That's wonderful, Nilly.

That is an excellent day-ender indeed, Nilly.

Thanks for the links to the Malia/Sasha slide shows, and am so amused that Malia was taking pictures for a class project. (And in one of the few Inaugural moments I caught live, Biden was taking a picture for her.

Nilly, that is fantastic news!

in one of the few Inaugural moments I caught live, Biden was taking a picture for her

One of the things I appreciate about the new administration is that it strikes me that the two families are good friends. Heck, it almost seems like the Biden family has been sort of folded into the Obama family.

That was hilarious, Strega.

Good news, Nilly!

I still have only seen highlights of the actual inauguration, but a couple of points:

For a country big on the separation of church and state, there were a lot of prayers and preachers. (I couldn't even tell you what religion our PM is.)

My Country Tis of Thee is a total rip off of God Save the Queen, the British Nat'l anthem. There are a kabillion Patriotic US songs, you think you could step off on that one? Also, as the Daily Show highlighted, Aretha Franklin had some unfortunate phrasing in that song. You really don't want to take a breath in the middle of the word "country."

Thirdly, our local news had kids from a local black community talking about the inauguration, and it was so cute and touching to hear a few of them say, they had been waiting their whole lives for something like this. And I saw a bunch of people (even Beyonce) say that Obama made them want to be a better person. I hope everyone keeps that in their hearts.

Strega, that's awesome.

That was fun, Strega.

There was some discussion about the quantity of prayer in the inauguration, more than previous ceremonies. The conjecture being that the President and the Democrats are reclaiming God as being as much on their side as the Republicans.

My Country Tis of Thee is a total rip off of God Save the Queen, the British Nat'l anthem.

Aims commented on that too. I called her a Royalist and reminded her that her side lost. In the 18th century.

She hit me.

I loved the speech (yes, we watched live at home...Em missed it being sick and napping) but, being me, I couldn't help cracking wise. In my head parts of it went like this:

President Obama: Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some...

George W. Bush: Dude. Sitting right here!

...

President Obama: On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

George W. Bush: RIGHT HERE!

...

President Obama: ...Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day

George W. Bush: Okay, now you're being kind of a dick.

And I kinda loved the whole "leaving of the ex-president" bit. Again, I show you how it went in my head, even though we couldn't hear what was actually being said:

George W. Bush: "...you don't think I'd ask for a twelve inch pianist, do you?" Hah! Get it?

President Obama: Yeah, no, that was great. Now, you're sure you didn't leave anything behind, right?

George W. Bush: I'm sure. Sheesh. You're kinda pushy.

And as the helicopter lifted off and flew away...

Michelle Obama: God. What a douchenozzle.

President Obama: Word.

(Terrorist fist bump)

From America's Finest News Source: Obama Inauguration Speech Ruined By Incessant Jackhammering

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama's Inauguration Day address—a speech that many believed would jumpstart the healing process of an ailing nation, foster hope and goodwill across the world, and serve as the ultimate stamp on the Democrat's historic win—was ruined Tuesday by nearly two hours of nonstop jackhammering.

According to D.C. officials, the jackhammering interrupted the landmark address on 30 separate occasions and came from the nearby U.S. Botanic Garden, where it was being used to break up pavement for a new Heroes of Horticulture exhibit.

I so wanna see the Heroes of Horticulture exhibit. It's about time we memorialized the brave horticulturists who gave their lives to defend the American way of growing things.

But this is a better article: Vice Presidential Handlers Lure Cheney Into Traveling Crate

WASHINGTON—A team of nine specially trained handlers have successfully lured outgoing vice president Dick Cheney into a reinforced steel traveling crate in order to transport him back to his permanent enclosure in Casper, WY, official sources reported Monday. "He's a smart one. Once he sees the crate, he gets pretty nippy, but we've learned a few tricks over the years," chief VP wrangler Ted Irving breathlessly said while applying pressure to a deep gash on his forearm. "If we break a rabbit's legs and throw it in there, he will eventually go in to finish it off. Doesn't work with dead rabbits, though. Cheney only eats what he kills." Irving said that the latest vice presidential relocation went much more smoothly than September's diplomatic trip to Georgia, which was delayed for several hours after Cheney mauled three secret service agents and escaped inside the White House walls.