today

I think that blogging is kind of like journaling. I want to remember my impressions of today, thus, I'm going to share them with you.

First, beyond everything, I've been really moved...all day. What a phenomenal thing to see. Regardless of political affiliation, it is so amazing to know what we finally have elected someone other than a white male to the Presidency. I truly wondered if I would see that day. I'm not sure my kids understand. The media...movies...music...have moved faster than reality. They believe the President can be black because there have been black presidents in movies. Reality. Reality has been far different. And working in a male dominated field, I have known and felt the difference. It is inspiring to see this change.

The remainder of my observations are both serious and silly.

I couldn't help but chuckle during the oath. As Biden was taking his oath, I was impressed with the way he remembered the long phrasing. I even remember thinking about my own worries when taking my wedding vows. I was afraid that I wouldn't repeat them correctly.

So when Obama began messing them up. I just chuckled and thought, "Ok. NONE of us is perfect." But now that I've learned that the Chief Justice decided to go without notes and that it was HE who messed it up, I am more amused. (To say that I am NOT a fan of Scalia is the understatement of the year. I like George Bush...yes, SHRUB...better than I like Scalia.)

Did anyone else notice that Obama was introduced as "Barack H. Obama?" I commented right away that the announcer did not use "Hussein", even though he had previously introduced "William Jefferson Clinton" and "George Walker Bush". Later in the day, I heard a commentator say that when taking the oath Obama used his full middle name. Did anyone notice? I certainly missed it. But I was probably shrinking away from the oath gaffs.

I loved a couple of things in Obama's speech. When he chided up to put aside "childish things". Oh yes! Let's hope Congress heard that. ALL of them. But the crap aside. Work together. And if they don't, we should kick all their asses out of office.

I also loved his comment about a, "Collective failure to make hard choices." I hear the talking heads saying this is a commentary on the Bush administration. I suppose the former administration is part of it, but I believe that comment must be considered by each of us. I think our society lives beyond its means--individually and collectively. We all need to make hard choices and perhaps the current economy is a way of making us do that.

I also like how he talked about the "price and principles of citizenship." (Not sure I remember that quote right, but the idea is accurate.) There is a price and pride and principles involved. I need reminding of that sometimes.

It was so Shakespearean when he referred to, "this winter of our hardship." Loved it.

In the poem, I was moved by the lines referring to, "On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp..." Oh yes. Yes, we are. Let us all hope that it is the brink ... brim .... cusp of change for the good.

Finally, the scene with the helicopter lifting off was so amazing. To realize that in this country the former leader simply gets in a aircraft and flies home. We are so peaceful and so ordered by the rule of law, that the change is power is this easy. We are all so lucky to live in a country where change is this calm.

Oh, and Aretha, girl, someone should have told you, "STEP AWAY FROM THE BOW...err...HAT!" Man. That was a BAD choice.