No, I'll be at work in LA - but a restaurant nearby is planning to celebrate all day and I may slip over to watch the swearing in with other people.

no. I just moved from DC last November--wish I was still there for this!

I am heading up tomorrow to enjoy it with three of my very best friends/

What a waste of money.

Sure the inauguration is exciting, but I want to know what Sarah Palin is up to.

I'm already in the Washington Metro Area. But, I don't know if I'll brave the crowds and head into D.C..

Please be nice to my city while you're here and try to remember that people actually live and work here. Also, please please please stand to the right.

I had to go downtown yesterday (I have been trying not to leave my house on Capitol Hill during this madness) and I have never seen so many PortaPotties in one place in my life. However, when I got home, the Post said that there is only 1 for every 6,000 estimated attendees. Makes me glad I'll be at home in front of my fire with my dog and a bottle of bourbon - and my own bathroom!

Nope

Oooh Lilblu, I would think you'll be sorry if you don't go! I'd give anything to be there.

I wish but I have finals for my first semester classes. Only 1 final that day but I still won't be able to make it down in time

They probably don't allow foreigners

Fortunately, I will be able to watch from the comfort of my own home.

I was tryna go to Washington but I will not be able to. I will be in Spanish class from 10:30 and I will be leaving class at about 11:30 whether he dismisses class or not.

Amen to that HaterTot. I live in DC but I'm staying put.. it's cold out there!

Porta potties are so important.
Hmm, I wonder if there is an issue with them if the temps are below freezing.

I live in DC and will definitely be participating! It's going to be a crazy few days but I'd kick myself if I didn't at least try to get downtown into the parade route.

Have a great time Pop!

Stephley, I live in LA too. I may go to Culver City to celebrate, Obama's LA office is there. The LA times has also listed a lot of places to go for dinner and wine specials to mark this event...

I live in DC and I will be down on th Mall participating in the Inaguration festivities!!! Parade here I come...

*Inauguration

Those who are going, have fun. I'll be at work.

I wouldn't be able to stand the crowds anyway.

Are any of you going to the concert on Sunday? Or one the many inaugural balls?
Steph it's so cold here and the city will be packed. The bridges will be closed and all the smart people will take Metro. So it will be packed. But I still might make the trek.

Metro is telling people to walk.

I had considered the concert on Sunday, but was afraid that I'd somehow get stuck in a crowd and not be able to see the game at 6:30, which is wholly unacceptable. Football wins over Bono and Bruce.

Everyone I know is hitting the official balls. I sold my tix. I've done the official (and unofficial) ball circuits in years past, and Obama wasn't my candidate. Besides, they really aren't that fun. Cash bar, on your feet all night in heels, freezing cold... pass, thanks.

i only wish

Oh i cannot stand crowds, and live nowhere near DC. But most likely will not be watching either, since I will be at work and 8:30 is a little early for lunch time.

No not going. Some of my aunts are going. But I do not even plan on watching the event on tv.

I will be out roller skating.

I live in the area and work downtown - I echo the sentiments of Hatertot "please be nice to my city" and "stand to the right" on Metro escalators. I missed my train on Friday morning because tourists didn't know that rule and blocked my way! There were delays on the red line and the next train didn't come for 25 minutes!

Anyway, I have tickets to the bleacher seats on the Parade route at Freedom Plaza so I will be bundling up and braving the crowds. I may have an extra one CitizenSugar so let me know if you want to join me!

I'm debating if I should go... On one hand, historic event, on the other, no tickets, huge crowds, and cold weather...

If CitizenSugar doesnt need your ticket Starlotus713, I'll gladly take it off your hands. Haha.

Not only am I not going to the inauguration, I am not watching it and am avoiding it and anyone crazy enough to be excited about it. Sure it's history but it's also pathetic. It's a big show at how shallow the American public is. This is something to be ashamed of, not proud of.

kh61582, what is there to be ashamed of? My pastor spoke this morning about his father watching Dr. King give the I Have A Dream Speech. Tuesday his father will watch King's dream being realized. It is a time of excitement and pride for many Americans.

We should all be ashamed of democracy. It's shallow and disgusting.

And yes, everyone who disagrees with your politics is also crazy! You forgot to mention stupid though.

Why should one be ashamed of America at this moment in time!?! And what is so pathetic about democracy!?! Why is it shallow to celebrate such a historical moment!?! I am bewildered at such a statements!

yeeeee ouch! thats a crazy comment!

