Snapshot of a Lifetime

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

filed under: mary alice haney

In DC, I took a picture I will treasure always.

Fashion and Beauty Editor Mary Alice Haney: I was lucky enough to have a front-row seat for the inauguration ... my parents' place is in the heart of Washington DC.

We had arrived in DC the night before and went straight to Arianna Huffington's "Night Before" ball. We rubbed elbows with celebs like Ben Affleck, Ashton Kutcher, Robert De Niro, and Larry David mixed with Obama supporters and many of Obama's future team. There was a great countdown to midnight, and Sting and Will.i.am played and helped the crowd ring in Inauguration Day.

I spent Inauguration Day at my parents' place that overlooks the Capital, Penn Ave. and the White House. Unless you are sitting right next to Obama, I'd say our apartment had the best view in the city.

We had a party, and kept going in and out of the apartment as our balconies overlooked the parade route. We could hear the roar of the crowd on the mall ... and it was unreal!

The highlight of the entire day was when Obama got out of the motorcade right in front of us. We couldn't believe our eyes ... or our luck. He even looked up and waved! My sister and father had said that they thought this was the place he would get out and walk because the building across from us was the National Archives building ... but I didn't dare pin my hopes on that. Yet it happened! Obama got out and walked right in front of the building that houses many of the documents (such as the Declaration of Independence) that have so inspired him. That's when I snapped the shot that I will treasure for the rest of my days.

Last night, we took the Amtrak that Joe Biden took for so many days of his life back to New York. As we passed his stop on our way to NYC, the entire train gave out a big cheer. The whole experience sent chills up my spine.

It was truly a day I will never forget. I feel blessed to have been able to view history and usher in our new president in person.

The day's events left me exhausted but so hopeful and excited for the future of my two little boys. They will grow up color-blind and with the optimism that anything is possible in America with hope, hard work and a big dream.

4 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I AM GLAD YOUR SO EXCITED…..WRITE AFTER WE ARE NOT SAFE ANYMORE AND WE, WHO WORK FOR A LIVING, ARE TAXED TO DEATH AND CAN’T PAY OUR BILLS ANYMORE AFTER THE PAST 15 YEARS THAT THE DEMOCRATS BLOCKED ANY TYPE OF REGULATION TO THE MORTGAGE CRISIS. WHAT A JOKE…IF YOU THINK OBAM IS GOING TO KEEP US SAFE…GO LISTEN TO THE DEAFENING LAUGHTER FROM OUR ENEMIES…….THEY DID IT,,,THEY GOT A MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHO WILL NOT KEEP US SAFE,,,,TALK TALK,,,,THE ENEMIES DO NOT LISTEN TO TALK…THEY LAUGHT AT THE LEFT’S IGNORANCE…..WAHT A WEBSITE…MOM.COM….YOU ARE DOOMING YOUR CHILDREN WHILE YOU SIT BY AND LAUGH AT PRESIDENT BUSH…WERE YOU ATTACKED AGAIN….WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS…MORE WORRIED ABOUT HIS AND HER LOOKS THAN YOUR CHILDRENS SAFETY….AND WHATS WITH YOU BRAGGING ABOUT THE WAY SHE DRESSES…THAT WAS THE MOST PITIFUL EXAMPLE OF A BALL GOWN FOR A FIRST LADY I HAVE EVERY SEEN! IT CERTAINLY WASN’T ELEGANT OF BEAUTIFUL AND MADE HER LOOK BIGGER THAN SHE IS….WHAT A JOKE

- Susie

Posted 01/21/09 02:31 PM

l was the Presidental event allday. lt was a beautiful thing to see. l was very suprised to see the President get out the car, and start walking along the street to wave at the people. lt shows he trust us, as we trust him. lt is rare form to get a President get out of his car to say hello to the people. l wish l had of been there.

- Robin Carter

Posted 01/21/09 04:52 PM

Dear Susie, You obviously have some strong feelings, and I’m glad you took a few moments to put them into words. I get the feeling from you that you already miss the illusion of safety that the Bush administration has provided you. I am hopeful that you will take comfort in the knowledge that President Obama shares your wishes for security and safety, after all he is a loving and caring husband and father, not to mention a thoughtful, intelligent, and capable leader. Like yourself, I too work for a living, and I believe President Obama will work for the prosperity of ALL Americans, not just the ones who have already made it. If you are truly a working person I have a feeling that your fears of being taxed to death are unfounded, President Obama plans on raising taxes on only those making too much money, that does not sound like a problem you have. Regarding our security, reckless unilateralism only serves to fan the flames of the weakest amongst us. Diplomacy is a better first approach, and one that will reap the biggest peace dividend. I understand that President Bush has provided you 8 years of security, but the cost to our world reputation and financial security as a superpower has suffered because of his heavy-handed style. We are not the only superpower in world, we need to consider not just ourselves when we take aggressive actions. Rest assured that President Obama will use force if the necessity arises, he has already demonstrated that he is the type of person who surrounds himself with capable people. I’m not sure that you can blame Democrats for our financial crisis, after all Democrats are all about regulation. Regarding your criticism of Mrs. Obama’s dress, I don’t personally feel confident discussing matters of style, but my impression of her is that she is a happy, confident woman. She does indeed have a full figure, but she carries herself with grace. It may not be your personal style, but this is a free country. You are entitled to say what you want, shouldn’t she be able to dress the way that she wants to dress? Here are a few techniques I use to manage my own stress. 1. Get in my 11 mile/gallon SUV and put the pedal to the metal, nothing like a long drive in an over-sized dinosaur to melt

- Ian

Posted 01/21/09 04:52 PM

There goes the neighborhood! Obama will ruin this country, we will have to sleep with one eye open at night. Let’s be friends with terrorist’s and turn our head the other way. Hope, how about safety! Foolish people of America will be surprised at the deception.

- Anonymous

Posted 01/21/09 11:58 PM