BMWK – Blogging History All Weekend

President and FLOTUS

by Lamar Tyler | on January 17th, 2009 | 28 comments

Wednesday, Jan. 21 7:55AM EST
It’s over. Inauguration weekend that is. I have more pics for you that I’ll be posting later. I’ll probably do a weekend in review with just the photo galleries. Tweeting live from The Mall was not a success lol because of the cell phone service or lack thereof.

We did attend the inauguration of Barack Obama yesterday. Your man TheDad executed a flawless plan that I had been up all night crafting to ensure our out of town guests didn’t get jammed up in the inauguration traffic. It only took us 5 minutes to park. We were able to catch the first train that pulled up. Walked right into The National Mall and were able to get out of there with success again catching the first train. In the meantime I did see the biggest group of people trying to move around a city block in my life. (Think HBCU homecoming party times 100). All in all we had a great experience, especially once you shrugged off the cold and wouldn’t trade it in for the world.

Did you attend? If so how was it for you? Did you watch from home and if so what did you think of the inauguration?

Monday, Jan. 19 11:29PM EST
More pics from today:

Monday, Jan. 19 10:42PM EST

Finally posted the pictures from Saturday night below.

Today we went into Georgetown for lunch and then caught a movie downtown at Gallery Place which is connected to The Verizon center where the Wizards and Capitals play. By the time we got out of there the city was off the hook! We walked up to the end of the block to buy our metro passes for tomorrow and were barely able to make it up the block between bootleggers selling everything but Obama underwear. If you want it they sell it, with a picture of Obama on it.

Then bam!!! It started, the road closures. Right when we were leaving they started shutting down streets so they could move the bleachers into place for tomorrow’s parade. It took us about an hour to get four blocks and luckily we got out of town before they shut it down all of the way and I would have had to ride us half-way around the city to get out.

Tomorrow we’re doing the inauguration. Reminder I’ll be giving live updates via twitter. More pictures to follow from this weekend and a video once everything is complete.

Sunday, Jan. 18 2:01PM EST

Road closures are officially under way as of this morning. Got a text that both the Memorial and Roosevelt bridges are closed for inauguration activities. You can sign up for text alerts by visiting DC Gov’t website concerning road closures or on Metro’s websiste www.wmata.com for rail delays and alerts.

Pictures from last night are still on the way folks.

Sunday, Jan. 18 3:29AM EST

Tonight we went out to the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill for a celebration (party) that featured live performances by Joe and Brian McKnight. It was supposed to be MC’d by Cedric the Entertainer but we never saw him. Michael Baisden was there and took over MC duties. Check back tomorrow for pictures and video from the night. Tweets were limitted because we were under streeet level and I didn’t have cell phone service.

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Saturday, Jan. 17 4:19 EST

We dropped the kid crew off yesterday at TheMom’s parents house as we prepare to celebrate and party like it’s 1999. We’ve got a full weekend planned and intend to cap it off with heading to The National Mall on Tuesday to view the swearing in ceremony of our country’s 44th President, Barack Obama.

I had to go into DC this morning to take care of a few things at work since I’ll be out and surprisingly the city was still quiet. Not a lot of traffic, no street closures yet and everything was cool. I drove past The Nat’l Mall and monuments and it looks like all of the temporary fencing is in place along with a rack of Port-o-Pottys. I took a few pics on my phone so I’ll see if I can get them up for you guys.

Be sure to keep checking back all weekend for updates to our inauguration blog. If you want more real time updates you can check out my twitter page here where I push updates from my phone. This will be especially useful on Tuesday during the ceremony when we’re outside in the mix.

If you’re coming from out of town beware, it’s freezing. This morning when I went to work it was 16 degrees. Make sure you’re prepared for the weather.

All this weekend we’ll be blogging and giving you an up close view to the inauguration taking place in the nations capital. We plan on documenting our weekend with pictures, video and live tweets so make sure you keep your PC locked to BlackandMarriedWithKids.com. We’ll put all of the updates in the post but will leave a last update time each time we post so you know when something new is up.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

http://www.singlemomandmore.com Lisa Maria Carroll

Thanks for the Twitter link. I’ll be following you.

