Watching History From the Comfort of Home
I’ve been on lock down for the past 2 days and will remain until Wednesday morning. Why? Because contrary to popular belief, I am very introverted. This doesn’t mean I’m shy or quiet. Hmph, like I needed to tell y’all that. It just means that I prefer to be alone and my energy is recharged when in solitude. In other words…large crowds of people aggravate the shyt outta me!
There are over 2 million people visiting DC right now.
Major bridges are closed.
Major roads are closed.
Metro is the primary mode of transportation – and you all know how I feel about the metro.
There is nowhere to use a real bathroom.
It’s cold.
It’s snowing.
And I’m coming down with something. *ha-choo!*
So yes, I live right here in the DC area and I am not participating in any inaugural festivities. My friends have been, but I politely declined. Trust me, it was for the best. Instead, they called me on the phone to vicariously share the experience and everything they could not see. While I sat at home and clearly watched yesterday’s performances and historical speech on youtube. LOL
[embedded video: President-Elect @ Lincoln Memorial 1/18/09]
[embedded video: President on Inauguration Day (pt 1) 1/20/09]
[embedded video: President on Inauguration Day (pt 2) 1/20/09]
I plan to enjoy history in the making from the comfort of my own home – in my pajamas with a glass of wine OJ. And occassionally slinging snot with a box of lotion Kleenex because 1) I’m not feeling well and 2) I still can’t believe our new President is black. Wow! *ha-choo!*
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I so understand I HATE crowds.
I’m twenty minutes from the National Mall. I Wouldn’t go out there to save someone’s life!
The cold!
Porta Potties!
That many people in that space. It’s kind of like putting ten pounds of pototato in a five pound sack. Not going to end well.
Let’s hear it for television! There was never a chance I’d get to D.C. but there was also never a chance that I wouldn’t want to watch every minute of this inauguration.
About that cold–my grandmother always treated it with an icky combination of lemon and baking soda. My grandfather taught me that said icky combo tastes a lot better with a shot of Jack Daniels! Whether it helps the cold go away faster, I wouldn’t know, but it DOES make YOU feel better about it!
Man, combine the fact that it’s cold, the number of people, and the whole port-a-pottie issue and that’s enough to keep me away. Lawd bless HDTV!
I saw on the news today that the major bridges will be closed. WOW. Bet no one knew that. Talk about gridlock!
Take care of that cold! Some good homemade chicken noodle soup does the trick for me everytime!
I wanted to go to DC but when they said 2-5 million people I quickly changed my mind. I decided to spend the day with my parents. We are going to watch it on TV.
it’s snowing?? i’m in the fairfax area and i haven’t seen ONE flurry even though i’ve been doing my snow dance for weeks!! i’m checking the windows now….nope no snow! :( feel better!
THANK YOU so much for this!! I’ve been feeling kind of guilty about not going to DC for the Inauguration, as I only live 2 hours away in Richmond. But I too, am not interested in being in such a large crowd, freezing my buns off!! Thanks for the confirmation. :)
I love sick days…Isn’t OUR president Caucasian as well? What’s the rule on being black again? I’m just happy BO has shown to US that there is hope for other than white men to be in power.
I’m with you, Single Ma, I hate crowds! And I feel that I can be part of history from the comfort of my won home, experiencing it on TV. It doesn’t take away from the experience, since most of the people piled up out there can’t see anything anyway!
I have some sort of bacterial infection myself which we’re waiting to find out is strep throat (had culture done yesterday), and our streets are just as crazy here in Chicago. So I’m staying inside, cozy and warm, glued to the TV. Go Obama!
Ok, make that “own” home.
I’m with you SM.. we are watching from the comfort of our home.. kids are taking notes to complete an assignment they have due related to the inauguration. I watched as so many were turned away from metro because lots were full.. I navigated my friends from the comfort of my home so they can get around downtown.. where they were stopped and not let through.. JUST CRAZY.. but its all good.. I’m happy with my view.. and crowds and I just aren’t a good mix..
Feel better.. don’t mix that OJWine with no meds :)
Woo eee!!!
Did your daughter get to stay home and watch Obama with you on the TV?
I went to school with my daughter to see it on the big screen… Wow.
I can’t say that I blame you. I wish I were holed up somewhere in DC watching it all unfold on television. I’d like to be in the city but not OF the city. LOL
Amen sister, i’m doing the same over here in MD ;) In fact i had a few friends who got tickets and were turned away when they got there! man, i would be livid if i went through all that and got nixed – yikes.
But just like you, i’m in my sweats and hoodie and watching it all in my big HD Screen! Day one of 8 years of Obama baby! haha….
Watched the whole thing on TV here in the UK. Is it the start of something positive, lets hope so.
I was there – in the National Mall with millions of others. The worst we endured (besides weather) were the crowds that day. We did a lot of research and purchased Metro cards before our arrival that Saturday. This allowed us to bypass the hundreds of people waiting in line to purchase or reload their cards on Sunday & Monday. We took the VRE (Virginia Rail Express) on Tuesday – no lines, no crowding, and each ticket holder had a seat. We knew what streets/areas would be closed, so we adjusted our routes and avoided major congestion. As for the weather – hand, toe and body warmers were our best friends!