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. Read more →