How close was I ?

I was just looking at a map and just realized something. They say that there were about 2 million people on the National Mall for the inauguration. There were only 22 thousands chairs for the really special people. Then the handicap section behind them. That means that I had a better vantage point than 1,977,999 people. Thats in the 99 percentile.

Inaugural ball - what they don't tell you.

I was a bit naive but I assumed that a ball would be a formal event. I figured it would be this elegant night where you would mix and mingle with invited VIP's. I imagined tables full of food I don't eat like patte and shrimp cocktail. Maybe even a Rudy's cheese and cracker tray (some of you will get that, most will not)

The Youth ball turned out to be a concert !! You stand outside for HOURS in the cold which wasn't a problem earlier in the day but for some reaosn was a huge deal tonight. Once you get inside, you get this cavity search by the good people in the Secret Service. The good news is they found out I don't have colon cancer. Then you make your way into this concert populated by fetuses who know what a "Jonas brother" is (or does - I still can't tell you). I didn't get to meet the President as I hoped I would. As it turns out he stopped by for all of a few minutes, gave a speech and left. The rest of the event was a concert with music by people I don't know. Good job MTV for ruining my night.

Trading places

I met this guy in line at Starbucks yesterday morning. He attended a local private school and you could tell he was one of the "haves" - nice clothes, smelled of his mothers milk and he was wearing Louis Viuton sneakers. He told me about how he started by paying $675 for a ticket to the Youth Ball and then how he traded that for 2 good seats at the swearing in ceramony. ( to someone who cared more about seeing Kanye West than being at the swearing in)He then sold one of those seats for $600 (a reasonable price to be that close) which he used to buy a $500 ticket to the Youth Ball. In the end, he ended up with a great seat the swearing in ceramony AND a ticket to the Youth Ball.

The network went down do I couldn't do the blow by blow that I wanted to. So here is a recap from the last update. Luck was on my side all day. I lucked into tickets to the ball and to the swearing in. While in line for security, an older woman in a wheelchair and her daughther (both older) needed help pushing her mother. I gladly volunteered because it got me through security faster. Turns out the handicap section is right in front of the barricades. I wheel grandma up to the elevated handicap platform. I then take my place in the "care taker" section along the front barricade. Lucky ! I was about 300 yards away from the front of the capital and could see the President and Vice President clearly. The monitors did help because although I could see, the people looked like Lego people. The energy was amazing. Lots of celebrities in our section (Mariah Carey had her back to me).

Scored a prime spot.I helped a lady in a wheelchair - they then let me stay in this awesome spot. This cannot be beat.I can see peoples faces from here.

Its freezing but we're finally getting through security.I have a great spot in line! Snipers are everywhere.My toes don't work anymore.

The chant for no line cutting has started. Its awesome. We're a family.Very jovial but loud.

First Starbucks run !

I'm here at the purple gate.The traffic and security is amazing. You have to go twenty blocks in one direction to go 1 block in another. Meeting lots of differnt interesting people.The guys in front of me worked on the campaign and speak mandarin.

Test. I need to see if I can blog from the blackberry - apparently, I can !!

It's 0330 and I've just woken up. I'm beat but I can be tired on another day. Today is my chance to be a part of history. Ticket - check. Cell phone -check.