One Year & Counting

So,it's been over a year since I tore my ACL and almost 8 months since the surgery. I'm beginning to sense, my knee will never be like it was. I still ice my knee after workouts and still have pain going up/down stairs. During the inauguration, I walked a couple of miles and had problems the next day. I feel very unsure about kneeling and when I sit on the floor and try to get back up, it is difficult, espcially when the leg stiffens up.

Other than that, I'm back to at least trying everything I used to do pre-injury, runing, yoga, etc., except skiing. I sold my ski boots a couple of weeks ago. Quite a bargain for the person who bought them as they were only used for about 10 hours.

I have yet another follow up visit to the surgeon next month. Since I saw him last month, there has been no improvement so I guess this is it. He said he had some tricks up his sleeve and I'm not sure what he meant but I guess I'll find out next month.

I Was There - Part 2

Did you see me waving the flag on the Mall? I was there along with the 1.8 million people or so folks milling about the Mall & Parade Route (as well as those that were not able to get in because of overly zealous security procedures). Anyway, my day started out around 5 am….yeah, early! I walked to the Metro with Lisa, the person who was staying with me from LA and flew in just for the inauguration. When I went outside, I saw my neighbor’s dad, who also was getting ready to depart for the swearing-in. He and his friend drove from Wisconsin for the inauguration. These people were only 3 of the thousands from all over the country that came to witness this emotional and historical event.

I was supposed to be a volunteer and meet at the Castle on the Mall, which is located on 12th Street. At first, I was going to get off at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro stop but decided against it in the crowded metro (yes, it was crowded at 5:30 am) and I started to sweat because of all the layers I had on. So, I decided to get off at Gallery Place and cross over Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th, 11th or 12th Streets. Big Mistake. The organizers failed to let anyone know, including the media, that there was only ONE crossing to get to the Mall – at 18th Street. So, in the darkened streets of DC where thousands upon thousands were congregating, many of us begin the long, long walk to 18th Street (because of where the White House is located, we had to go north first to Eye Street, then back south on 18th Street to the Mall). I was just amazed at the number of people there at such an early hour. There also were hundreds of police/military and dozens and dozens of buses/trucks blocking the entrances to the streets.


I arrived on the Mall at sunrise and enjoyed some beautiful views of the DC skies. I decided to head to the Castle and ran into Sabine who told me to meet up at the Castle. She volunteered during the campaign and was one of the lucky few who got to meet Obama at the Open House on Wednesday. Because I signed up to volunteer, I got a credential, which came in handy. At about 8:30 am, I was COLD and heard the Museum of Natural History were opening their doors. My credential got me in a bit after 9 am and there was hot chocolate waiting, warmth and bathrooms. I stayed in the museum almost until 11 am and decided to join the masses.

Despite the cold, despite the crowds, despite people being hungry, everyone was still in a joyous mood. I have never seen so many people with so many happy faces and tears of joy. People just simply waited, many, like me, for hours and hours, until the big event. It seemed to take forever for all the VIPs to enter, then emerge from the Capitol to face the crowd. Then, on the JumboTrons, we saw Obama. Screaming and flag waving galore ensued – each and every time they showed Obama as well as Michelle and the kids. All the past Presidents were introduced, some more warmly received, i.e. Clinton, than others. However, when Bush (and Cheney) came out there were boos. I didn’t boo, which I thought was not appropriate, but I didn’t clap either. Obama then spoke and the people listened.


After Obama’s speech I thought I’d get out while the going was good. I decided to take the L’Enfant Metro back instead of taking the ONLY exit back out on 18th Street (I heard that was a nightmare as people were chanting Let us Out). I have never been in a crowd of people that dense for that long of a period. It was scary at times. But everyone was calm and mannerly and we simply trodded along as one. Once on the Metro, it was fine and getting out early was a good idea.
I finished my day having lunch and drinks at a bar on U Street, visiting my neighbor on the way home and watching the remainder of the festivities on television. Each and every time I saw the image of the masses of people on the Mall waving their flags, I got emotional as I was there part of that remarkable day or as the Post said “A Moment That Will Define a Generation”.

I Was There!

I had no expectations of seeing anything during the Inauguration events. I had to tickets and did not plan to arrive early and stand for hours and hours before anything happened. I just decided I'd go to things to be there and whatever I saw, all the better.

On Sunday, I started the day going to a wonderful pro-Obama brunch organized by my friend Natasha, who used to host salons in DC years and years ago. She has quite a list of friends and I knew several folks who came - many from the 9:30 club days.


After a good time at the brunch, I decided to head down to the concert on the Lincoln Memorial. I waited about 30 minutes for the bus and after 2 buses passed packed with people, I decided to walk. As I got closer to the Mall, it seemed like a lot more people were coming back than heading down. I found out that the entrances were closed and they were not letting anymore people in. They herded us to the Washington Monument where there were several jumbotrons set up. The crowd kept getting larger and larger. I managed to squeeze up to the gate in front of the World War II memorial and had a view of the Lincoln Memorial. Being 1/2 mile to 1 mile back, I saw nothing but I was able to watch the jumbotrons set up along the reflecting pool. I got there in time to "see" U2 (I just knew they would play "Pride" and they did) and Obama (my first time hearing in speak in person). I was glad I went to be part of all of this.

The Metro was packed coming back home and after feeding the cats, I headed to a friend's house for cocktails. I saw the end of the Eagles game where they made a great come back only to lose in the end and then kept sneaking into my friend's bedroom to watch the Steelers. Then I met another friend on U Street, which was happening and lines at all the "Obama-related" places like Busboys and Poets and Ben's Chili's Bowl. After a drink at Marvin's (named after Marvin Gayne so this place was packed), we headed to Polly's as I wanted a place with a TV so I could finish watching the game. The bars just got more and more crowded.

My last stop was at my neighbor's house as her father and his friend drove from Wisconsin for the Inauguration and I wanted to stop in and say hello.

So, all in all, it was a long, fun day where I saw many friends, U2, and our next President. I can't remember another time like this ever in DC, or anywhere. It's like New Year's, the Superbowl and Halloween all rolled into one holiday.

I can't wait to see what is in store for tomorrow. I Was There, Part 2, will follow.