The BALL

With the immense Presidential Security convey (something like 25 vehicles including a SWAT Team, Ambulance, something with  a BIG Gun and about 15 big, black SUVs plus the President's car) escorting the President and Mrs. Obama to and from the 10 Official Inaugural Balls, causing the rest of us to figure out all the street closures and our personal getting around! So:  NO cabs. No private cars. Shuttle Buses were provided to the Balls. But the buses couldn't get through either!! So we got off the bus and walked.

Cheryl Crowe entertained us at the Midwest Ball. 

Five hours after the Ball's starting time, the highlight we all were waiting for: The 7.5 minute appearance of The President and Mrs. Obama! 

Like Cinderella our party-time had come to an end and we had to leave the Ball. Cinderella had her pumpkin. We had our green Pedi-Cab and our friendly driver, Andrew 

The BIG Day

It was a BIG -and long-day. We left our hotel at 8 am and with only a short stop to change for The Ball, we didn't return until after 1AM. 

We planned on watching the swearing in from the Jones Day rooftop terrace located on the side of the Capitol where there was either a security breacch or a water main break (we heard both!) In any case the result was we were stuck on 1st street with thousands of other people...going nowhere. After about an hour of not moving, we made "our escape" and found our way to Jones Day. But since the entrance gates closed at 11.30 am--thousands of ticket holders at the purple gate never got in. 

Look at all the people on the surrounding rooftops!

The Sharpshooters were everywhere.

While we perched atop Jones Day roof top garden,  Aaron and Rebecca took part in the standing crowd and later joined us.

The crowd greeted introduction of GW Bush with a loud and long "boo".

While you watch this video, you will clearly hear the feelings of the crowd!! 

Next: The Ball

Photos

As you might guess, having Howard along on this adventure has allowed me to not only actually BE in the photos, but to have a LOTTA photos to share. So here, in no particular order is the first installment.....

Waiting on line at the Russell Senate Office Building where I collected my two inaugural swearing-in tickets from Senator Sherrod Brown's office.

At Hillary Clinton's Brunch we met:

Former Governor of California Gray Davis w/ Howard

President Bill CLinton w/ Howard

Me in front a huge Hillary-postered wall

Arron Price Chatting up Hillary?

Lots of security--every where

A few of the over 5000 port-o-potties

The Entire OSU Marching Band playing INSIDE the Mayflower Hotel. You think this band is loud outside in their stadium, try standing next to one of the tuba's INSIDE a building!!

Washington Monument 

Rebecca and Arron on the Mall w/ Lincoln Memorial waaay in the back!

People, Power and Promise

If you have been watching any TV, you already have seen the impressive crowds and the inspiring monuments neither of which require any more amplification. But in spite of all the talking heads talk, the energy and excitement is so indescribable. Cynics may say the "love in the air will soon be replaced by the old acrimony", but if our new young President has anything to say, I doubt it.

Standing in the crowd during yesterday's fee Lincoln Memorial concert, it was hard not to strike up conversation with a fellow American. The talk was not only about the size of the crowd but the cheerfulness and pleasantness of the people. We decided that we people have been starved for smart, powerful leaders, and we are all just in awe (and holding our breath) with the possibilities of promise.

Last night at Ohio's Ball, over 900 people partied at the Mayflower Hotel. When the ENTIRE Ohio State University Marching Band-all 225 of them dressed in full uniform-marched into the ballroom, there were plenty of surprised faces and dropped jaws as the world's largest brass and percussion band entertained the crowd for 30 minutes! Watch for OSU Band marching in tomorrow's inaugural parade. Seen in the crowd were two of  the Democratic wannabe Senatorial candidates: Lee Fisher and Tim Ryan. (Last week, Ohio's Senator George Voinovich announced he will not run for re-election-leaving an open seat to attract a lot of attention) Lots of speculation...

Sadly Sherrod Brown, our great US Senator, was detained back home in Ohio, as his mom is not well. We wish her well.  Ohio's Governor Ted Strickland: Missing. Ted, Where were you?

Pictures will be posted later.

Quick Update

A quick update for my faithful readers. More details and more pictures later.

After a short 6 hour drive, we arrived in DC and encountered: NO problem. (you know how the weather people always scare us when potential bad weather is on the way? Well, same with this celebration! Not bad. We are so happy to be part of this!)

The city is giddy. Buildings are decorated for the celebration. Streets closed. Music blaring. Just a really huge party

Howard, Aaron, Rebecca and I went to the Convention Center to pick up our Midwest Ball Tickets

 and then spent the remainder of the afternoon on the Mall watching people (lots of them!) and listening to the concert: We are the One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. It was great. People dancing, singing cheering, carrying on. Then when Obama started to  speak: SILENCE. Awesome.

