This blogging gig is tough. Every time I need to sleep I feel like I need to sit down and write something. I have a new appreciation for you and Marie.

I would love to describe today in some sweeping emotional tones but to be honest Im just too tired. You saw it on television. You believe in change. You don't need me. We are all here together in spirit. Thanks for reading this and know you all have my love. I'll just try to give you the facts to the little bits that your missing (or not missing).

We started early today watching TV to see if traffic was impossible or the metro was our best bet. By about 630 my sister decided that we were stupid enough to try to drive all the way to union station.

Stupid like a fox! Apparently everyone else chickened out from driving because we drove 10 miles in seven minutes and had no problems . Every 3 or so blocks we'd hit a military checkpoint but we'd just say " were going to union station" and our boys in camo would smile and let us through.

The line into the inauguration was long but not too unwieldy. It took us a good hour and a half to get through but it was little to ask to be a part of this important occasion. Once in we had a good spot just 200 yds from the podium. I was happy as a clam but my 5'4 sister wasn't quite in the clear spot that I was in. I would normally feel pity for her but when she was coming back from the facilities she literally bumped into Samuel S Jackson who was waking with Mariah Carey. Almost makes it worth the 8 degree temperature.

The inaugural was amazing. I know most of you saw it so theres no reason to recap. The only thing you may have missed was that every time the announcer said "please be seated" we all cracked up because there was not a piece of dirt left to sit on. My only other non-viewable moment was when the presidential motorcade arrived. The crowd went crazy with excitement and love...... then someone realized the president in the motorcade was W. The crowd then immediately bursted into boos. To be honest I thought the crowd was a little tacky but funny nonetheless.

Later in the evening we headed to the official western ball. It was a fantastic event with people from all over the western states dancing and celebrating the new president. When Obama spoke the crowd was much louder than any other time in the day and the feeling of victory was finally complete. I've been to hundreds of concerts over the years and dozens of political rallies but never have a seen so many people together in a sense of purpose.

The night went well overall. If Jay Kapitz has some story about me forgetting one of the tickets and my sister having to rickshaw 20 blocks to go find it I have to say that Kapitz is a pretty shady character and I wouldn't believe a word he says.

4:00 - Our friend Ashley wakes up, too excited to sleep.

4:45 - Our cousin David wakes up because "this is the most important inauguration ever, next to George Washington's."

5:00 - Jennie and Brad wake up, and knowing that I must walk the dogs, I ask to sleep in for five more minutes. This is not to say I am not excited, just very cold and apathetic to the dogs' needs.

6:15 - We leave my cousin's house in Georgetown and head over to the Metro in Rosslyn, VA.

6:25 - Parking isn't much of a problem, though it is confusing because of the many road closures on the VA side of DC. We get on the Metro. It's busy.

7:00 - We get off the Metro...35 minutes later on what would normally be a 5 minute ride.

8:00 - We arrive at the corner of 14th and Constitution... 2 blocks from where we stepped off the Metro. A thronging mass of people restricts movement across the street as well as one inch in any direction. We befriend the people near us. We're surprised to see no one has much to complain about as we stand waiting for direction for the next ½ hour with no explanation as to why we are not moving. It is extremely easy to find a fast friend when you are nestled under their armpit in 20 degree pre-dawn weather.

8:27 - We find a spot east of 12th St on the Mall. The 8 blocks in front of us where non-ticketed attendees are permitted to stand is already packed with people 3 ½ hours before the event. We are excited to be located in front of a Jumbotron. We jump around, singing "Lean On Me," with a few of our millions of like-minded friends replayed from the Inaugural Concert on said Jumbotron, just so happy to have made it.

8:30-10:03 - We hang out with new friends from Virginia, Florida, and sections of the Northeast, discussing the extent to which each was involved with Obama's campaign and sharing ground space that we've spoken for. Suddenly the people standing next to us feel like distant extended family. All we need is one commonality to believe we are connected. In between the end of the concert reply and beginning of inaugural festivities, the screen projects images of us, the crowd. We are humbled by our mass. Not having realized that while we reflected on the past couple years, the millions that were predicted to attend were herding in. The San Francisco Boys and Girls Choirs perform to open the Inauguration celebration. As dignitaries and elected officials start filing in after that, and while we stop keeping track of time, there are some very memorable entrances. Among them, cheers from the crowd for Al Gore, Ted Kennedy, the Clintons, Colin Powell, Jimmy Carter, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Michelle, Sasha, and Malia Obama. The crowd doesn't seem sure about how to react to Rick Warren, but when both Bush families arrive, people either ignore them or boo loudly.

