Meeting Persephone

Of course it was incredible to watch all of yesterday's inauguration celebration on television. The swearing in of our new president was a surreal moment for so many and I don't blame at all those who wanted to be there for it despite those freezing temperatures - it might have helped bring a bit of reality to the event while I still sit here waiting for it all to sink in. I felt the same way after Clinton was elected after we'd endured 12 years of Republican reign. It will take awhile for it all to sink in as more than too good to be true.

But on to the festivities of yesterday!

Yes, we now have our first black president which is obviously a difference from past elections. Some witty DJs are quipping "once you go black..." jokes and I do wonder about that myself as I see this as a sort of floodgate opening for change and progress. We have gone there and it seems unlikely that we will ever go back - how can we? It's a new age and I truly am glad to be alive right now. Hold onto your asses, crusty ol' white conservatives - you're in for a ride! There was a great deal of commentary from Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer that sounded more like John Madden and Dan Fouts at times but sounded like something from 'Project Runway' ("do pink and orange really go together? I had no idea they went together but little Sasha sure does look great in those colors even though I wouldn't have thought they'd go together....").

PRESIDENT Obama was immediately rushed in to sign three executive orders, joking as he prepared to sign the first, "I'm left-handed. Get used to it!" Our new president and vice-president then took out the trash - err - escorted the former president and vice-president to their escape vehicles where I honored each with a final salute of the one-finger variety though Obama and Biden showed more class. And then it was off to the luncheon - the beginning of a flurry to mark the celebration of this new day that is dawning in America.

The tone of the day was jubulation until a frightening episode during the luncheon when Sen. Kennedy was taken to the hospital following a seizure brought on by fatigue. Kennedy had looked so wonderful - truly I was pleasantly surprised by his appearance - so to hear that he'd had a medical emergency came as a shock. I hope that he recovers from this well and quickly.

PRESIDENT Obama made his way to the White House where he and the First Lady warmed themselves and probably took a moment to catch their breath after what had already been a whirlwind of activity though he'd only been president for a few hours. If it was all surreal for me I can only imagine how they must feel. From there they headed off to the parade that never ended or so it seemed. And I saw that look, Mr. President! that look you gave your stunningly beautiful wife during one of the bands playing 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'! I loved it! Watching this young vibrant couple - she is half of that couple for sure, not a stepford wife or an accessory to his life. It's a beautiful thing to behold and what an example of the modern family. I just gush when I think about it! And then it was off to the parties....

WOW! The parties!

The 'Neighborhood Ball' was aired on ABC and so that was the one we watched. There was nothing stuffy about this ball. I sat here with my jaw dropped waiting for Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest to appear on the screen for another countdown to the new year but it really was an inaugural party - the likes of which we'd never seen before! Will.I.am started the party off with 'It's A New Day' and the entire crowd was bouncing. Who am I kidding? We were bouncing too! Watching the children singing and dancing knowing how different their future will be... WOW!

Finally PRESIDENT Obama and the First Lady made their appearance for the couple's first dance. Of course they danced to 'At Last' as performed by Beyonce. How she maintained her composure while singing for them is beyond me. I cried openly watching them embrace and smiling at one another. So at home in a room full of young faces and so obviously in love while very aware of the brevity of their new roles. Such an interesting melding of awareness were on display for all of us to see in a way we've never witnessed in one of our leaders before.

Jay-Z performed and I have to admit that I laughed my ass off when I saw him. What was with those glasses?? I didn't know whether we were supposed to dance or pull out our math homework. Hey, Jay? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?



PRESIDENT Obama and the First Lady danced again to 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' by the incomparable Stevie Wonder and then they were swept off to another of the 10 balls being held that night in his honor. But the party at the 'Neighborhood Ball' didn't end. There were also performances from Alicia Keyes, Mary J. Blige, Sting, Faith Hill, Shakira and Maroon 5.



And then 'Anti-Gravity' appeared and just when I didn't think my jaw could drop any lower than it already had! Words can't even adequately describe their performance nor the trampoline type foot-gear they were wearing but it was interesting to say the least. Maybe my daughter's "SWEET!" is the best way to sum it up.



When I was young I'd asked my dad what the difference was between Republicans and Democrats. He'd told me "Republicans want everyone to keep their money. Democrats want everyone to share their money." I think he was wrong about that or at least too simplistic. Maybe at the time I'd asked him that was the only tangible difference between the two, but I think now the differences are far more profound. For me, the differences between Democrats and Republicans have more to do with personal responsibility versus community responsibility.



No, it definitely wasn't your daddy's inauguration. It was symbolic of the freshness and youth of our new leader and an introduction into a world we can only imagine right now. But make no mistake about it- that new world is coming and I can already feel the death spasm of the pervasive past finally trembling its last. It was OUR inauguration and our new leader has made it abundantly clear that the resposibilities are ours to share in the future. We will all be the ones to make the differences that we want to see.