Megan Boyle’s Blog

From our perch above the parade, our family took a last glimpse of the White House and the Inaugural festivities. We lingered until the time Mr. Obama was steps from his new home, special blue flooring rolled out on the White House lawn to usher him to the front door. Where he once had a front porch in a Hyde Park, he now has a “portico” and a sentry. How things have changed.

Our Inaugural adventure was coming to an end. A quick walk through the still buzzing streets of DC to our hotel let us grab the 18 bags for the 10 of us (held at valet) and rush to the airport. As we departed, the Renaissance Hotel lobby was filling up for yet another ball. The evenings’ events were innumerable, with the highlight being the designated Presidential Balls. It would be another night to remember.

For us, though, it was time to go. Reality had set in. The high school kids only had a one day pass from final exams and frankly, I would have needed a lot of caffeine to jump into another ball gown and give it another go. Logistically, you might need the Presidential motorcade to make it to all the important functions of the weekend. Some of our fellow lunch guests, one a former Ambassador, was already in his tuxedo at 10 am to logistically cover the Inauguration, the parade and the ball.

A few folks we met got squeezed by the impossible timeline. One had tickets to a ball, but was turned away by security late in the evening due to the overflowing crowds. So many had come, and they just didn’t want to leave, (there were separate dinner and dance only tickets). Another person we met, with reserved seats for the Inauguration, never got through the long security line to be admitted. A third person said they had to wave their VIP tickets in the air to catch security’s attention and be admitted.

The road to the Inauguration is not always smooth, so hold on to these tips for 2013. My blog has hooked you, right? You are booking your room and airline tickets as we speak!

Today would be a zoo to return to Chicago, but last night was a breeze. We had plenty of time to stuff carry-ons with more T-shirts, hats, buttons. The Obama souvenirs were flying off the shelves. (Still plenty of bobbleheads, though).

Compared to the full plane on the way out, space remained in the overhead bins on the DC/Chicago return flight for ball gowns, tuxes and even the life size cutout of Barack Obama - $35 in the airport. He folds in half for easy storage!

As we flew into O’Hare, I realized how many times the Obamas must have made this trip. National Airport (Reagan), small and security conscious, is always a steep ascent at take-off. Its quick climb to avoid the Potomac, and the amazing view of the Washington Monument and Capitol, leave that feeling in your stomach like the last good jump on a gentle roller coaster. Contrast that with landing at O’Hare, the airport of the City of Big Shoulders. It looks vast compared to Washington, stretched out in a quilt of orange lights, like so many small stars stitched together or a string of Christmas lights. I realize I no longer share a hometown view with the Obamas and it makes me a little sad. Still, I am glad that we were the big shoulders the President stood on to get to the Capitol. He can’t help but miss this sweet home, I am sure. We will miss him, keep an eye on him, send up some our prayers for him often.

I saw an interview with Beyonce last night. Between her tears, the “At Last” chanteuse said she had voted before, but never cared the way she does now. It did not seem enough to her that she was there at a President’s side, singing the chosen anthem for the First Couples’ First Dance. The election of Barack Obama “makes me want to be smarter,” she said. She added it makes her want to help, to support her country in more significant ways. That is the overwhelming sense I am left with after this Inauguration.

Washington is our Capitol. It is our country, to fix, to support, to defend. I look forward to the challenge and hope you do as well.

Dear friends,

I weep with joy. It is 12:01 and Barack Obama is now President of the United States.  I write you from the top floor suites of offices of Baker and McKenzie, with thanks to my husband and his firm for providing a bird’s eye view of the White House, the Washington Monument and the millions on the mall. After an hour and a half of walking and attempting to enter the mall, we chose this amazing indoor/outdoor site (with balcony overlooking the parade viewing stand) to not only hear the cheers of the crowds but to see on television, the new President of the United States and hear his stirring, faith-filled Inaugural address.

Once again, I can only say it is surreal and wonderfully real to be here. Walking the streets, it seemed a mix of Mardi Gras and a Will Smith movie: police everywhere, folks almost fleeing to get to the mall, stores closed, busses joined nose to nose blocking access to the restricted streets, the nucleus of this weekend’s activities.

In true democratic fashion, our group of eight voted to abandon the mall perimeter and go inside to quell our fears that we would get close but not close enough to see and hear the Inaugural address.

I am thrilled for what we did see: that sea of people moving, hearing them sing “America the Beautiful,” the bright sunshine beaming over it all. And the final visual before the parade begins (which we can clearly see a block away): the Bushes’ helicopter flying right over our heads as they return to Texas.