Lisa Maria Carrolls last blog post..Kimora Lee Simmons, Djimon Hounsou Expecting a Baby!
http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com TheDad

Thanks for the follow. I’ll return the favor.
chris

GOD HELP YOU……………I WOULD NOT EVER WANT TO BE IN YOUR SHOES….
http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com TheDad

Thanks Chris but we wouldn’t have it any other way

TheDads last blog post..Website Wednesday – African American Brides
Tara

It’s cold and will be oh so crazy out there, but between the excitement and weather it will be like electricity! Stay warm and looking forward to your updates!!
Harriet

Oh, wow! I’m so excited for you! A friend of mine is bringing his 5 year old son to DC, and they are bundled up like they’re going to Alaska (you know these Louisiana folks aren’t used to real cold). I can’t wait to read more! Thanks for sharing with us!
MissJay

I don’t think I can follow on Twitter if I’m not a member but I will be watching for update blogs.
Sabrina

Hey, I would love your thoughts on bringing my kids- I really want to and even went to lengths to make sure I could get the day off work- I’m out of leave due to having my daughter this summer and taking maternity leave… anyway, we’ve got an almost 3 yr old boy and a 6 mth old. I would love your thoughts/suggestions/input to help me make my decision!!
http:.//blackandmarriedwithkids.com TheDad

@Sabrina – we have two young ones that are 2 and a half and almost 1. Even though we’d love to take them with us to be a part of history I’m sorry to say, it ain’t gonna happen. Here are our reasons:

The crowd: It’s going to be crazy. We went to a rally over the summer that had 20K people after only 6K were supposed to show up. Once we got into place it was almost impossible to get out and if you did you weren’t going to get back. The only bet you’d have is to stay on the fringe.

Bathrooms: There are a lot of port-o-pottys but probably not nearly enough for millions of people and by the time you need to get into one they will probably be super nasty. The only thing that saved us at the rally was that both of our kids were still in diapers at the time and it was warm outside so bending down and chaning them on the spot was no big deal. So you need to have a bathroom plan if you do take them.

Temperature: It’s only supposed to get into the low 30′s and the morning may be brutal. When I went to work yesterday morning it was 14 degrees. Imagine having the kids out in that for hours.

Strollers: Or lack thereof. They supposedly are banned but it’s been unclear whether that’s just for the ticketed portion of The Nat’l Mall or for the entire strip?

Like I said I get the whole thing about wanting them to just be there but know that it’s going to be an uphill battle. There are warming stations like the Best Buy setup at Constitution Hall we talked about earlier this week(places close by that are allowing people to come in and watch on TV if they desire). You should scout some of these places out so the kids don’t have to be outside in the elements the entire time.
King James

Good stuff.. I guess I need to take my local arse in the city and do something..

oh well.. need to gather to was the Eagles Fly today.. we’ll see about the other days…

yep yep
http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com TheDad

@KJ – go ahead and make that move. They are starting the road closures though as of this morning so be on the lookout.
http://politicalmusic.wordpress.com Political Pete

Good Stuff!

My computer crashed so I’ve been MIA for some days. Looking forward to the coverage man . . .

Political Petes last blog post..Hennessy Makes Obama Bottle . . . No Seriously . . .
Anna

Why do I work for a foutune 500 company with a black man that has been doing commercials for us for years but I have to work on Monday? It’s ok. My body will be there Monday but my “fingers will do the walking” and call off Tuesday. LOL.
http://www.charactercorner.blogspot.com Attorneymom

I am just checking in. I look forward to your inaugural updates. I will be one of the many Negroes that have taken the day off to witness history. My excitement is increasing by the minute.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Attorneymoms last blog post..SIDEBAR QUESTION OF THE DAY
Anna

@ Attorneymom said:
I am just checking in. I look forward to your inaugural updates. I will be one of the many Negroes that have taken the day off to witness history. My excitement is increasing by the minute.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you do spend time off but also hope we have a new post on your site tomorrow. I guess I was not “Negro” enough to have the day off. MLK Day is a National and Federal Holiday. Hell being I am only half black I would have been happy with half a day off today. LOL. I know there are many Holidays that are Federal and/or National and I don’t expect those days to be with me not working with pay, i. e. Presidents Day, Veterans Day etc. Ok I got to vent once again. This is exciting and I wish that the count down for Obama being sworn in would be on each channel like the count down for ppl. with a tv that needs to change to digital. Attorneymom, I watched many programs this weekend and it was so nice to see The First Child with her camera filming it as we were watching it. Kids never know the importance of their parents. Some parents have kids that are in the lime light. At the end of the day the kids making money or the powerful man that will be our next President, still has household chores to do. Our President who will be sworn in tomorrow has bigger household chores now and gets to live in “The White House”. Enough Said.
Nicole

Those pics. are really clear. That ball looked like it was going to nice, especially looking at the menu. I’m pregnant, so you know I have to comment on the food right (lol).

