Obama Inauguration 2009 Coverage

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

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Over the next few days our Pop and Politics correspondents—including our founder Farai Chideya— will be covering the historic swearing-in ceremony of the nation’s first-ever Black president, Barack Obama. Our coverage in D.C. is possible thanks to a generous donation from the Knight Foundation. All coverage can be found in our special section dedicated to the inauguration.

Inauguration Diary:From Los Angeles to Washington D.C—Longest. Flight. Ever.

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

BLACKOUT FLORIDA

I left my warm and cozy apartment in East Los Angeles at 5:30am and didn’t arrive in Washington D.C until 10:30pm. Not only was this the longest flight in the universe, but the most nightmarish layover in Boston, ever. Thank you Priceline!

Since LAX is a complete nightmare, I didn’t want to run the risk of missing my place (it’s happen before!) I checked in one of my bags (which I had to pay $15 for) and then headed over to security to completely be stripped away of all self dignity. (Really? Do you really need to know what’s inside my shoes? I promise I am not hiding any explosives in my socks.)

Then, I had a layover in the worst airport in the world. Logan, Boston. It was ridiculously cold, freezing, and in case you didn’t know, each terminal is like it’s own mini-airport.

So I had to jump on a little bus, to go from Terminal C to Terminal B, THANK GOD I had taken my jacket and gloves with me. Enduring horrible freezing temperatures is new to me and frankly, I am not a fan. The cold and wind stung my face little tiny microscopic slaps. I had to run, with my laptop bag, my carry-on bag and my wet Ugg boots, because, of course, I stepped on a big pile of snow.

I had to go through security all over again. By this time, it was 5:55pm ET and my flight left to DC left at 6pm. I decided that there was no way I was missing my flight and ran from the check point to terminal 18. I was in my heavy wool coat, hat, scarves, gloves, laptop bag, and carry-on running through an airport I had never been in

Finally, I see a big 18 terminal sign with great big windows and my plane slowly moving away. Cue freak out:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to cry. I was tired, exhausted, cold, wet, and my hair was icicles. Jason, the guy working the desk took pity on me.

“You on the 6pm to DC?”

“I was suppose to be!” I responded almost in tears.

“Your flight has been delayed.”

OMG. Wow. The snow gods must have taken pity on me.
He said something about a malfunctioning plane and too much ice on the tarmac, but honestly at that point I wasn’t paying much attention. I hadn’t missed my flight!

So there I was, stranded now in Boston, only to realize there was no free wi-fi, none power outlets worked for my dead laptop, and I was hungry.

After what seemed hours, we finally boarded, and I arrived in DC to encounter more cold, minus the snow. My friend, Estee, had advised me that I could take the Yellow Metro from Reagan to the Convention Center. For $1.35, I, alongside many others with suitcases, got on the Metro and headed towards DC.

From an airport to a metro to the city: easy transportation. Wish we had something like that in Los Angeles!

Seven stops later, I was in Chinatown, DC, and had finally arrived to witness one of our nation’s most historic moments… and all I kept thinking was… “I wish I would have packed more socks.”

To Be Continued……

In the News: Hush Beyoncé, You Spoiled the Secret

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

According to HollywoodLife.net, Superstar Beyoncé recently released a statement saying, “I am so honored that I will be performing for President Obama and the First Lady. To sing At Last while they have their first dance is a dream come true.”

This statement about her Inauguration 2009 performance is all good except for one thing—one big thing. It was supposed to be a secret. The site says the Presidential Inaugural Committee had hoped the song would remain “classified” until the President and his wife stepped on the floor for their first dance on inauguration night. Yikes, talk about letting the cat out of the bag.

Beyoncé’s inability to keep this bit of news hush-hush may be a surprise to her fans. After all, she kept her wedding plans to rapper Jay-Z a secret for months. Come on Beyoncé, where’s the tight-lipped Sasha Fierce when you need her?

Are you interested in hearing the original version of At Last by Etta James? Listen to the song at Last.fm. Eventhough Beyoncé has a golden voice, she has some legendary shoes to fill on this one.