I am wistful about the crowds gathered for the Inauguration. There is something about being in a sea of like-minded individuals, each suspending, for a short duration, their individuality to become a greater, larger mind and heart. I've experienced it in our 500 voice high school choir, in a local all-churches performance of the Hallelujah Chorus, at concerts in my youth.

I can't do crowds, at all, anymore. As Steph says, claustrophobic. Just looking at that picture made my mouth dry and my heart hammer. It's a marvelous thing. I wish I could participate, and I envy those who can.

The feeling of celebration is contagious, though. It feels as though the very air sparkles with it. For me personally it's the end of a blighted era and the hope of enlightenment. I can't feel confident about some of Obama's intentions, particularly toward non-traditional marriage, separation of church and state, and women's rights. I hope to be proven wrong. But the fact that the man has brought such light and hope before even the beginning of his term is enough to buy my good will for the time being.

This feels like those breathless hours before Bill took office, that same sort of optimism and giddy relief. It's a wonderful feeling, and everyone experiencing it should breathe deep, take mental note, and remember it. It doesn't happen all that often.

He's always smiling!

I know! I can't decide if he's the adorablest thing ever, or a creepy mofo.

I'm enjoying Leverage a lot, but I sorta think you need the lead-in of the first two episodes to get the team as a whole. The Hardison and Eliot show is my favorite, though the Hardison and Parker show is a close favorite. What? I like Hardison. Aldis Hodge is from NC.

It is hot here at the moment, 70s. They are saying some huge nasty cold front is going to take us down to 40, or lower. North of me there is frost risk. Eeep. I can take it, but I hope it doesn't freeze our citrus. Of course, I hope it is warmer than anticipated in DC. People are going to have to cuddle.

What? I like Hardison.

What what? Are there people who don't like Hardison? How is this possible?

I can't feel confident about some of Obama's intentions, separation of church and state,

I admit I haven't followed Obama's policies/platform as intently as I should, but I think I've really missed something here -- what has he said he wants to do that violates/ignores separation of church and state?

and women's rights.

I'm curious about this, too. He's got a pretty solid record of supporting women's rights, but, again, there's a lot I may have missed in my laxness.

My mother is going to be working one of the first-aid tents for the Inauguration, so she'll be beating the crowds by getting there at 4:30 in the morning to set up. So if anyone there needs first-aid, say hi to my mom!

I'm mostly happy Bush is gone. Obama was my third choice amongst the dems, but the way he dealt with his pastor, that speech on racism turned me around on him. But I do like his centrism even if that means he's not always in agreement with me.

I'm hoping that his pragmatic approach means things like, "Yes, I will reach out to the evangelical right, and yet at the same time I am going to end 'Don't ask don't tell.'"

One of those things is symbolic, and about dialogue. One of things is the practical application of his position.

That he said publically, as a matter of policy, that a woman's reproductive decisions should be between her and her pastor was a huge flashing sign for me, on two of those questions. And he was not outspoken in support of non-traditional marriage. That may have been politic on his part, but I'd like to have heard something that indicated he doesn't plan to toe the line on banning and/or reversing gay marriage.

I understand that some things are downplayed or glossed over during campaigns. I just hope it's his support of women's and GLBT rights, and not his opposition to them, that got downplayed.

Wow, I miss a lot when I'm away for a couple of days.

ImemeN, I am in Iowa! I am eternally grateful for my cool brother and sister, because by the time they got down to Kansas City Friday night, I was in full insane-mode, But, they miraculously fitted everything into his van and my car, while I sat on the floor dithering over the chaos my "organizing" had deteriorated into.

All went well on the drive up, until we got to I-80 between Des Moines and Iowa City. We were driving about 40 mph because we kept passing accidents. Some were from the previous night, but there were several fresh ones with emergency vehichles clustered around. There was one stretch of about a mile that we passed 15 cars and trucks in the ditches!

But, we survived and I am exhausted, but I have a job interview today, so I must dig through the boxes to find my portfolio and some presentable clothes!

Some Buffista job-ma~ would be appreciated!

I forgot to add that I am really excited about the inauguration tomorrow! And if anyone has a link to that concert last night I would appreciate it!

I saw Bono's face briefly on MSNBC before going to bed and he turned up in a dream. Sadly, though I am a real fan of his and the band, in my dream he was kind of a dick. However, Kieth Olberman was very nice...in the dream.

That he said publically, as a matter of policy, that a woman's reproductive decisions should be between her and her pastor was a huge flashing sign for me

What do you mean when you say "as a matter of policy"? Is he planning to introduce legislation that makes abortion rights contingent on a woman talking to her pastor before getting an abortion?

Because I didn't hear him say anything about policy. That statement, in one of the debates, made me wince, but I think he said it because he knows that a majority of the country claims to follow some sort of faith (which ties into the conversation in Bitches), and he wanted to put the lie to the anti-choice image of millions of women geting abortions and not giving a damn about what they were doing. I think he was trying to create an image that it's something that's a serious decision, but has to be a legal option.

But taken as a sign that he's weak on women's rights, or a sign that he wants to further blur the line between church and state? I don't see it. Not at all.