I'm not particularly happy because he wasnt my pick, but I respect it for its place in history and what it means to some people. And he is our new commander in chief so he deserves to be treated with respect.

I leave in a couple of hours and I can't wait. I hate crowds, but this is worth it!

I wish I could be there, or at least watch it from the comfort of my home. I don't think there are any TVs in my office, and watching streaming video is forbidden, so I'll have to record the ceremony and watch it when I get home from work.

kh61582 what a horrible comment.

I understand your bitter because your candidate didn't win but it's not right to say things like that.

I hope the people who are going will have fun and take pictures!!

I was just telling my hubby that if we didn't have kids we'd totally be there!

I don't think it is about her candidate not winning. I have heard many say that, although a historic moment, some feel as though it shouldn't be celebrated because that still shows that color does matter. I really don't understand all of the hoopla surrounding it and wish that Obama would have kept it small for the economy sake and environment sake. He should have set an example that now is not the time to party, we have a lot of work to do for our economy. And as long as people have enough money to travel thousands of miles and pay exorbitant prices to stay and play in DC, I really don't care to hear the woes about the economy, from people, or from Obama. With that said, I hope anyone going there has a great time, stays safe, and hopefully the extravagance of this transition of powers does not negatively affect our economy.

It's a logical fallacy to assume that just because a few million people can travel long distances that no one can complain about the economy. Let's say that 4 million people attend and that are 250 million in the United States. What about the other 246 million?

And as for setting an example, I don't think it would have been a popular move to be the first president to cancel the inauguration and parties due to the economy. Obama and company fundraised to pay for it and if people are willing ot put their money towards it, what business is it of anyone else's?

And finally, also in re: to setting an example. I think it's fantastic that he's encouraging everyone who has the day off tomorrow (or not) to volunteer in their community.

Anyway, obviously not everyone is excited about his impending presidency and that's fine. And you don't have to understand what it's important to everyone else. I guess it's just interesting that people can't see what this might mean to blacks in the US. It sort of shows a lack of ability to empathize with others, imo.

why it's important, not "what". Oops.

Well said, Pop.

"Sure it's history but it's also pathetic. It's a big show at how shallow the American public is. This is something to be ashamed of, not proud of."

I think that's a ridiculous statement. And since I'm too tired to formulate a good retort, I'll just agree with Pop.

It's just so shallow of the American people to care about such a momentous event in our nation's history. Yeah, I totally get that.

Pop:

First of all, I never said cancel all of the inauguration festivities. But Clinton on used 30 million on his. Obamas will be costing around 145 mil. And No not only donations foot the bill for that. Congress had already approved 15 mil for increased security measures, due to crowds. And Bush declared a state of emergency in Washington so they can free up more money since it is not just balls and the actual inauguration. So many events and they need a lot more security. It is overboard. That's what I meant by hoopla.
And I am sorry, the difference of $145 mil and 30 mil is staggering. It could have made a huge difference in a lot of peoples lives. I am just saying, I would have been rather impressed if he did the fund raising and said that half of what he raised would be going to people who have been laid off or foreclosed on.
My thing is this, as a government, Obama thinks we should share the wealth, right? I really have a hard time seeing how some one can accept so much praise towards himself and be slathered with events etc at this moment in time.
And I think it is awesome he is trying to get people to volunteer today. Thank you Barack.

It's not like Obama is just burning up the money that was spent on the inauguration. He's helping to support police officers and security personnel. He's helping to support the guys who transport and rent all those porta-potties. He's helping to support the people who make and sell balloons and fireworks. He's supporting the people that install and operate all those jumbo screens on the mall. He's helping to stimulate economy by putting people to work, however temporary that work may be.

I hate it when people just classify spending as inappropriate in a tough economy. If no one spends any money on anything, then no one will have jobs any more. Jeez.

The word "balls" always makes me laugh. Just sayin'.

ksc, I wonder what you would have said or what you did say 4 years ago when people were bashing Bush for the same thing and there was no recession then. What about 8 years ago? Why the media bias?

Hainan57, it's simple: 4 million people weren't showing up to watch Bush sworn in. With such large attendance, the PIC needs to spend a greater amount of money to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly, and is organized and secured down to every minute detail. It's proportional.

Good point City Girl.