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Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
So Close...
Here's the story of our trip to Washington DC for the Inauguration,
We board the plane to seats 4d and 4e. There are people in our seats, so we sat in 4a and 4b. The flight was packed and we were among the last to board. I soon realized from previous flights into Reagan National that we were now on the side that would get a view of the monuments and the Capitol. We watched the Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial during the flight and I captured pictures about an hour after it ended as we landed. I was glad that we didn't ask for our correct seats!
Monday morning we're off to a leisurely start with breakfast at Denny's.
How prophetic the headline in USA Today!
After making our way to the home of Bev Terrell who graciously hosted us, we headed over to Howard University for the Refresh the World series of symposiums hosted by Spike Lee. Click on the link to see the complete list of moderators and panelists.
The first was "Refresh Gender". The panel included Bay Buchanan, Hillary Rosen, and Rosario Dawson among others.
After a short break, "Refresh Hip Hop" took place with Queen Latifah, Ludicris, and Sean Combs, among others.
During the break, Spike Lee had the Homecoming Queen of Howard University and her court display these signs which represent this historic time in history: Before, During, and After Barrack.
Then it was time for the highlight of the day, the "Refreshing Black America" panel moderated by Roland Martin. Traffic was terrible around the city, so the panel assembled over the course of 20 minutes or so. Tara Wall, Dr Henry Louis Gates, Jesse Jackson, Donna Brazile, Amy Holmes, and Rev Al Sharpton provided a lively discussion that was broadcast live on CNN.
Dr Gates and Donna Brazile dancing for the crowd
Pat and Bev
Here's a quick shot of Ben's Chili Bowl. The line stretched around the block, and it was close to midnight!
It's about 5:00 am the morning of the Inauguration. I grew up on the east coast, and spend many days in DC during the winter. I forgot how cold "cold" is! Give me winter in Denver any day! We were dressed for it, but it was still cold!
Union Station
Another piece of prophecy; the stop sign
Glad to see that Frederick Douglass and a member of the Buffalo Soldiers decided to make the trip!
Waiting for the gates to open
Still waiting!
As big as the crowd was, my wife Pat, heard a familiar voice talking on a cell phone, and it was her cousin that made the trip from Atlanta. What a coincidence!
No comment needed
After waiting almost 3 hours to get through security, this is as far as we got. The Secret Service shut down access across Pennsylvania Avenue, and we couldn't get over to the Mall. We waited until 10:30 hoping that they would allow access, then made the decision to head back to the house and watch it on TV. The one consulation, it was warm!
We did attend a ball that evening that was really nice. I didn't take my camera, and there weren't any celebreties in attendance. The food and the band were excellent, and we had a lot of fun.
So, as the headline said, "Just the feeling of being here!"
We board the plane to seats 4d and 4e. There are people in our seats, so we sat in 4a and 4b. The flight was packed and we were among the last to board. I soon realized from previous flights into Reagan National that we were now on the side that would get a view of the monuments and the Capitol. We watched the Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial during the flight and I captured pictures about an hour after it ended as we landed. I was glad that we didn't ask for our correct seats!
Monday morning we're off to a leisurely start with breakfast at Denny's.
How prophetic the headline in USA Today!
After making our way to the home of Bev Terrell who graciously hosted us, we headed over to Howard University for the Refresh the World series of symposiums hosted by Spike Lee. Click on the link to see the complete list of moderators and panelists.
The first was "Refresh Gender". The panel included Bay Buchanan, Hillary Rosen, and Rosario Dawson among others. 
After a short break, "Refresh Hip Hop" took place with Queen Latifah, Ludicris, and Sean Combs, among others.
During the break, Spike Lee had the Homecoming Queen of Howard University and her court display these signs which represent this historic time in history: Before, During, and After Barrack.
Then it was time for the highlight of the day, the "Refreshing Black America" panel moderated by Roland Martin. Traffic was terrible around the city, so the panel assembled over the course of 20 minutes or so. Tara Wall, Dr Henry Louis Gates, Jesse Jackson, Donna Brazile, Amy Holmes, and Rev Al Sharpton provided a lively discussion that was broadcast live on CNN.
Dr Gates and Donna Brazile dancing for the crowd
Pat and Bev
Here's a quick shot of Ben's Chili Bowl. The line stretched around the block, and it was close to midnight!
It's about 5:00 am the morning of the Inauguration. I grew up on the east coast, and spend many days in DC during the winter. I forgot how cold "cold" is! Give me winter in Denver any day! We were dressed for it, but it was still cold!
Union Station
Another piece of prophecy; the stop sign
Glad to see that Frederick Douglass and a member of the Buffalo Soldiers decided to make the trip!
Waiting for the gates to open
Still waiting!
As big as the crowd was, my wife Pat, heard a familiar voice talking on a cell phone, and it was her cousin that made the trip from Atlanta. What a coincidence!
No comment needed
After waiting almost 3 hours to get through security, this is as far as we got. The Secret Service shut down access across Pennsylvania Avenue, and we couldn't get over to the Mall. We waited until 10:30 hoping that they would allow access, then made the decision to head back to the house and watch it on TV. The one consulation, it was warm!
We did attend a ball that evening that was really nice. I didn't take my camera, and there weren't any celebreties in attendance. The food and the band were excellent, and we had a lot of fun. So, as the headline said, "Just the feeling of being here!"
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