Inauguration 2013

Obama's Second Inaugural was different than the first, though not necessarily in a more liberal, progressive way. The crowds were larger than expected and we arrived too late to get a spot on the Mall, ending up next to the Washington Monument with no direct view of the Capitol. And the Jumbotron broke early in the program, leaving the crowd alternately groaning and laughing. Juley and I shared ear buds on her MP-3 radio and heard the Address just fine. Found a pub on the way home, and enjoyed every minute of the day.

Friday, January 18, 11:54PM. There were already so many TV trucks and concrete barriers blocking the streets the no parking sign was but a formality.
Friday, January 18, 11:56. The Porta-potties stilled smelled disinfected and were already forming a chemical barrier around the perimeter of the Mall.
Friday, January 18, 11:59PM. Reunited for some concerts at the Smithsonian during the Inaugural weekend, members of "President Lincoln's Own," - the band from the movie Lincoln - pose in front of the Capitol before performing "We Are Coming Father Abraham, 600,000 More," a chart-buster from 1862.
Saturday, January 19, 10:11AM. Already the big coaches are rolling into the city.
Saturday, January 19, 10:15 AM. The brand-new grass was covered with plastic flooring which was covered in places with chairs. Swell, if you had a ticket.
January 19, 10:23AM. Maneuvering between crowd-control fencing and walls of porta-potties, Park Police riders circuit the perimeter of the Mall.
January 19, 12:57PM. Planning ahead for the post-inaugural-ball balls, a couple buys some Obama Condoms.
January 19, 12:04PM. Look Ma, I'm on TV!
January 19, 12:47PM. The Mayor's reviewing stand, outside DC's District Building, shouts its own agenda.
January 19, 12:50PM. Bedecked with flags, Pennsylvania Ave awaits the big parade.
January 19, 12:59PM. Famed Willard's Hotel, one block from the White House, had more flags than the Washington Monument.
January 19 1:11PM. A limo driver cooly makes his way to his vehicle, on the way to pick up his VIP fare.
January 21, 10:21AM. Walking to the Mall, friendly roadblocks (an oxymoron?) kept pushing us farther from our goal. The President and his family had worshiped at St. John's Church, at left, just a short time before.
January 21, 10:42AM, Juley stands out from the crowd.
January 21, 10:43AM. Sticking it out for the photographer.
January 21, 10:44, Free riders (Bicycle rickshaws can't charge fares, accept only "tips.")
January 21, 11:34AM, a strangely cloudy day.
January 21, 11:20AM, gathering at the Last Jumbotron, one full mile from the Capitol steps.
January 21, 11:02. The crowd realizes the Jumbotron doesn't work. At least there are plenty of porta-potties handy.
Hats on for Obama!
Hats on for Obama!
Princess Hats on for Obama!
Aerial photographer.
Click the play button for an actual recording of what the Jumbotron actually sounded like during the Brooklyn Tabernacle's stirring rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Juley's MP-3 player has a radio and she shared her ear buds with me so's we could both hear the big speech.
January 21, 11:51. Bad sound or no, we knew what was happening, and approved. Mightily.
Happy family.
January 21, 12:19. The speech concluded, the crowded headed up Constitution Ave, not bothering with the rest of the Inaugural program.
January 21, 1:28. Constitution Ave and 20th Street NW. No cars, man! No cars!
January 21, 1:57PM. We found a nice pub, no waiting, the waitress brought us beer and chili. Happy 'Nauguration Day President Obama! Pictures of the first Obama inaugural are here: http://smu.gs/WHYjUn. A somewhat different story....

TimBrown

Inauguration 2013