The traffic here is already NUTS, and it's going to remain that way until after the Inauguration is over.
To make matters even worse, "they" (although I doubt it's Obama's team) have decided to CLOSE most of the BRIDGES from Virginia into Washington, DC that day.
?????????????????
Hello??? VIRGINIA was one of the SWING states, and ended up going for OBAMA!! How come our only routes into Washington, DC are being shut down? What about Maryland? Just because they don't have to cross any bridges, they get to have direct access into the city? We Virginians are just a tad bit pissed off!
Not that I'm heading anywhere near the city for the next couple of weeks. No, I am staying right here in my warm house, by the fireplace. Jim and I have already had our fun with Inaugural parades, oaths, and balls in the past, and are now leaving it all to the young'uns.
My oldest daughter managed to get four tickets to the parade, and The Washington Post reports that they were sold out in ten minutes, so she got lucky. Our son was on a special email list for events, so a couple of weeks ago, he, NC-daughter, and Loren got tickets to the Virginia Inaugural ball. It's not an OFFICIAL ball though, and is the night before, so the Obamas probably won't show up for that one.
Unless they want to show their appreciation to Virginia for coming through for them in the election.
Especially since we won't be able to get across those bridges...
-- Edited by Moore ideas at 15:50, 2009-01-09
__________________
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
What are the people who need to be downtown that day supposed to do? Swim? Gah. No wonder lots of Virginians are pissed off about that.
Ted's taking the day off next Tuesday if he can manage it, so he can watch the whole thing that's televised. Although he can watch at work (he works for a media corporation here) he doesn't want anyone to see him tear up during the swearing-in. He was very, very relieved Obama won, as were most people up here. Onward to the era of hope, non?
Well, Virginians are permitted to take the Metro, but they've closed the stops that are where everyone wants to be! They're also allowing buses across, but I think that most of those are expected to be charter buses.
So, the options are to drive around the beltway, and come in through Maryland, or take the Metro, get off at a stop a mile away and walk, or walk across the darned bridge (which my son is threatening to do).
Jim says that they're concerns are evacuating the city, in the event that it might become necessary, and too many cars downtown would be a detriment to doing that.
As I said, that's why I'm staying here!
Fortunately, everything downtown will pretty much be closed.
On the positive side, it's a very exciting atmosphere here during any Inauguration, but I'm glad that I'm not planning to go anywhere this time.
__________________
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
I think it's a good idea you stay at home! I'd be irritated if I had to drive all the way into Maryland to get somewhere.
Karen, Ted won't be the only tearing up, I suspect. If I were able to watch,I'd be tearing up too. Unfortunately, I'll be working out in the field that day.