12:00 - The swearing in of Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States, officially begins. Obama seems nervous and stumbles over the first part of the swearing-in, and in the crowd, people let out a smile or giggle. Michelle Obama cries as she holds Lincoln's Bible. Honestly, the moment doesn't seem perfect but it's a rare window into the humanity of a man that so many have built up to be a demi-god. But it is the small things that don't go according to plan that make things memorable. Obama recovers his composure and delivers his Inaugural Address without a hitch, bringing some in the crowd to tears, some to cheers, but all smiling wildly as history unfolds in front of them.

After the address, many in the crowd start leaving, but without specific instructions as to where to go, or which Metro stations are closed, a slow quiet chaos ensues. There are no fights, there are no riots, and there are few swear words. In fact, for all the confusion, for all the misdirection, rumors, and porta-potty prophets (some people took advantage of the abundance of Andy Gumps to "get a perspective" but they never really knew what was going on), the only complaining is in mild jest, and the angriest shouts were simply inquiries about the status of the trains in the Metro: "Is the f*****g Metro running or not?" This is okay, because most of us are wondering the same thing and a slight hush falls over the crowd as we wait to hear if a uniformed someone responds with an answer.

After we resign ourselves to the fact that we are not going to leave the same way we came, things go smoothly. In fact, the obstacles that we overcame that morning we would later recall as a breeze compared to the near aimless wandering that was unfolding before us. First, we head to 12th Street to get on Constitution Ave to pick up the Metro to Rosslyn at Federal Triangle. Unfortunately, but predictably, Constitution Ave is closed for the parade. We retreat to the last known open crossing, 14th St and Constitution, to find it in the same state. After speaking with an Army soldier, we come to realize that the fastest way out is across the National Mall and a long walk to Farragut West. His exact advice, and the only advice we get is simply "Follow the crowd." Farragut West is not ridiculously far, but at what we determine is "Inauguration Shuffle" speed, it takes us 60 minutes to walk less than a mile. We are herded over barricades, across streets, over trampled vines, between porta-potties, and through planters in what we later realize is a giant figure 8. The mass moves blessedly free of injury thanks in large part to dozens of people calling out "Curb!!" over curbs and extending a hand during barricade straddling. Just west of the Washington Monument, we are no longer corralled by the military. Our 4 person group is spit out of the thronging mass one by one. We finally wander into the vast trampled pasture of the National Mall and, slack-jawed and wobbling, migrate through what might have been - in another time and place - a refugee camp. Morale is high, but we are beginning to realize that our bodies are freezing cold. At the far end of the Mall, we cross over a chain link fence which was likely not designed to be walked upon. Now face to face with the Inaugural Parade, the majority of our challenges are closed roads and oncoming traffic. One word: Frogger.

Once we get to Farragut West, we find that it is impassible. Plan B is out. Plan C is a walk to Foggy Bottom in Georgetown, but from about a quarter mile away, we realize that it is just as packed, and there's no guarantee that it works. Plan Z, our "last resort under all circumstances," is to walk all the way back to Rosslyn, VA. That's right, an interstate stroll. The tax rate where we stop to buy coffee in Georgetown is different than the rate we buy groceries at. And we're off.

Please find attached a MapMyRun screen capture of the 5.25 mile route we took to and from the Inauguration. On foot.

And so it is that, 4 hours after making the decision to leave the Inauguration, and now very cold and very tired, we finally arrive back at the house in Georgetown, still numb from the bitter winter chill, the massive swarms of people, and the immensity of what we just experienced, to sit around the fireplace, hot cocoa in hand, shoes off, and heads back while a hot meal cooks in the kitchen and a new president sits in the Oval Office.

We took group pictures on the Capital Steps in the morning. Our group included Rep. Capps and about 30 folks from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

This evening 50 friends and community organizers from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties met for dinner at La Tomate in Dupont Circle. Thanks to the management for a wonderful evening. Everyone had a chance to introduce themselves and tell the group what brought them to the inauguration. Most of us did take the opportunity to share our stories. Each story was heartfelt and special. The common thread was a chance for a new future and the excitement to be here to witness it.

