I’ve been absent awhile, but thought I’d write a few notes about the past week so that I don’t forget it.  While the photos and videos won’t be going anywhere (backups!), I fear the raw emotion felt throughout this city will fade in time.

I’ve always been a sucker for parades.  Whether it was my grandfather’s recordings of bagpipes and drums played on full, the countless parades my parents took me to as a wee one, or my affinity for bright and shiny things (haha), heralding trumpets and banners have always claimed a soft spot in my heart.  It goes without saying that the inauguration of a president ranks right up there with the greatest celebrations in the world.

I even went to George W. Bush’s second inauguration, ticket in hand, just to see how it all went down.  I was so torn between thinking “holy crap this is amazing,” and “wtf? I’m actually enjoying this?  BUSH!? COME ON!”  Alas, whoever it may be, the fact that our nation can transfer power without bloodshed or strife is pretty amazing in comparison to the rest of the world.

This week we inaugurated our 44th president, and the pomp didn’t disappoint.  This time, though, the pomp didn’t matter.  What filled me with emotion wasn’t the revelry supplied by lights and banners or the institutional showmanship, however spectacular they may be.  It was the realization that this style of politics that has jaded me throughout my education in high school and college has finally come to an end.

I’m not naïve enough to think that we’re done with partisan bickering or the politicking that has defined American politics throughout our history…in fact it’s nearly a necessary part of our system.  What affected me this Tuesday at noon was the idea – the HOPE – that our new leader will usher in a new tone in Washington, renew the idea of American progress, refocus our efforts on rebuilding the United States as a positive influence in the world and help out our folks at home.  Go, Barack Mr. President.

I was fortunate enough to participate in the inaugural festivities in a few unique ways.  My boss donated an iconic portrait of the campaign to the Smithsonian, we celebrated our firm’s anniversary and the inauguration, we organized an event for a new coalition celebrating diversity and equality in leadership,  partied for Pennsylvania and rocked out at the Lincoln Memorial.

On Inauguration Day, I volunteered with the Presidential Inaugural Committee and was tasked to work press at the morning prayer service at St. John’s Church across from the White House.  When that was done, I moved across the street with the rest of my team of three to the White House where we helped with press at the media reviewing stands for the inaugural parade (video).

Even though I had to be there at 4:30 a.m. in business attire without a warm room in site for 12.5 hours, it was so worth it.  Got front row views of the President-elect and his wife as they rolled into the church, of the parade as it rolled down Pennsylvania Ave and even a little Roker love.

After thawing a bit, I went to the Youth Ball, one of the ten official inaugural balls that night.  We saw Kanye, Kid Rock and the new President and First Lady.  The emotion in that room when they played Hail to the Chief and he walked out….can’t even describe it (video).  Most of the guests in the room had worked on the campaign, some for two years.  This was the night they had been working for, this was the moment they dreamed about when putting in 18 to 20 hour days.  Great feeling.  Miraculously, we waited in zero lines (some “lines” should be ignored), enjoyed good food and drink, got into the ballroom and had a great time.  Apparently, thousands others suffered worse fate and hated the event.  Inviting 7,000 people to a space that only holds 3,000 should have prompted concern.

After the ball, we made a quick costume change and headed out to the much more swank Google Party at the Andrew W. Mellon auditorium on Constitution Ave.  The barricades were still up and trash was everywhere, but the trek was far worth it.  Google knows how to party and seeing many friends and acquaintances on such a spectacular night was a big reward.

I’m still exhausted, and the next day at work wasn’t an easy one.  The whole city is still coming down from the inaugural high.  Seeing the paper each morning is like a dream come true with more and more of the nightmares of the past eight years being slowly scrubbed away.  This could be a very good four years.  Here’s to hoping – and working – for the best.

More pictures, videos and updates available.