Inauguration Day

I just saw myself on NBC news. For about 2 seconds. First, I saw myself in the background, standing to the right of the cheerful, homeless, spunky black lady they were interviewing. Then I saw myself again standing to the left of the the cheerful spunky lady with the goofy hat they were interviewing. Note to self: when cameras are present, be cheerful and spunky and wear silly hats.

Oh! I just saw the top of my head behind the women holding the flags! Come on, film me. I look all quiet, contemplative, soulful. Doesn't that count for something?

Decided to head to Tribune Tower for the big inauguration party. I did some research and considered the Silver Room or the Cat's Meow, but the truth is, I really wanted to be in the heart of Chicago with that beautiful skyline in the background. I wanted to brave the frigid air and stand in a mixed crowd. A warm, comfortable room just sounded too easy for some reason. And I was rewarded. I exchanged hugs with Goofy Hat (she grabbed me and I relented) and rubbed shoulders with HomeNToothless. I liked them both. A lot. I thought about grabbing that sweet old lady's hand when he took his office and I kind of wish I had. But I chickened out and lost my opportunity. I was too afraid that I would be grabbing her hand because she was black and not because I was just happy to be standing next to her. But I WAS happy to be standing next to her. And she looked kind of lonely. Now I really wished I'd grabbed her hand and stopped over-analyzing it.

I thought about Hyde Park too, but I figured that they would already be inundated with "outsiders" and that just doesn't seem right. They deserve their own chance to celebrate, among their own neighbors and friends.

I took the Blue Line and switched to the Red, exiting at Grand. The station at Grand is a superb dump. No, I mean a SUPERB DUMP. Even small-town train stations in China were nicer than that. Fix that, Daley.

I found a secret little enclave just off of the Wrigley Building. How is it that I've never seen this courtyard with this McDonalds? It is kind of charming and has windows overlooking the Chicago River, the Trump Dump, and the Wrigley Building. I had coffee and breakfast there, then headed to the Trib. It was cold.....CCCOOOOLLLLDDDDDD.....I was wearing my kicky boots and my $10 H&M wide leg black pants and my cool new belted charcoal wool coat. I looked sharp. But I was CCCOOOOOLLLLDDD. Next time I'll be less vain and more practical.

I was fixing to cry about every two seconds as I watched the Obamarama footage. Not because I believe all of the Savior-of-the-World hype, but just because I feel a little happy and dare to feel hopeful, you know. Until the cameras showed up and then I vacillated between emergent tears and involuntary spasms of rigor mortis whenever those digital eyes were upon me. I wish I were a camera-girl, but I'm not. I wish they'd go away and leave me to my private emotions. (Now that's not really true, is it? I kind of like having my image show up on NBC, don't I?) I just suck in front of cameras, that's all.

So, I watched it all, got some free coffee, walked down Michigan Ave, and visited the Chicago Cultural Center. The art exhibits didn't interest me so I headed back home. I'm currently celebrating with homemade chili dogs and a shared bottle of Goats Do Roam (South Africa. It really would be so cool if it were a Cotes du Rhone- why isn't it? What a missed clever marketing scheme).