The Challenges We Face Are Real...But They Will Be Met!

The Inauguration of Barack Obama as seen by spectators
on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial.

Note the Washington Monument behind the Jumbotron and, way off
in the distance, the Capitol. (Click image to enlarge.)

Despite all the rhetoric from the networks that the Mall was packed, lines were painfully long, and access to the Mall supposedly difficult, I got on the 54 bus yesterday morning at 14th and Colorado NW around 9:15 and traveled down to 14th and L Streets NW. From there, I walked over to Constitution and 19th and entered the Mall unimpeded. I joined my fellow citizens near the Korean War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial to see and listen to the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. All I'm going to say is it was indescribably awesome and I'm glad I braved the cold and the crowds to see this historic event!

L: Ms. Hazel, a D.C. resident who lives up around Brookland, came out to celebrate a moment she said she
never thought she'd live to see. R: Gretchen, in town from Chicago, was proud to see one of her town's
finest leaders rise to the highest office in the land.

A shout out to Hazel from Brookland here in the city and Gretchen from Chicago, two strangers who became friends while we shared this great moment in American history--along with millions of others--on the Mall, at home, and abroad. To see a slideshow of just some of the hundreds of thousands of people who gathered on the Mall in celebration, click on the slideshow below.



If you missed President Obama's speech, here is the transcript and video below.



And, finally, the beauty of the Neighborhood Ball--Beyonce singing "At Last" as the President and First Lady dance.



*****

To see really awesome photos from the inauguration by other D.C. photo bloggers, visit JuxtaExposed and The 42.

Video source: The Washington Post

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

And Thus, It Begins

The U.S. Capitol Inaugural Stage: On Tuesday, Barack Obama and Joseph Biden
will take the oath of office here in one of the world's finest examples of peaceful transitions in power.

Yesterday afternoon, I wandered down to the east end of the National Mall to see the set-up at the Capitol for Tuesday's inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The crowds on the east end were impressive and the excitement was palpable. But it was on the west end of the Mall, at the pre-inaugural concert, that I should have been. (Although, I'm not a fan of huge crowds and this one was estimated to be nearly half a million deep.)

Check out these pictures from the Washington Post.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

Bunting

Stars and stripes surround the door of the PNC Bank branch at 1501 Pennsylvania Avenue
across from the U.S. Treasury Building and within sight of the White House.

Washington pretties itself up and buttons itself down for the inauguration of our nation's presidents and this inauguration is no exception. Today's post features some of the bunting that currently bedecks buildings down near the White House.

Bunting on an office building in the 1800-block of Pennsylvania Avenue

In addition to decorating buildings, security is also very tight. Among other things, the Department of Public Works will remove all trash cans along the presidential parade route. The Department of Transportation will weld all manhole covers shut along the same route. And, on the afternoon of January 19, traffic light poles will be taken down from the center of the avenue. In addition, all bridges from the Commonwealth of Virginia will be closed to auto traffic.

Patriotic colors surround the doorway of the PNC Bank branch on Pennsylvania Avenue

This year's inaugural events includes 22 Jumbotron televisions set up along the length of the National Mall and on the parade route. Crowd estimates currently stand at 2 million. While most of us living in the city and surrounding areas are excited about this year's historic inaugural, many of us are also glad this event only happens every four years!


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09