Apologies again for the shoddy state of blogging earlier today. What is it about best laid plans? Turns out the cellular and wireless network really did get hit as bad as predicted, answering one question rather quickly.

But another question, the bigger question maybe, is what just happened? To put it bluntly # because we've heard it said so many times already # America just stepped over a line many people thought would never be crossed. And it seemed to happen rather quickly # if not clumsily. (What's up with that Roberts? One Harvard guy to another, you can't do that.)

The view to the front of me

It was a historic election, with an unheard of voter turnout that elected the first black man to president of the United States, a dream, as Obama put it # sorry, President Obama (first time I had to write that) seems so much more important to, "a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

In the inauguration though, even with its blow-out concerts, overcapacity crowds, train rides to stir the echos of history and a call to service on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, history got thrown in the trash bin in a flash.

Follow with me from my notes:

- Congress walks in
- Cabinet members do the same
- Ex vice presidents grin and wave
- The Ex-Prez Club
- The first ladies make their apperance
- A song here, a song there
- Joe Biden is sworn in
- Obama is the president of these United States

Now, that is a Readers Digest version of what happened, and my live-blog, (as it will appear at some point) would show that it took the better part of 45 minutes. But in the end it felt like 15. All the pomp and circumstance, the robust security, the intrigue over new appointments, and even the election, now long since in the rear view # it was all over, just like that.

The view from behind my seat.

(Of course, may be that was the cold taking hold of my brain.)

But That's. What. Happened.

Now, of course Obama went on to give an inauguration speech that seemed equal parts call to action and putting everyone on notice (this went for dictators, CEO's, his allies and all of us), and the festivities are continuing as we speak. But technically speaking, from a procedural standpoint, it just happened.

And history got tossed aside.*

*Note # Of course the past did not get tossed completely aside so much as it was pushed back a bit. It's impossible to overcome more than 100 years of ugly history in just one day. But one simple act # and a group of people willing to believe in it # can go a long way.

Back with more notes later as well as photos, possibly video.

ALSO: Set your DVRs for WMTW's evening newscast. As we speak I am working out of the D.C. bureau of their parents company. Expect make-up, on-air shenanigans, allusions to Ron Burgundy and a tired-looking multimedia reporter.

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