 

Now, I'm rushing to change into some party clothes (yes! flat shoes!) to go the Ohio's Celebration.

Stay tuned

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far away from home without laptop access...just me & my Treo...will this really post?

Gotta get going.

We are like little kids: Glued to the TV. Mesmerized by the new President:  The 1000 watt smile. The throaty chuckle. The eagerness to meet and greet the crowd.

I recommend Peggy Noonan's column in today's Wall Street Journal where she says: "It's good to put [previous disappointments] aside for a few days, to remove yourself from politics, partisanship and faction, to suspend your disbelief, to be grateful that the signs and symbols endure, as does the republic, and raise a toast: "To the president of the United States."   Imagine me quoting Peggy Noonan!

About an hour ago, we decided that instead of leaving in the morning, we'd leave tonight... can't wait to get to the party!

So, after this evening's date with some friends, we'll pack the car and drive to DC! 

It's going to be amazing --- starting with sunrise over the Potomac!

Invites and Tickets

Just in case you wanted a peek, here is my Official Inauguration Invitation. Ok. Full disclosure: This is my commemorative invitation but it is engraved and it is cool! and I received TWO of them! 

Lots of flurry now around tickets. Today I received a message from the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) stating that if you were planning on picking up your Inaugural Ball tickets today, please don't. That due to overwhelming ticket demand and a printing problem, today's scheduled ticket pick-up at the Washington Convention Center has been postponed 'til tomorrow...like you are already in the endless line waiting to pick-up your treasured and precious and $$$ tickets, and you get the email saying "don't come today"....OMG

For my long time readers, you know I I hate those endless lines.....and this time: no "delegate passes" to jump the line. 

And what could have happened to have a PRINTING PROBLEM??? Yikes....is the Government so busy printing the the bailout money that the printing presses couldn't accommodate the printing of Inaugural Ball tickets?!! Hmmmm.....

Weather note: For my warm weather readers, today in Cleveland the current temperature 1 (feels like -19). Really.

Serious Planning. Serious GuanXi

You may recall from an earlier post the term "GuanXi"-the Chinese term for "relationship". Well, we may not be Chinese, but in many of our daily lives, we all depend and cultivate "GuanXi" (google GuanXi and you'll get the full definition-then decide if you do or not have your own "GuanXi" strategies!

So as I plan my Inaugural Adventure, I certainly am depending on GuanXi to smooth the way--more on this in a later post.

A big factor in keeping this adventure in the manageable category is 1) the weather and 2) being able to walk to my destination. 

1) THE WEATHER: Forecast, so  far, is glorious! 

2) LOCATION LOCATION: Our hotel is at Dupont Circle. Not short - but a doable walk to Senator Sherrod Brown's Office at the Russell Senate Office Building where will go to pick up (with my photo ID) my two standing Swearing-in Tickets). Also, the hotel is walkable to Capitol Hill where, obviously, The Swearing-In will occur. If you want to read all the pieces and parts of the Inaugural do's and don'ts, I refer you to the fascinating (Check out the maps) and detailed government website: http://inaugural.senate.gov/

Now for the SERIOUS Stuff

What to wear? The big concern-as mentioned above-is the walking and walking and walking. So while I'd love to be glamourous in a pair if wicked heels, I don't think it's reasonable. Some people are suggesting that we wear flat shoes and carry the nice shoes, but I think the parties are going to be CROWDED with lots of security check-points so carrying anything extra may be a big hassle. So... flat shoes it is.If I change my mind, I'll be sure to tell you! 

As for the dress?  Just between you and me: I have a dress from a long time ago and I am thrilled to report that it is still fashionable and more important: STILL fits :)  (thank you Terri Bahr!) If Vanity Fair interviews me about my gown, I will be proud to say I am respecting the current economic situation.

BONUS stuff: Howard will be joining me on this adventure-as will Rebecca and Aaron. And as you may know, Howard and Aaron are avid photographers and what a photo-op this will be. So I am excited to soon be able to share some great photos with you.

Mrs. Levine goes to Washington

It's Official! I'm going to The Inauguration. Or as it's called at our house: the BIG DAY!

I thought I could stay away. With the news media's best hype and scare tactics: 3 million people in DC. No bridge traffic. High security. No hotel rooms. All those "nos" and yet..as December turned into January, my aversion turned into affection; my phobia turned into love. While I adventured in Denver with my pal Lana, this adventure I'll have Howard and Rebecca and Aaron-who will be freshly returned to the USA from 10 months in Shangai, China. 

So ....stay tuned.