DC is literally giddy. The city is beside itself with excitement, filled with anticipation and an underlying sense that something historic will happen on January 20.
For a start, the First Family-elect is in town, ensconced at the Hay-Adams Hotel, attending school, shutting down streets and chowing down at Ben's Chili Bowl.
Whenever I meet anyone these days, they greet me with, "Are you going to the Inauguration?". We twitter about who's going, who's got tickets, who's got access. Everyone is planning elaborate ways to get into the city. Inauguration day is a test of your initiative.
Virginians face a roadblock of no bridge access. Recommended alternative: walk.
People heading in from Maryland might be better off, but only if most of the population stays home that day: traffic on the roads into DC is usually a parking lot on non-inaugural days.
Bus and Metro have piled on extra services, but still the message is: walk. It might take a couple of hours, but you'll get there.
Of course, many welcome the test. After all, President-elect Obama's road to the White House was hardly an easy ride, so why should we just cruise down to the Mall? We are happy to walk. Every step that's taken will be one away from the current administration and a step toward what many hope is a new era for America.
As Yogi Berra said, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
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Could be my glasses, but I don't see a lot of giddy, up or down.
Inaugurations are always times of large-scale change, even between administrations from the same party. Fresh start, new frontiers, yadda yadda yadda.
But the giddies can't compete with economic preoccupation most feel, even in the most recession-resistant economy in the country.
Hoping for a good, uneventful celebration and staying home if I can't get to work that day because of the traffic restrictions.
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