To Jason Hodge, yes I am actually here in DC!

Happy Inauguration Day to all my friends, to the citizens of our nation and the world.

You are the change we have been waiting for! Enjoy!

After two day's blissful congregating, we encountered the extremists, who arrived in full force today. Activist groups on the far ends of the political spectrum filled the streets, specifically the parade route, with banners, flyers, swag, and the second-rate propaganda that, while certainly representative of the dedication to the cause these groups have, invites a certain scrutiny that leaves you smirking or astonished. Since I couldn't/didn't/wouldn't concern myself with the actual names of these organizations, you'll just have to go along with fictionalized names I came up with after observing them.

NOTE: Excuse me for what I intend to be a good-natured ribbing of a few groups we ran into.

In front of the White House, where Barack Obama's parade viewing booth has been constructed, the Arrest-Bush-for-War-Crimes Group was posted and members were distributing literature admonishing Inauguration visitors to "hold Bush accountable" for the crimes of the Iraqi War. Hey, don't get me wrong, I was against the war before it was cool to be against the war, and frankly, I'm not going to spend a lot of energy on this one. I voted for the guy who was also against the war when it wasn't cool to be against the war, so I think I've done my part. Moving on.

The next prominent group was the Obama's-Change-Isn't-Radical-Enough-For-Us Front, whose members were competing for attention in front of the viewing stand. Honestly, I don't know how they could have hoped to - the Arrest-Bushes' mascot was pretty overwhelming. Plus, they had Death on their side. All these guys had was a stack of sunshine yellow half-sheets of literature outlining their gripes - but not including actual solutions. Second-rate protest, at its best.

The Union-Of-Culture-Theft-For-The-Purpose-Of-Flipping-Bush-The-Bird Protesters were just a few steps from the aforementioned group, and a number of supporters had thrown their shoes at, but not to or on, the gates some hundreds of yards from the White House. A demonstrator read off the names of the U.S. military servicemen and servicewomen who had been killed during fighting in the Middle East. It may have been Iraq only, or Afghanistan and Iraq, but when asked, the UoCTftPoFBtB couldn't tell us. I guess it wasn't important to them.

I should be clear, and to any reading these correspondences, heed this: I am all about free speech, and I personally feel that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been grossly mishandled. But there's something about these kinds of demonstrations that leave a foul taste in my mouth. Perhaps it is the underlying assumption that working WITH people is futile, or that those with moderate views are "cop-outs." Most irritating, however, was how it seemed these groups were attempting to pirate Obama's victory and use this historic time as a launch pad for their own ideas. It was however very encouraging to see that the vast majority of the crowds gathered largely ignored the extremist types. We're here to watch history be made - to take a breath and celebrate the wonder of a national accomplishment. Of course there are marches to be made, and there are issues to protest, but most of us recognize that it is through tempered and thoughtful unity that real change will be achieved.

I can't think of a clever segue to our last extremist organization, so I'll just juxtapose the next group against my last point. They don't need an introduction, I think.

If there's one group of people who have routinely found themselves outside of the political and social norm, it has always been the Doomspeakers. Posted in the background of an MSNBC broadcast booth, a few activists concerned themselves not with global politics, but our eternal souls. God bless them for trying. Of all the groups we saw today, the one that got the least respect (or more to the point, the most disrespect) were a few soldiering souls holding the perennially-celebrated "Doomsday/Salvation" posters.

Apparently Obama is so popular that the Son of God actually has to compete. It's a real shame, too, because I kind of like Jesus.

In my Bible, Isaiah 55:6-7 reads, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." I'm no Biblical scholar, but I think something is been lost in the translation here, because not only do these folks think JESUS spoke in Isaiah, but it seems he used much less compassionate language.

Last night was the first of the balls that I have been able lucky enough to cajole my way into. The California Democratic Bash was held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum. If you come to DC this is one of the three places you have to see. Its a surreal experience. Walking in is like walking into a archaeological dig of space exploration. The first thing you see hanging in the main lobby is the Wright brothers plane from Kitty Hawk just feet above your heads. The turnstiles you walk through are inches from John Glenn's actual space orbiter, sputnik hangs right that. To the right is Buzz Aldrin drinking a glass of Champaign. Yeah that's right. Buzz Aldrin. The first man to the moon was having a cocktail in the lobby right next to the lunar orbiter in which he and Neil Armstrong traveled 500,000 miles to the moon and back. Of course I had no choice but to wrangle my way into a conversation with a personal and national Hero. As we approached him we tried to conjure up a good conversation opener. Something profound, poignant, witty. Fitting of a national treasure like him.

