Inauguration
So I know most other 20-something college-age liberals are looking forward to Obama's inauguration this Tuesday. I am not. Or I am, in the sense that THE DC AREA WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL ONCE IT'S OVER. It's going to be such a huge hassle for those of us who live here.
I actually considered, back around when Obama first got elected, going to the inauguration. I mean, I live right here and I've never been to one before, not to mention the inauguration of the first African-American president is super historic and something to tell my grandkids about. Also this is the first time that the guy I voted for actually won, so that's something too.
But then I though about what a HUMONGOUS hassle this whole thing was going to be, and how packed it would be and how annoying it would be to get into the District on that day. Also it would involve standing outside for long periods of time. In DC. In the middle of January.
The closer we get to the actual event the happier and happier I am that I decided not to go.
First of all, the emergency plan. What they've decided to do if heaven forbid Something Happens and they need to evacuate everyone is to have the huge crowd walk across the bridges into Virginia because nothing bad ever happens in Virginia. This isn't such a bad idea in that it's a pretty walkable distance from the National Mall/Capitol area where most of the people are going to be to at least two of the bridges that go into Virginia nevermind that one of them lets out like a block from the Pentagon. This means, however, that on Inauguration day ALL THE BRIDGES FROM VA TO THE DISTRICT ARE GOING TO BE CLOSED. Which means that unless you take the Metro (which is going to be clogged beyond belief) it'll be literally impossible to go from Virginia into Washington. So if you live in Virginia and want to go to the inauguration, or if you live in Virginia and work in DC, or if you live in DC and work in Virginia, or if you live in Virginia and are volunteering to help during the inauguration, you're screwed unless you take the Metro. The Metro's a good subway system in my opinion, but it's not always the most efficient or user-friendly system to people who don't know what they're doing (just the thought of all the poor out-of-town schmucks trying to work those ticket machines... >.<; ) So parking at the Metro stations, which regularly fills up just on normal work days with people headed into DC, is going to be completely out of control; which is just great for those Virginians who (like us) live within blocks of a Metro station.
Also we have to hope that the terrorists or whoever don't realize this Cunning Plan That Has Been In The Paper For Weeks and decide they want to try something with the bridges. Also that Mr. and Mrs. Joe Out-Of-Towner do know the Plan and where they should go (though in theory there should be people there to help with that).
Luckily most businesses in the area are giving their workers the day off, because the whole region is going to be COMPLETELY FUCKING INSANE. Mom's got Tuesday off even though she doesn't even work in DC, and I'm not sure about Dad because he doesn't really have a Real Job anyway.
Also there are all these ceremonies and a concert and whatnot going on for days before the inauguration, just to further inconvenience us locals.
Another reason not to want to go: According to weather.com, on Tuesday there's going to be a high of 31°F in DC. Also the Mall, where I think most people are going to be gathering, is notoriously low on bathrooms. The Inaugural Committee hired something like 7000 porta-potties (the most for any event EVER in DC), but still, the point remains: going to this event is historic, but it ain't going to be much fun.
In conclusion: I'm not even going to leave the house on Tuesday if I can help it. Also, !@#$ YOU, TOURISTS! D<
At least this bullshit only happens once every four years. And I keep reminding myself that at least we're going to have a new president at the end of it. I can't wait for it to be over, though ><
In somewhat cooler news: If you're going to be in the area on Wednesday (the day after the inauguration), you can sign up for a chance to go to a White House open house and meet the Obamas. I mean, the chance of your name getting pulled is pretty astronomically low but it doesn't hurt to try ;)
I actually considered, back around when Obama first got elected, going to the inauguration. I mean, I live right here and I've never been to one before, not to mention the inauguration of the first African-American president is super historic and something to tell my grandkids about. Also this is the first time that the guy I voted for actually won, so that's something too.
But then I though about what a HUMONGOUS hassle this whole thing was going to be, and how packed it would be and how annoying it would be to get into the District on that day. Also it would involve standing outside for long periods of time. In DC. In the middle of January.
The closer we get to the actual event the happier and happier I am that I decided not to go.
First of all, the emergency plan. What they've decided to do if heaven forbid Something Happens and they need to evacuate everyone is to have the huge crowd walk across the bridges into Virginia because nothing bad ever happens in Virginia. This isn't such a bad idea in that it's a pretty walkable distance from the National Mall/Capitol area where most of the people are going to be to at least two of the bridges that go into Virginia nevermind that one of them lets out like a block from the Pentagon. This means, however, that on Inauguration day ALL THE BRIDGES FROM VA TO THE DISTRICT ARE GOING TO BE CLOSED. Which means that unless you take the Metro (which is going to be clogged beyond belief) it'll be literally impossible to go from Virginia into Washington. So if you live in Virginia and want to go to the inauguration, or if you live in Virginia and work in DC, or if you live in DC and work in Virginia, or if you live in Virginia and are volunteering to help during the inauguration, you're screwed unless you take the Metro. The Metro's a good subway system in my opinion, but it's not always the most efficient or user-friendly system to people who don't know what they're doing (just the thought of all the poor out-of-town schmucks trying to work those ticket machines... >.<; ) So parking at the Metro stations, which regularly fills up just on normal work days with people headed into DC, is going to be completely out of control; which is just great for those Virginians who (like us) live within blocks of a Metro station.
Also we have to hope that the terrorists or whoever don't realize this Cunning Plan That Has Been In The Paper For Weeks and decide they want to try something with the bridges. Also that Mr. and Mrs. Joe Out-Of-Towner do know the Plan and where they should go (though in theory there should be people there to help with that).
Luckily most businesses in the area are giving their workers the day off, because the whole region is going to be COMPLETELY FUCKING INSANE. Mom's got Tuesday off even though she doesn't even work in DC, and I'm not sure about Dad because he doesn't really have a Real Job anyway.
Also there are all these ceremonies and a concert and whatnot going on for days before the inauguration, just to further inconvenience us locals.
Another reason not to want to go: According to weather.com, on Tuesday there's going to be a high of 31°F in DC. Also the Mall, where I think most people are going to be gathering, is notoriously low on bathrooms. The Inaugural Committee hired something like 7000 porta-potties (the most for any event EVER in DC), but still, the point remains: going to this event is historic, but it ain't going to be much fun.
In conclusion: I'm not even going to leave the house on Tuesday if I can help it. Also, !@#$ YOU, TOURISTS! D<
At least this bullshit only happens once every four years. And I keep reminding myself that at least we're going to have a new president at the end of it. I can't wait for it to be over, though ><
In somewhat cooler news: If you're going to be in the area on Wednesday (the day after the inauguration), you can sign up for a chance to go to a White House open house and meet the Obamas. I mean, the chance of your name getting pulled is pretty astronomically low but it doesn't hurt to try ;)