Inaugurated

When I got in the car this morning on my way to school I turned the radio on and realized that the inauguration was being broadcast live. After a few moments it became apparent that it was Pastor Rick Warren giving the invocation. I turned the radio off. But when I got to school our class ended up watching Obama be sworn in and his speech following that.

I'm not usually given to feeling very patriotic but I had to admit it was a powerful moment. Seeing the crowd that had assembled there to watch Obama being sworn in, hearing his (carefully crafted) speech, seeing how emotionally other people in the room I was in were reacting... well, I couldn't help but be aware that, like it or not, as an American citizen I am a part of something larger than myself. I can choose to participate and be responsible or I can choose to work against the system. But I do have the freedom to make those choices and that is something I've always taken for granted.

Today, I'm thankful to be American.

New Throw Pillows for the White House?

I found an interesting blurb about the White House in a "Design Daily" news briefing email I receive from ASID. It is interesting because another article I read talked about how there probably wouldn't be any extensive White House renovations due to the economy, and yet this article says that there is a $100,000 budget every four years! Which makes sense considering the size, function, and historical value of the property. Text below is copied from the email:

Barack and Michelle Obama have many design choices to make as part of their transition into the White House.

In the second installment of a series titled "Obama Chic: The Changing Face of the White House," FOX News (11/12, Corbin) reported on its website that, as part of the transition to the new President-elect, Barack and Michelle Obama will "transform the 208-year-old White House into the place they call home -- all while considering the historical preservation of times past. As have all the First Families before them, the President-elect and future first lady will supervise the refurbishing and redecorating of the White House residence -- working closely with a team of interior designers." They can redesign their personal space, and "have the authority to restore...public spaces, like the State Dining Room," as well as the White House grounds. The budget, appropriated by Congress "for the furniture and decor of the residence... was set at $100,000 for President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush," and is "allocated every four years."

Relief

Having had a few days to reflect on the election results, I have to say I've got such a strong sense of relief at how things turned out. My only real disappointment was the passing of Proposition 8 in California.

The scariest thing about this election for me was Sarah Palin and all of the right-wing nutjobs who came out of the woodwork in support of her. (For the record, let me say that I'm not really fond of left-wing nutjobs either.) She was interesting to watch, but I'm going to cross my fingers that we've seen the last of her on the national stage.

Even if I'm not a raving Obamaniac, it was still heartening to have gone and voted for him and to discover that us Americans finally had a collective "Network" moment where the majority of us shouted, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

President Obama

The excitement was palpable outside our apartment tonight. I was neither glued to the internets or the television when I discovered Obama had won. And it wasn't from a phone call or text message either. I was alerted to it by the whooping of voices and honking of car horns that I could hear through the window. I figured it meant Obama had won, and when I checked CNN, my suspicions were confirmed.

My experience at the voting booth today didn't offer any heartwarming or community-building stories to share, like those I've been reading about online. But hearing all of the excitement outside, celebrating as if it were New Year's Eve is kind of nice!