photo credit: denver post photographer
23 January 2009
22 January 2009
hope & life & love
I was at work and being yelled at by my ass of a boss for listening to it. McCain supporter, does not care about history or hope or anything. Just that his man didn't win. Sore loser. But, I when I got home I watched all I could. I have such HOPE and feel very proud to be an American. Barack has his work cut out for him but I have faith that he will be able to pull us out of this mess. Having a young family in the White House just gives out the vibes of HOPE & LIFE & LOVE! Barack, Michelle, Malia & Sasha...Rock On!!!
Peace & Love,
Mary [Phoenix, AZ, US]
i felt like a giant
I followed all of Senator Feinstein's requests.....I. E. when she asked us to stand...I stood, I also removed my hat and placed it over my heart as I would at the playing of the national anthem right before the Steelers were to kill some unfortunate team....and as I did so tears flowed down my cheeks and I was blubbering like a child....and never....never was I filled with more pride in who I was, and of my country, that I felt I was an integral part of...in that exact moment....and also the part I played in all of it..from the discourse to the actual voting that I did. Now I am 5'2'' but at that moment....I, felt like a Giant!!! These are my true feelings regarding it all.
David [Wisconsin, US]
work to do
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."
President Barack Obama
20 January 2009
President Barack Obama
20 January 2009
new day
i've been looking forward to this day, like so many other folks, for a long time. so many of my experiences echo those already left here. i, too, grew up in the south, in memphis, tennessee. one of my clearest memories as a child is the assassination of john kennedy. five short years later, dr. martin luther king, jr. was murdered in my hometown. then came the killing of bobby kennedy on the verge of promise and hope for america.
i have heard the question, where were you?, in regard to numerous tragedies in my lifetime. one reason i wanted to start this blog was to change that, to ask where were you about a positive, celebratory event in our history. another was to give people a place to share their experiences. i hope you will be moved to share yours.
my inauguration day started with a wake-up phone call at 7am [thank you, monica!]; the snooze alarm had already gone off a third time. my partner and i roused out of bed, made coffee and hit the road, i in my robe. we traveled the seven miles into town to olympia's capitol theater where we were lucky enough to have seats saved [thanks again, mon!]. there we watched history in the making, saw the millions of smiling, crying people on the capitol mall and felt a kinship with them.
it was amazing to be among and share this moment with so many people within my community
there in that crowded theater. there were cheers, tears and a sense of hope for this new day.
Mian [Olympia, WA, US]
Kimya Dawson performing after President Obama's swearing in
Capitol Theater, Olympia, WA
photo credit: Berd at Oly Blog
i have heard the question, where were you?, in regard to numerous tragedies in my lifetime. one reason i wanted to start this blog was to change that, to ask where were you about a positive, celebratory event in our history. another was to give people a place to share their experiences. i hope you will be moved to share yours.
my inauguration day started with a wake-up phone call at 7am [thank you, monica!]; the snooze alarm had already gone off a third time. my partner and i roused out of bed, made coffee and hit the road, i in my robe. we traveled the seven miles into town to olympia's capitol theater where we were lucky enough to have seats saved [thanks again, mon!]. there we watched history in the making, saw the millions of smiling, crying people on the capitol mall and felt a kinship with them.
it was amazing to be among and share this moment with so many people within my community
there in that crowded theater. there were cheers, tears and a sense of hope for this new day.Mian [Olympia, WA, US]
Kimya Dawson performing after President Obama's swearing in
Capitol Theater, Olympia, WA
photo credit: Berd at Oly Blog
first-timer
I wanted so badly to be part of the inauguration ceremonies. For the first time in my life I cared. Though I know it's not going to solve everything, it is tremendous to witness the growth of this country. I was honored to be involved with a celebration of Marin Luther King Jr. day and delivered a performance with a diverse bunch. I will always remember being a part of history, speaking out in midst of the transitions of the universe.
Since as I said it was the first inauguration that I cared about, I had no idea that it would take place in the morning. I expected it to be at night. I was gearing up for the festivities and I slept through the whole affair! My close friend recorded the whole thing. I am hoping to get a chance to watch it soon and cry with the rest of the beating hearts of the nation.
Peace
Joanna [Olympia, WA, US]
21 January 2009
joy
1) I was at work - everyone had it on their computer except me, I didn't have any speakers and the feed was stuttering. I knew we were going to watch it at home later that night. A customer called in during the anticipation of Obama being introduced and I heard his TV in the background of the crowds. During the speech the office was silent while everyone watched. I felt like I was missing something, but at the same time I was filled with joy knowing what was going on.
2) After I was home from work, we sat down as a family to have dinner. After dinner, I had Ash put on his Obama shirt I made him and we all sat on the couch while watching the John Williams song be performed and then Obama being sworn in and his speech. I felt his nervousness through his swearing in and his pride during his speech.
