Yes, it was cold, it was crowded, it was most of the horrible things you’ve heard about that day.  It was also one of the best days of my life.

Sunday

Flew into DC and caught some snaps of the crowd below at the We Are One Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

Took the metro from the Airport to my friend Tricia’s place in Adams Morgan and arrived just in time to accompany her and her partner Jason to her firm’s party held at Cork Wine Bar.

After the party we headed back to Trica’s place.  Tricia and Jason headed to another party at the French Embassy while I took James Baxter out to pee.

Monday

Got up early (of many early days) to lead volunteer at the Official Inaugural MLK Service Day held at RFK Stadium.  I met up with my friend Steph, her sister Shana and Shana’s husband Mark.  Thousands of volunteers in assembled care packages for U.S. troops posted in Iraq and Afghanistan. We organized the public in putting together the packages containing sunscreen, toothpaste, energy drinks and other items in a project organized by Serve D.C., Operation Gratitude and the Target store chain.

Mayor Fenty attends

That evening I attended the Public Allies gathering at 1905 Bistro.  It was great to see Bethann Hester, Leif Elsmo, Asim Mishra, Donna Smyth, Jeff Hutchinson, co-founder Katrina Brown and many other old school Public Allies staff come to celebrate Michelle (& Barack).

Tuesday (The big day)

Here are two clips from my bit in the parade.  Let me know if you see me because I can’t.  I’m carrying the Wisco. flag.

After scoring a ticket to the Western Ball and sneaking into the MidAtlantic & Midwestern Balls I settled on the Midwestern Ball.  Here’s the highlight.

done

Reading this post about the Google Party makes me wish I hadn’t bailed on it because I was too tired.  Oh well, there is always his second Inauguration…