The Speech Highlights:

Short, well executed, strong, a challenge for the individuals and the world. He began graciously, thanking George Bush for his service and for his kindness in the transfer of power. Quickly, he set the tone, acknowledging that it is understood that this generation is in the midst of a crisis, a collective national failure that has strengthened our enemies, injured our planet and compromised our way of life.

Quick to reassure, Obama promised these challenges would be met, as hope over fear gathers us.  Invoking scripture, and in a very spiritual vein, Obama said, “The time has come to set aside childish things” in an effort to be sure all can achieve a full measure of happiness.  Obama’s speech emphasized that he will be looking to the pioneers, the risk takers, the doers, the makers of things to restore us to prosperity. He acknowledged those who fought and died and gave us this America, but he asserted that our nation’s “capacity” remains undiminished by this crisis.  “Everywhere we look there is work to be done,” said Obama in Kennedy-esque rhetoric. Obama promised we will harness sun and wind and improve our schools and colleges, repair our health care system and extend its protection. He asserted that the question of our time is not, “is our government too big, but does it work?”

His administration will repair the crisis created by greed and too little supervision and destructive excesses with wise spending, the end of waste and a commitment to do “our business in the light of day,” a jab at those in business, in Washington and on Wall Street where only the prosperous prospered. A call for human rights was clear: “The rule of law and rights of man must triumph.” Obama told the world, “We are ready to lead once more.” He accepted our mistakes, “Our power alone can’t protect us.” He thanked those men and women in the past and right now in the military for their service, acquiring and defending our freedom.

He spoke of peace in Iraq and self rule in Afghanistan.  He embraced new connections to the Muslim world but warned our enemies that the American spirit is stronger than terrorism, “You can’t outlast us and we will defeat you.”

Obama acknowledged, “The world has changed and we must change with it.” He invoked not Lincoln but Washington and his words from Valley Forge, reminding us that during that icy winter, like our current woes, the tide was changed by fallen heroes, serving soldiers that had something to tell us: the spirit of service must inhabit us all!!

Our challenges may be new, but honesty and hard work and patriotism are old and true and continue to dwell in us, the President said.  He reminded Americans, “We have duties,” and today we remember who we are and how far we have traveled.  We should go forward, keep this journey to its end and carry it safely for future generations.

The table was set with a lighted glass brick, lettered “Illinois Inaugural Ball,” a beautiful salad, roll and a butter pat shaped like the Capitol dome. This Illinois Inaugural was like New Year’s Eve on Times Square but without the kitsch and with a dream come true story turned real.

There were “swag bags” at each chair, full of everything from a mini iPod speaker to a lucite paperweight of the Obamas at the Grant Park Victory speech to Walgreen’s ibupofren and Jim Beam Kentucky bourbon miniatures.

“Abraham Lincoln” posed for pictures with arriving guests. The cocktails were the “Yes We Can” and “The Bailout,” among the other Obama-inspired concoctions. The professional photographers circulated, snapping couples and families, older, younger, black and white, young, younger and young at heart.

They served fillet, rare and roasted potatoes and squash and a square of swordfish. There was wine and coffee and cheesecake stamped with a square of meringue inked in a blue American eagle. Later, there would be a buffet. I saw a roasted turkey hoisted up near a carving station. Unlike the rumors I had heard, at least the dinner crowd had bountiful food and drinks. The rest of the 6,000 guests who arrived for dancing and buffet might not get the same royal treatment, but the Renaissance was giving its all.

You could sense a bit of jealousy from the out-of-state guests at the table. They came from Georgia (bought tickets online and felt the Iliinois ball would be the place to be) to Minnesotans, wishing the topic at home was the Presidency and the Olympics and not Al Franken.

Everyone was beautifully dressed: men in tuxedos, women in long gowns – gold, melon, plenty of black, white, caramel, crimson. Children, the few lucky ones who came out, had a ball, literally. One little girl, barely a yardstick high, looked like she would be perfect on the top of a wedding cake, frothy in white tulle.

Washington’s Renaissance Hotel hosted the Illinois delegation, on the eve of the official balls with NO sign of a delineation between the two, except a missing Barack and Michelle. No matter. The East Ballroom (not even the main dining room but a hot spot nonetheless) played host to Ernie Banks, Senator Roland Burris, Senator Dick Durbin and Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Dancing was one ‘70s pop party. Picture jamming to “I Will Survive” while tablecloths are changed from gold to white satin and then littered with inflatable air guitars. It’s all a fun, fabulous, fairy tale come to Illinois. Dick Durbin cuts a rug with his wife. The slide show of Barack’s history in speeches reminds any doubters of how far this campaign has come – cold Springfield to Iowa to Grant Park to DC. Nothing short of miraculous, or as Durbin reminded the crowd, “Sometimes you wait for the right tine in history and sometimes history chooses you!”