"So did you guys really have to drink Tang?" My friend asked before I could get a word out.

"That stuff is horrible. I never could stand it" Aldrin replied. My friend later told me he wanted to ask "So where did you guys film the moon landing?" but he didn't want to get punched in the face. If you know anything about Buzz Aldrin than you know that this is a real possibility. Still, Mr. Aldrin was great we talked for about ten minutes and got a great photo for my scrapbook.

( Jason: Please identify these people from L to R again.)

Later we talked to Lois Capps, Debra Bowen, Barbara Boxer (who all looked smashing!) and a whole mess of Local Pols and activists. The atmosphere was about as perfect as you could imagine for this event. They did a good job of not overselling the event. No crowds or lines at all (except for the dreadful line to get a Cab). It was easy to get a drink and then take the champagne through space lab. Truly a magical event. It was great to talk to all the California Democrats who are really committed to working for a better future.

My date was my lovely sister who is extraordinarily talented at campaigning and managing Non-profits. She is currently working for the Sierra Club so we have lots of enviros that she hangs with and you know who they all know? Our own local state Senator Fran Pavley! When I talk about who we work with and mention Pavley they all light up and say "as in the Pavley Car standards?" See, one of California most accomplished assembly members is from our area.

This morning I went down to the capitol to Elton Gallegly's office to pick up our inaugural tickets. The line in the Rayburn Building was a good hour and a half wait and wrapped all the way around the building. To top it off it started snowing 20 minutes into the wait. I had forgotten my gloves ( Hey I live in Ventura county, I had forgotten I owned gloves) so finally I called up to Gallegly's office to see if I could just pick them up from someone later. They asked which door I was coming in and said to wait a couple minutes. Well, a couple minutes later I hear "Jason, Lets go warm you up in the office" and next to me is Elton Gallegly who had come down to walk me in. I really can't show enough gratitude. Elton and Janice were as nice as ever and the staff was all exited about the festivities. Brian had asked me to ask if the Gallegly's would be in attendance in the morning and Elton said he has made every one since Reagan. They had even brought one of their grand children from Simi Valley to attend. Elton has previously told me that he is fairly impressed with the bulk of Obama's Cabinet picks and looks forward to working with the administration in these Challenging times.

Early to rise. Im not a morning person and im a poor traveler. If you know me you've known me to be late. Unfortunately airlines aren't as forgiving as friends. This morning however I was up at 6 and out the door with three hours to go. When I turned on the radio the first thing I heard was the Sam Cooke civil rights anthem "change is going to come". The sound of those words, and the hopeful voice which sang them sent a chill down my spine. I paused there in the driveway and couldn't help but smile. Change has come. Not the change that Obama promises, but the change that he represents. On Tuesday, the day after Martin Luther King day, an African-American will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and for millions of minority Americans change has irrevocably come.

The flight was pretty much the greatest flight of my life. I got an entire exit row to myself. Had a bag of beef jerky and time to contemplate. When we arrived in DC the airport was surprisingly smooth and empty. Traffic was mild and the streets were just a little busier than your typical night when congress is in session.

Right now Its about 7pm and we are getting ready to go to the California Democratic Bash. I'm a little sun burnt and tired from a busy day of standing and hiking 5 miles around the Mall but I have no complaints. I'm more in that mood of weary contentment sporting a Cheshire grin that should keep smiling all week.

This afternoon we made our way to the Lincoln memorial to watch the concert on the mall. The subway was a little packed but not bad. Everybody was polite and in a good mood and foot traffic flowed smoothly. At the mall we decided that we would find a place in the middle with a good view of the jumbotron. Less of a desire to watch the concert than wish to be a part of something thats is happening. Just stand and envelope ourselves in the history of the moment.