Anyways, I hope Joe voted. I lost a lil respect for him after that Tom Joyner post before the election.
MissJay

@Anna

I had to work yesterday and am at work right now. At least there’s a TV set up in the breakroom for us to watch. One of my coworkers said we should all be able to get off the phone and witness history….yeah like they’ll really go for that here! LOL Wish they would though.
Marcus

I wonder what time President Obama is going to go to bed tonight…So much was going on yesterday. Man I’m proud. I am proud!!!
Jonesi

I am wondering if it was just me or was anyone else holding their breath when President Obama was walking with Michelle during the parade? I was just praying for their safety but inspired by his courage to stay calm while in such a risky situation. I have never in my life loved a public figure and his family so much! I am committed to sticking by him during these tough times but believe in my heart he truly has God’s favor and am ready for God to use him to bring about a better tomorrow for this country!
http://www.christinemills.net/blog Christine Mills

I did not attend, but I watched every minute of it at home. All in all it was a great day and I strangely feel like it’s January 1, 2009 all over again. i feel that sense of renewed purpose and hope. Let’s continue to keep the Obamas in our prayers as Barack leads this great country.
King James

I had a GREAT time and experience!!!
Harriet

@ KJ,

Tell us about it!
http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com TheDad

@KJ – yeah break off some details. How was the commute there adn what did you get into yesterday and this weekend.

TheDads last blog post..Celebs Behind the Scenes at Obama “We Are One” Concert
King James

ok ok.. you twisted my arm…

Sunday, my crew (one male and 4 females) hit the city for the concert… Pretty good stuff. I particularly enjoy large peaceful crowds so I was excited. For some reason, I thought Jay-Z was performing, but I was sadly mistaken… lol

Folks of ALL colors love the THOUGHT of being on TV. Every time the cameras would zoom past us, you could hear the loud cheering. It was amazing… I’m a HUGE fan of massive enthused movements of positivity!!!

We got there a bit late (hey, I was with women!!), so we missed some of the performances, but it was just awesome being out there with so many folks. Of course we knew many who were also out there, but there was no getting up with them. We were quite a bit away from the ‘stage,’ but the jumbo trons were great. Nice picture and the sound system was nice. Folks were just peaceful and pleasant!! Didn’t hear any cursing, griping… fighting, fussing, bickering… a bunch of Obama chants, singing, excuse me-s, laughing … I’m single so I did some woman watching of course… not too much though!

One of the best parts was talking to random people. Many who traveled from far were really enthusiastic and willing to share their stories. So although I can’t have a full understanding of the ’40 years’ from King speeches to Obama’s oath… there was some understood feeling of peace and relaxation gained from taking it all in… the kids, the seniors, the Big Mamas.. the media, the paraphernalia sellers, from internal appreciation!

PETA would have been pissed off at the hundreds of fur coats women and men were sporting

Our commute wasn’t bad. Greenbelt’s metro station wasn’t full… many spaces were still left and we weren’t even on time. The metro was pretty full at certain stops though. I figure it was worse coming from the southern end… and at the transfer stops…

We had a few from the area so we were able to navigate ourselves through the crowd. I can understand how out of towners could feel overwhelmed, however. But even the metro helpers were polite to us… and locals know how metro workers can always seem disgruntled!
King James

Yesterday was nice.

We were supposed to get up at 5 and leave around 530am.. but didn’t leave until 730am.. (women!)

We took the bus to the metro stop figuring there would be no parking… We didn’t wait too long b/c we’d waiting more than 30 minutes JUST to get our metro passes on Sunday and we’d had money left on our cards. (we had some out-of-towners and myself.. who didn’t have cards so we got paper passes)

The train ended up getting pretty full, but folks were real nice going. Sharing stories.. finding out folks were from the same areas.. taking pics and all.

We ended up by the W.monument in front of a jumbo tron … good spot and I layed down until everyone was too excited to sit. The ceremony was cool.

Leaving was a mess tho.. we just didn’t know where to go and it was us taking one step at a time.. trying not to split up …which was so easy to do when your around 400 thousand people. So that was about 40 minutes just trying to leave and taking one step at a time and being surrounded by so many people. I thought folks were gonna knock down some fences and….
http://www.theduckwalk.com TheDuckWalk

Ok I made it, but I didn’t get to see TheDad or TheMom . Actually, I didn’t get to see anyone I know in the DC area…
Anna

Thanks for sharing King James. We had many bus loads of high schoolers who made the trip. On the way back one of the buses broke down and while outside in the cold waiting for the bus to get reparied everyone was still in great spirits. When Obama won the race for “The White House” everyone was on a natural high for a week. It seems the natural high has once again surfaced. With so many ppl in one common area some ppl thought tempers would flare and words would be exchanged and fights would break out. Everybody respected the fact that this day was for President Obama and no racial tensions. I am so proud of America. We now set the tone for the world. Beyonce did a great job singing for the first dance for our New President and our First Lady. (I was wondering what she was going to sing, if you like it than you should of put a ring on it would not have worked). LOL
http://jan09dir.fortunecity.com/ MunioreCrurge

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