, but I watched the inauguration live on CNN.com. It was great! Now, it’s back to work.
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I sat on my bed and watched everything. I sent twitter messages and facebook messages. I could not brave that kind of cold. But I was still enjoying it all from the comfort of my own home.
Yas, I hope the outcome was a good one where you were able to enjoy and smile with the tears of joy for this day in history.
oh no!!!! can’t wait to read pt2…….i stayed home and watched on tv w/oldest son.
Nooooooooooo, please tell me you got in!! O.K. I’m on edge here. I hope you are building up to a good ending.
Well, Yas we know you are very resourceful so we know it has a good outcome but cannot wait ti hear what it was
I celebrated from the comfort of my home and because I still listen to the American U radio station I heard what was going on with Metro and actually saw all of the people streaming in at 6 AM in the morning.
I was in kitchen making chili. I am sorry that it sounds like you had drama but also a headache. Try to get some rest.
Waiting for part II…I was at work, and watched it on CNN as my desk is right in front of the wall monitor.
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Do tell!
Been glued to the TV at work since 8 AM. Did. Not. Move. Until after the departure ceremony for former President Bush, Obama signed the first official docs of his presidency (Act declaring it a Day of Renewal and Reconciliation and the official nominations for his cabinet), and they moved on to lunch. Knees were aching.
As one woman here put it when I lamented about not being there, “He’s on his job and you’re on yours.” I nodded. Good point.
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Ok, I’m sure something miraculous happened and you were able to get in… I’ll stay tuned.
Share your Inauguration morning–tell me how you spent your morning…woke up smiling. Still smiling!!! Been watching all the events unfold all day and doing my ‘We Got a Black President’ dance. So sorry about Kennedy.
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yas you better be in there, i know you can get it done, cant wait for partII. thank you for letting us be there with you. im praying hard for you
Yasmine, I am in DC at our hotel. I am FROZEN TO THE BONE! I have heard the horror stories about folks with tickets not being let in. I don’t know who told you to be there at 9:30, but they LIED. We got down there at 5:00am this morning, and around 5:45AM we made it to the the Silver Gate and it was packed and the line wasn’t moving then! Instead of risking missing out, we made our way to the National Mall and got GREAT spots right in front of the Capital w/o tickets. It was freezing and fabulous! We are about to thaw out and get ready for the ball! We’ll have to compare notes later in the week.
This morning I watched the pre celebration until about 9:00am. Had to see what Michelle was wearing, then left and went to meet my dad at IKEA. We were going to get my bookshelves and be back in time to watch the swearing in ceremony. We got back about 11:00am. We watched the ceremony, while putting my shelves together and empting the old shelves. I did not realize how many books I have around here. Dr. Lowery was da bomb. My dad really liked Aretha’s song. I was just glad she was dressed appropriately. Well I am still trying to reshelf my books.
I’m hoping there’s a happy ending for you…In some way, I know there was whether you got in or not.
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Hey Yas. I went to work today and despite a strict company policy against streaming video over the net, you know what I did as soon as I sat down. I streamed me some major video. Things were going just fine. Me in my office, phone routed to voicemail, outer lights off and desk lamp on low, Starbucks in one hand, shoes on neither foot. Guess I wasn’t the only person ignoring company policy. The net crashed at 11:15. We’re a global corporation and there was no net service on four continents. That’s never happened. You know I was proud. Got a little panicked until I heard there was a TV set up in the big conference room. Watched the whole thing live with my co-workers. Net stayed down until after 3:00 pm. Nice day. All right. Gonna read part 2 of your adventure. Praying you had a happy ending.
Wow! Yasmin, that is a story for the books! I was there as well. I had blue tickets. My daughter and I walked from one side of the Capitol to the other to get where we belonged only to stand in line for almost 3 hours just to get 200 yards away from the security checkpoint to have it shut down…due to a metal detector or detecors malfuntion (who knows since there was really no communication) and someone needing medical attention. By this time my daughter was cold and shaking so we abandoned the line and trekked back to the other side of the Capitol to my job were we watched the ceremony in the conference room where they were serving snacks and refreshments! Many people who wached with us had similiar stories regarding the lines/gates being shut down. The amount of people was too much for security to check in. I can say…I was there!! I pray that part II of your story says…You were there!
Wow Yas, like everyone else, I anxiously await the outcome. My niece was there at 4:30am. She called her dad and was moaning about they didn’t know where to go (like he could do something), then she called back and said she was in line but she was hungry and she was coming down with a cold. He asked her where were the snacks? Silly girls. Then she texted her mom and they were in their seats. I’m getting ready to go to her blog in a few minutes.
I got to my sister’s house about 8:00am. She was making biscuits from scratch, grits, hash browns, turkey bacon and eggs. I brought applewood smoked bacon. ?She of her friends came over and brought fruit, orange juice and champagne for mismosas. We ate, watched, toasted, cried, glued to the TV, high fived Rev. Lowery. We watched Bush get in his airplane and sang, Yeah, yeah, good-bye. Then when they said they weren’t going to show the luncheon, we thought it was as good time as any to go and get our free cosmetics from the class action suit. We got there about 10:30 and the lines were long but moved very quickly.
We hit Nordstrom’s and Macy’s (I got Boucheron perfume and Givenchy) at Stoneridge Mall. Women were in line talking about all the malls they were going to hit but that was a bit much. I did go to the Macy’s closest to my house at Bayfair Mall and got some’Vera Wang Body Polish. They had Lancome, Coty, L’oreal, Clarins and something else and included mascara, face creams, perfums, body wash and lotions.
We came back just in time to see the new President and his wife in the motorcade. We held our breath while he and Michelle were walking but decided we can’t live in fear. Then we watched the parades and finally I came home about 4:00pm and immediately turned on CNN and MSBC as soon as I got in the door. Just watched them dancing together. They are sooo cool and such a beautiful couple. And here I sit until I fall asleep.
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Well, I’ll have to tell you that Bill (DH) said if you did what he think you did that you’re blogging from a jail cell. LOL. Can’t wait for part two. We watched all day long from our warm home. We cried and got chills. Part of me wanted to be there though
Dyanne
What an adventure..Looking forward to part two.
Dyanne…rotflmao tell Bill I said I can’t wait to meet him because his comment was priceless…hehe.
Yas,
Girl you have me hooked and positively salivating to read Pt 2! I am feeling your anger,frustration, and pain through your words.