Not sure when it all ended, and I never made it to the Illinois State Fair room, but for now, I hope the fun lasts just a little while longer. The real work will be so hard, that this moment has got to be savored – at least one more day!

It’s time for the ball! What a production! What an occasion! First, a little backstory. The night before the Inauguration, the balls begin. I am attending the Illinois Inaugural Gala, a non-partisan event featuring the state leadership, minus our impeached governor. We applied on line for the tickets (10 in all). Our check cleared about two weeks ago and the tickets arrived, literally, a few days ago. So here we are, with 6,000 of our best Obama-loving friends.

More to come… You won’t want to miss the Lindsay Lohan and Stevie Wonder sightings, the swag bags, the butter pats shaped like the Capitol Dome!!!

Ready to leave for the ball! That’s a story in itself. Meanwhile, here’s what the kids are thinking. What impresses them is never the same as what impresses we adults.

Inauguration 2009
A 10-year-old’s view by Marcus Schmitz

Washington, DC is really fun.  Yesterday was fun because we went to the Lincoln Memorial Concert. We saw Jack Black, Beyonce, James Taylor, U2, Jack Black, Barack Obama and their family, Joe Biden and Bono, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, etc.  That was from 2:30 to about 4.  The walk was 5 miles; two and a half each way.  On Sunday, we also went to mass.  The church was huge.  So big, there were little speakers coming out of the wall.  On Sunday night, we saw the AFC finals.  Steelers vs. Ravens, and I am a really big Steelers fan.  And they won, too:  23-14, the final score.

A 12-year-old’s view by Marina Schmitz

Day 1: We arrived at the airport bright and early. When we arrived at our gate, we waited for a little bit and then boarded the plane. Ever one took their seats at about 8:55 am. All of a sudden the plane started flashing. The power would turn off, then it would turn back on again. Someone came and tried to fix it, which took about an hour. At this time the plane was full of sleepy people. Everyone was tired and had bags under their eyes. We were ready to take off.

Next the pilot  said that we had to change planes. The one we were in was not safe. You could hear the moans and groans of stubborn people. Soon we all got off of the plane and waited for a new one to arrive. The flight attendants told us that the new plane was going to leave at 11:15. That’s the time we boarded the next plane. We took off at about 11:30. Finally we were headed to Washington, DC. When we got close to the landing strip, I looked out the window and saw the top of the Washington Monument. It was spectacular. That was probably the closest I would ever get to it. When we arrived in Washington, we got driven to our hotel. My brothers and sister went to our room, called dibs on our favorite beds and just watched TV. I was the only person who has a cot, but that’s okay I like having my own bed even if it is pretty hard. We all went to the sports bar in the lobby ate some bad-for-you good-tasting foods. Finally, we ended our first day.

Day 2: We arrived in between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument in front of a jumbo-tron. My family and I sat on a gray rubber mat and had one of the few warm seats out of the whole thing. Most people didn’t even get to sit down. First the Vice President-elect arrived with his wife. After then the President-elect of the United States arrived with his wife, Michelle Obama. Their daughters were already seated. The concert was memorable and an experience of a lifetime. Tears were slowly moving down people’s joyous faces and also the music was spectacular. Beyonce sang and Jamie Foxx had a spectacular imitation of Obama and much, much more. This was something I will never forget.

“Without that aid of that divine being, whoever attended him, I cannot succeed. With him, I cannot fail.” – Abraham Lincoln, 1861, in his whistlestop departure speech to his friends and supporters

Abraham Lincoln said these words in a sad good-bye to his friends as he left Springfield for Washington in 1861. He believed the first President had God on his side when he took office. So Lincoln wanted the Lord in his corner in the even more difficult days of Civil War America.

Will Barack Obama put God in his White House? He has said he will find a church here, since his own church connections in Chicago proved troublesome. But will he take time for organized religion? Will he bring his children to a house of worship? His plans are for no cadre of ecumenical leaders on the Inauguration platform, as past Inaugurations have had. There will be no Catholic priest or Jewish rabbi. There will be a minister with an invocation and Michelle Obama will hold President Lincoln’s Bible as he takes he oath of office.

This is not a criticism, but an observation. Its symbolism (because everything on this day is produced, has meaning) may lie in a desire for simplicity. If I have a priest and a rabbi, do I have to have more clerics – Muslim, Sikh, Bahai, Tibetan monk? Maybe there are no hurt feelings, no controversy, if only one holy man or woman, is invited.

A place for God in one’s life takes time. I hope Barack Obama makes that time. It will help him, his family and the nation. His girls will attend a Quaker school. They already seem imbued with a sense of service to others. Their parents chose and enable that path for them. That service may keep them grounded as they breathe that rarified air for four or eight years or for life.