That said. WOW! What a show. Great performances. Friendly people. Nothing but love. When it was over I half expected Bono to say "my work is done is here" and float back to his alien mothership. I'm not sure what the attendance was but it was just a sea of people guesses ranged from 500000 to 750000. I've never been in a crowd nearly as large as this and the crazy thing was I heard no complaints. Not one person complaining about the crowd or the 38-degree weather. After the show we walked all the way back to the east of capitol in a mass of people and again it was a crowded amalgam of Americans with nothing but respect and courtesy for one another. If anyone ever doubts that we are great nation with great people than I can give you evidence to the contrary.

Jason

Unsurprisingly, the entire DC metro area surges with Obamania. Local artists and boutique shops display everything from "Welcome President Obama" to "Yes We Did" signs and slogans. It is difficult to tell if the proprietors are excited about the election or the encroaching masses of potential customers. In any case, on Day Two of our stay here, the coming Inauguration festivities electrify the city, and it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement.

Over a year ago, we saw Obama speak at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Citywalk as he was running in the primary race against Clinton et al. The mood was then quite similar - people waiting, some less patiently than others, but all waiting anxiously for Obama's arrival. A fellow Southern Californian said, way back then, "He has to win. He just has to win!"

And we spent the next year working to ensure that he did. We phone banked, talked with friends, and got as many people fired up about Obama as we could.

It wasn't hard. Across the nation, once-conservative friends and family were being drawn to Obama's message - and after 8 years of the previous administration's decision making - were doing a whole lot more than hoping. From other grassroots-level involvement to generous donations to the campaign, people across the nation were working hard to help Obama realize our hopes for the nation. My cousin summed it up when I spoke with him over New Year's. He said, "I don't have a huge problem with [George W.] Bush. I mean, I voted for the guy twice. But when you meet Obama, when you stand in the room with him, it's like, 'Wow. He's the real thing. He's not just saying what people want to hear. He stands for what he believes.'"

It must be true, because here we are. Thickly layered, bundling against the cold, and from all corners of the country, more people than I can fit in the frame of my camera are piling into the open spaces around the Reflecting Pool in the National Mall.

Ashley, our dear friend and local tour guide, made an interesting remark. Waiting for the "We Are One Inaugural Concert," she said, "I don't see any kind of negativity here. I was expecting at least one crazy person somewhere spouting about the end of the world or something. The wrongest thing here is the price of the merchandise!" And it's true. "You know how rare it is to find this many people who agree? We could say the sky was blue and not this many people would agree," she continued. "We all agree on [this] one thing."

The concert ends up being great fun, even from the great distance we end up watching from. I meet many people, total strangers, from every part of the country, and all have interesting stories to tell. Many of the folks around are with a group called "The Close-Up Academy" which is comprised mainly of high school students from around the country. Universally, it seems they are a little overwhelmed but very excited. I asked a young man from the San Jose area how he felt about being in Washington D.C. and he stared off for a moment and said, "It's cool. Really cool," which is altogether appropriate; it is still difficult to put into words the immensity of these days. We also ran into Andrew Purchin, a California-based artist, who took up his easel and was working on painting his view of the concert - which was several hundred yards from the Washington Monument.

You have inspired me! I'm trying to take lots of photos and do two posts daily.

Wow, I cant believe its actually here. I've been a volunteer, activist, and political junky for my entire life. I have had the good fortune to travel and feed those addictions pretty frequently but nothing compares with this upcoming week. I can not overstate the excitement I have for this historic inauguration. I feel like a Dallas Cowboys fan who gets 50 yardline tickets to the superbowl and then finds out he is sitting between Tom Landry's wife and Emmit Smith. It's just that cool.

So for those keeping score here is my schedule. Ill be updating frequently and trying to send back photos as they become available. I've used what little charm, karma, and favors that I have to get here so I hope I can share you along this historic journey with me.

Sun: Concert at the Lincoln Memorial
California Democratic Ball at the Smithsonian air and Space museum

Mon: Pick up Inaugural tickets at Congressional Offices. Live Slate Gabfest at historic Synagogue. Dinner with Ventura and Santa Barbara activists

Tues : Inauguration!!!
Western Inaugural Ball

I do need start by thanking some friends who have help made all this happen. The Honorable Elton Gallegly, Ventura county professional firefighters, VCPFA president Chris Mahone, California professional Firefighters and their awesome staff, Marilynn and Leo Valenzuela of the California Labor Federation, the California Democratic Party, Jay Kapitz, Brian Dennert and all my friends who put up my dragging them to parades, rallies phone banks, dinners and street corners for activities.