It was actually not as exciting as when he won, that day was so much more monumental for us. Ash was mesmerized during Obama's winning speech, I was in tears and we were all so proud to be American.
Kristan [Ashland, OR, US]
initial responses
It was a good day
I took Jill and a friend, who as an aside is of mixed racial heritage and felt the changes we are undergoing in a very personal way, down to Capitol Theatre. It was packed when we arrived, standing room in the lobby only. But after a while of stretching up on our toes, peering through cracks between shoulders in front of us, I saw a small opening and urged the girls to try to get forward into the theatre. Then I said to surrounding people, can the kids get through to see? And the crowd opened for them, everyone saying, yes, let the kids see. I feel deeply that this is their era and it bodes hopefully.
The other moment that got me came when Obama listed our American faiths and included "nonbelievers". I have never been included before and what made me smile was that the whole audience in Capitol theatre cheered for that inclusion. A good thing about Olympia.
I was three when Kennedy so sadly was killed and I don't remember where I was, but throughout my childhood would hear adults say that they never forgot where they were and with whom on that day. I will never forget where I was and with whom on the day that for the first time in my life, I wanted to sing the national anthem and cried at the beauty of change.
Molly [Olympia, WA, US]
I was home sick, so watched coverage from 7:00am to 8:00pm on all manner of channels, but focusing on MSNBC. Every time they focused on Barack Obama, tears welled up; it was finally happening, finally real. I felt bad for the President and First Lady, though, for having to endure the never-ending parade and ten Inaugural Balls. And then they made him to to a meeting at 7:45 this morning! Let the poor man process! I hope he is able to get a good night's sleep tonight in his new home.
Ari [Sequim, WA, US]
I watched the inauguration with several hundred people at our local community center.
Having been a child in Memphis when Dr. King was killed, I felt a kind of subtle fear yesterday as I watched our new President and his wife walk down Penn. Ave. I kept wondering how they could be safe out in public without protective glass around them – walking past those hundreds of thousands of people in the crowd. My experience of the inauguration was tainted by my fear of having lived through the assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK, and John Lennon. I’m so thankful that our new First Family was kept safe and today (the day after) I’m very, very grateful and happy for our new visionary leader, a man of great integrity and intelligence who will lead us, at last, into a new era in America.
After the inauguration a group of kindergarten children stood in front of the large tv screen and sang,”This Little Light of Mine”. These children warmed my heart and made me smile and rejoice that they will now have a future because of the goodness and true leadership of this amazing man, President Barack Obama.
Laurie York [Albion, CA, US]
I was home. Inside the house. In bed. Watching on Television. I rarely do any of that in the day time. I paused.
I took Jill and a friend, who as an aside is of mixed racial heritage and felt the changes we are undergoing in a very personal way, down to Capitol Theatre. It was packed when we arrived, standing room in the lobby only. But after a while of stretching up on our toes, peering through cracks between shoulders in front of us, I saw a small opening and urged the girls to try to get forward into the theatre. Then I said to surrounding people, can the kids get through to see? And the crowd opened for them, everyone saying, yes, let the kids see. I feel deeply that this is their era and it bodes hopefully.
The other moment that got me came when Obama listed our American faiths and included "nonbelievers". I have never been included before and what made me smile was that the whole audience in Capitol theatre cheered for that inclusion. A good thing about Olympia.
I was three when Kennedy so sadly was killed and I don't remember where I was, but throughout my childhood would hear adults say that they never forgot where they were and with whom on that day. I will never forget where I was and with whom on the day that for the first time in my life, I wanted to sing the national anthem and cried at the beauty of change.
Molly [Olympia, WA, US]
I was at home working listening to excerpts as it came on the radio - I then watched a programme called Obama's Story about how he got where he is. I was very excited about it and felt it was a very historical day for the world. I worry about the amount of expectation heaped on his shoulders.
Deborah [Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK]
Deborah [Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK]
I was home sick, so watched coverage from 7:00am to 8:00pm on all manner of channels, but focusing on MSNBC. Every time they focused on Barack Obama, tears welled up; it was finally happening, finally real. I felt bad for the President and First Lady, though, for having to endure the never-ending parade and ten Inaugural Balls. And then they made him to to a meeting at 7:45 this morning! Let the poor man process! I hope he is able to get a good night's sleep tonight in his new home.
Ari [Sequim, WA, US]
I watched the inauguration with several hundred people at our local community center.
Having been a child in Memphis when Dr. King was killed, I felt a kind of subtle fear yesterday as I watched our new President and his wife walk down Penn. Ave. I kept wondering how they could be safe out in public without protective glass around them – walking past those hundreds of thousands of people in the crowd. My experience of the inauguration was tainted by my fear of having lived through the assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK, and John Lennon. I’m so thankful that our new First Family was kept safe and today (the day after) I’m very, very grateful and happy for our new visionary leader, a man of great integrity and intelligence who will lead us, at last, into a new era in America.