I think they need a church, too. The family attended Sunday services at the 19th Street Baptist church yesterday. I bet the girls complained about getting up. I repeat, I bet they complained. Make no mistake, First kids are still kids. I bet their parents sighed, looked longingly at their own underslept bed and went to church. This is how it should be and a great example for us all.

I know a little about this topic. I am a church-goer. My kids do not love it, they complain, but they go – every Sunday. When we go on trips, I take them as well. That is even a bigger challenge, but it always has rewards. We had a fabulous priest who was young and funny and poignant and political here yesterday – an inside the beltway Padre. He is the head of vocations for the Diocese of Washington, DC, and they picked well. In case you think I am overestimating his impact, you have to give a guy credit who has stories about three priests on zip line in Costa Rica and finds a way to combine them with the fact that his church’s founding members were immigrant stone masons who worked alongside slaves to build the Capitol in 1794.

You never know what surprises a church service can have for you. Worshipping in a group has benefits you can’t reproduce by just praying alone. I know Obama prays. He has said he does it often. This man will need all the help he can get to help us all. To quote his Secretary of State, “It takes a village.” So he may as well get the whole village working with him. It will take both heaven and earth to fix the America Obama will inherit on Inauguration Day.

Mood is changing here.  Jack Black on the podium, then Garth Brooks got this crowd jumping and to its feet with “Shout,” “American Pie” and “We Shall Be Free.”

Now Usher is funking up the mall, with Shakira at his side “takin’ us to higher ground.”

Stevie Wonder has joined this fabulous set.  Imagine Stevie up, braids flying and Barack doing the Barack dance, all at the feet of Lincoln’s marble shoes, the ones Barack Obama has to fill.

“We Are One” has begun: the HBO special/Woodstock of a new Obama Generation, the free festival that is kicking off this Inaugural weekend with Hollywood glitz.  It was born with this prayer: bless and challenge this nation, bless the billion world citizens who live on less than a dollar a day and bring safety, humanity and joy to the man, Barack Obama.

The Vice President and Mrs. Biden followed.  Then President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. (The first girls are here, sweet, seated and laughing.)  The sea of humanity here cheered their arrival.

You can’t see how many are here unless you leap into the air like MJ.  It is not raucous, but rather church-like.  Music, the national anthem sung better than any crowd I have ever heard, a light wind, gray sky, maybe 29 degrees and dropping – this is the feel of it all.

The mirth of a winner is here, too. Jamie Fox did his best Barack imitation, reciting from the Grant Park victory speech.  He had Sasha rolling in the aisle!  He called out to all Chicagoans to stand up and we did, with pride.

There has been Bruce Springsteen singing “The Rising,” maybe a new administration anthem. There there’s John Mellencamp, Mary J. Blige, James Taylor and Kate Nettles. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington in more serious tones, with Hanks reading the hauntingly appropriate words of Abraham Lincoln in his own era of crises.

The Obama train stopped at Union Station tonight but the DC folks didn’t get a glimpse. Not the ones who came to this train station/indoor mall hoping to see him anyway.  A television reporter who saw me clicking away at the hordes of police squad cars and motorcycles had obviously missed the President-elect, too.

“Did you get a picture of his car?” he asked hopefully.  I wonder what that photo or video was worth?

The picture I would have paid to see was a glimpse of day’s end for the Obamas.  It was Michelle Obama’s 45th birthday. Her 44th year was one for the books (that family should play 44 on the roulette wheel sometime).  It truly must be surreal for them and they must be so ready for their “new” normal life to begin.

The family is living at Blair House now. That’s the third move in a few days as the Obamas inch ever closer to the White House.  From their family home in Hyde Park to Hay-Adams to Blair House to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. That’s a lot of different beds to sleep in.  Could any Mom and Dad manage that roller coaster?

It took an hour to quiet my big kids in a hotel tonight. Imagine enforcing that famous 8:30 curfew with the circus of the Inauguration going on around you. Add to that the fact that the girls are in a new school, and I bet bedtime is brimful of kid tricks, giggles, complaints: “I miss my friends; This school is so hard/so easy; They call on me all the time/they never call on me.”

When you put the kids down tonight and say a little, exhausted prayer, think of Barack and Michelle.  If you wish your children were simpler, imagine how hard it would be to keep kids normal when suddenly there are cut out paper dolls of them on souvenir stands.

I am betting Michelle Obama gives those gals what for when they need it.  And before she let’s them get their mani-pedis and put on their Maria Pinto parade dresses, I hope she kicks them out of bed and drags them to RFK stadium to makes them pack gift boxes for veterans.

For as one President used to say: to whom much has been given, much will be expected.  And Mama Obama will be expecting a great deal.

Devin, Barack and Megan. Don’t we look good together?