OK Communicator Inauguration Blogcast

11:20

Just woke up.  Am frantically pressing buttons on four separate remote controls to try and figure out how to get this TV off of the DVD input (due to an Arrested Development marathon last night) and onto the Cable input.

11:24

Got it on the Cable setting, but no sound.  Am calling Sebastian to figure out how to work his TV.

11:25

OK, now I have sound.

11:26

CNN newscasters have uttered the name "Aretha Franklin" no fewer than 15 times since I've begun watching coverage.  Thinking of trying to turn this into a drinking game.

11:32

A moment of almost erotic ecstasy passes over me as I watch George Bush walk through the rotunda.  This is his last day on the job and, hopefully, the final page of one of the worst chapters ever in the entire history of governance.

11:34

One newscaster is asked to expound on "the peaceful transfer of power."  As if this were the first time that the President of the United States achieved the office by election, as opposed to bloody coup.  Now they're talking about slaves.  

11:35

Cheney is in a wheelchair.  Just exquisite.  He could not look more like Mr. Potter, the villain of "It's a Wonderful Life," if he tried.

11:36

Am becoming increasingly jealous of the fact that Sprout has tickets to the Daily Show tonight.

11:39

First glimpse of Barack Obama.  As always, I feel like I'm about to cry.  Not only is he breathtaking, but even more remarkable, the CNN newscasters have shut up for a full 60 seconds.  Truly, it's an inauguration miracle

11:43

Interesting that he decided to be announced as "Barack H. Obama."  Also, I'm not 100% certain that I'm down with this announcer.  It sounds as if he's going to cut out after the inauguration and start cutting audio for monster truck rally commercials.  

11:47

Interesting to see Bush's reaction to Feinstein's comments about the power of the ballot.  The interior monologue perhaps runs something like this: "There's a third way, my friend.  You can rig it"

11:48

Rick Warren's invocation is a bit creepy.  While we're on the subject, everything about Rick Warren is a bit creepy.

11:53

Alright!  On to Aretha.  I think I want that hat.

11:55

Please let this extend into a medley.  I really want to hear "Freeway of Love (Pink Cadillac)."  Blast...no such luck.  Hmmm, maybe Robert Bennet will do it up.

11:59

Right on!  An Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and some-other-people-whom-I've-never-heard-of performance.  Very classy.  I wonder whether there was serious consideration launching right into the West Wing theme song.  Mental note: watching a pianist play with fingerless gloves, regardless of the reason, is sexy.

12:04

Despite the fact that he has yet to be sworn in, Barack Obama is now the President.  How completely awesome.  

12:06

That's it.  How unspeakably cool.  A few hitches there, a couple of repeats on the part of Justice Roberts, but what are you going to do?  How truly remarkable.  What a beautiful, beautiful moment.

12:42

And...scene.  Congratulations, everyone.  We seem to finally be on a pretty legitimate track.  Long may it last.