inauguration

Someday in the future when the inauguration of '09 is very much in our past, what will we remember? I hope I remember the feeling of excitement in the crowd. I hope I remember what one person I interviewed referred to as a sense of unity. I hope I remember the well wishes for Barack Obama. I hope I remember black and white folks crushed into metro cars with very few complaints.

The adventures Cheryl Harrison and I found/created during the past few days will be easier to remember:

• Watching Ludacris perform just feet from me,
• Testing about 50 monitors for CCNV Homeless Shelter,
• Dancing at Madam's Organ,
• Wandering the streets with masses of other wanderers, all intent on finding someplace to be when the inauguration took place,
• Singing along at the Metro Ball, and
• Recording the Metro Minstrel during the Metro Ball.

I think I will also remember the day to day:

• Tweeting everything,
• Editing and posting video as often as possible,
• Catching sleep when I could,
• Interviewing, or trying to interview, folks in the metro, on the street, wherever we found them.

Folks asked me if going was worth the craziness. My answer is definite - ABSOLUTELY.

A Canadian friend referred to the 2009 U.S. Presidential Inauguration as the Woodstock of our generation.  I get that.  An event that we will love to discuss and be supremely pleased that we were a part of.  I have had the opportunity to feel the excitement, feel the possibility.  I have talked to folks who traveled to DC from across the country for those same experiences.  I am one fortunate chick. 

I have carefully chosen how I live my life.  I am dedicated to making the most of my days while also trying to make the world a better place.  Due to the election of Barack Obama, I believe my do-gooder efforts will have a greater impact.  I also wonder how my "fight the good fight" efforts will change.  With an administration willing to listen and discuss issues, how will we change the way we advocate and work toward equality and justice?

During his inauguration speech, Barack Obama stated that we are a country created by do-ers and risk takers. He stated we would need to be so again. I accept his challenge.

Two days before I was to drive to DC for the inauguration craziness, I backed out of my garage with a car door open.  Bent the door back.  It looked REALLY bad.  What did I immediately do?  Who did I turn to?  My online network.  I knew SOMEBODY or rather SOMEBODIES would be online to help me figure out this problem.  Lots of folks jumped in with support, both logistical and emotional.  The end of the story?  I got 3 positive recommendations for one Rife's Autobody.  I took it there thinking I would be leaving it there.  But this amazing dude shifted the door so it would latch and bent the top of the frame so I wouldn't have a huge gap.  Freakin Fabulous!  My car was now safe to drive. 

Social networking is not just a marketing tool for me.  My online network is my support network.  Themore I interact with folks online, the more they know me and trust me.  And yes, the more they know me and trust me, the more likely they are to recommend my professional services.  

Brian Lockrey of Assist Data Recovery shot a video of me discussing online and offline networking with a group of my tweeps (friends on Twitter).  The video should have been edited, but well, in all honesty imovie was giving me fits and I'm about to leave for DC for my inauguration adventure!  So, if you are strapped for time, just watch the first 4-5 miutes.  You'll get the idea.