It's not over until Dianne Feinstein sings

Some members of my tribe made the journey to Washington, DC to join in the Inauguration craziness there (Tina has lots of photos). Those of us who were left behind managed to celebrate fairly well in our own way I think....

I donned my Inauguration Day Scarf (all 365 rows thank you very much) yesterday morning and Traci and I headed to Eleanor's house for a champagne toast and a little Obama Dance Party.
From there we walked downtown to join some other friends at PCT (the home of Drinking Liberally). My little town was all decked out for the day:
PCT had put out a good buffet spread, but I couldn't eat once the day's most important activity started.

When the master of ceremonies was announced Traci thought they said Singer Dianne Feinstein instead of Senator. We waited and waited hoping she would burst into song.... She never did.

Our new VP took his oath first:


Our new president (He's really the president!!!!!!) ushered in a new era with a sobering, but somehow, joyful speech (or maybe I'm just projecting the joy I was feeling). In PCT (where we booed loudly when Rick Warren was introduced) a cheer went up when Obama gave a shout out to atheists:

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

Look Elly is radiating happiness! (Or maybe I need a new camera....)

And, finally finally, the now jobless George Bush left town. I wonder if he understood why 2 million people were cheering there in DC and if he imagined the celebrating that was happening in homes and bars across the world as that helecopter left the ground?

Back outside, we found more decorations had been put up in the center of town. His sign says, "Will work for food."

Everyone on Main Street was beaming. The sun was shining, we have a new president and, right then, nothing was wrong in the world. We walked around grinning like idiots and resisting the urge to hug strangers.

We wandered over to the radio station to visit Jaz (who was busy spreading the good news across the valley) and pick up our commemorative t-shirts. "The world is changing. Are you listening?"

We were late for the after party at Mama Iguana's and most people had gone. We decided to have a few margarita's anyway...


It still doesn't seem real, but all reports are that he's doing good things already.