After the inauguration a group of kindergarten children stood in front of the large tv screen and sang,”This Little Light of Mine”. These children warmed my heart and made me smile and rejoice that they will now have a future because of the goodness and true leadership of this amazing man, President Barack Obama.
Laurie York [Albion, CA, US]
I was looking for a message from you all day. What a fairy tale, magical and restorative.
I watched from 4 am through the private
moments going to "home" to a place they'd never been before. I watched from home on all the the channels, although I chose NBC for the official program, Tom Brokaw and a knowledgeable historical content and constitutional relevance over Katie or other less connected commentators. My Mother, Husband and for a short while Anya. I had a professor that went so for months we, her students, shared the excitement and anticipation of her trip.
moments going to "home" to a place they'd never been before. I watched from home on all the the channels, although I chose NBC for the official program, Tom Brokaw and a knowledgeable historical content and constitutional relevance over Katie or other less connected commentators. My Mother, Husband and for a short while Anya. I had a professor that went so for months we, her students, shared the excitement and anticipation of her trip.
I to am working on something, probably a letter, to Daddy "B". He'll get a nickname, why not mine? By example he is leading the "family of the world." Through demonstration he is modeling committed love and what it looks like, as a husband, father, friend, leader, and so much more. I would be curious about your inquiry and the attributes and expectations we are assigning to him as a member of our family and community. In a world where years of "Justice Policies" have incarcerated many young men of color, even when they do rejoin society many have not has the benefit of a father's guidance and they don't learn it them selves or how to pass it to the next generation . I anticipate Daddy B will be the missing partner in many homes. Moms, especially single/solo mothers can use the president like Santa Claus, make your bed, go do your home work, you don't get to be president if you don't do your school work, kinda WWJD, what would Obama do?
Rhonda [Seattle, WA, US]I was home. Inside the house. In bed. Watching on Television. I rarely do any of that in the day time. I paused.
I was with Wolfgang and Our Critters. Sadie, Perdu and Lil' Kitty. I was on the Phone Reaching for my Beloved Friends.
After all of my Hero's were Murdered or Died by Rock and Roll Suicide...I feel my generation, out of heartbreak, slowly turned their backs on the brilliant ideals of the 60's to become the World's Greatest Consumers. I feel Cruel Hearted Conservatism had it's hand on the throat of idealism for most of these 40 years.
I feel many of my generation also, quietly, in each of their lives tried to create Beauty and Love.
I feel the African Americans are and have been the Bravest most Forgiving People who have shown us the way to Grass Roots Organizing and
Keeping the Faith.
I Feel We Were All Washed Clean Today! And We Can Once Again Believe In Our Own Light.
Diane [Arlington, TN, US]I worked from home so I could watch his speech on TV which I found to be very moving and very realistic. I took off work early and went to Marina's house where Mary Catherine joined us and we popped a cork and toasted the new president and the departure of Bush!!!!
Then, I joined my wife and other friends at an Obama party at a local restaurant/bar. We partied on and on and it was exhilarating to be in the company of so many Obama supporters, both gay and straight, black and white. Of course, Memphis and Shelby County had a majority vote for Obama, but the rest of the state did not. So, it is nice to be on the cool end of the state!!
Melinda [Memphis, TN, US]
We don't have cable so I watched it on the computer. I was alone but afterwards my mom and I spoke about it on the phone for a long while- the immensity of it. Todd called me from Portland to say it had choked him up. Sylvie watched it at school with her class and they were given cake in celebration.
Melinda [Memphis, TN, US]
We don't have cable so I watched it on the computer. I was alone but afterwards my mom and I spoke about it on the phone for a long while- the immensity of it. Todd called me from Portland to say it had choked him up. Sylvie watched it at school with her class and they were given cake in celebration.
The first thing in the morning when I took the dog out I could sense the collective buzz in the air. It felt very positive. The only feeling I can liken it too is the way it feels on Christmas morning.
Oh and all during the day I kept thinking, "Wow! Would to God Dr. King is watching somewhere."
Paigey, [Everett, WA, US]
Oh and all during the day I kept thinking, "Wow! Would to God Dr. King is watching somewhere."
Paigey, [Everett, WA, US]
where were you?
throughout my lifetime i have heard the following question posed more times than i can recall:
having lived on this planet nearly 52 years, i have my share of these moments.
today, i am asking the question, and this time i have a smile on my face.
- where were you...
having lived on this planet nearly 52 years, i have my share of these moments.
today, i am asking the question, and this time i have a smile on my face.
- where were you during the inauguration of barack obama?
- did you watch the event?
- were you in washington with all those other beautiful people?
- who were you with?
- and what were you feeling?
- please feel free to share any feelings you have about how this historic change is making a difference in your life.
- if you have any photos from your day, please share them, as well.
- and please tell me where you're writing from.
If for some reason you are unable to post here, send an email to bohemian[dot]mian[at]gmail[dot]com
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