And A New Era Dawns!

(LiveBlogging the Inauguration of Pres. Barack Obama)

NOTE: All times are Eastern Standard Time

8:46 AM: The Obama Family is on CP time, 10 minutes late to their own church service. Thank Gawd I'm not in DC, the lines on the Metro are outrageous! and it's 17 DEGREES! I love the jubilation of the crowds! And they are so diverse, yet...I seem to see a much darker hue than in any of the others I've seen.

8:49 AM: They have finally left, thank goodness the ride to St. John's was only about 45 secs. (If this were any other President-Elect, I would want them to walk...but he needs as much protection as we can afford.) And Mrs. Obama is looking GREAT!!! in a very nice, yellow-ish/gold-ish dress with an ankle length jacket of the same color, there appears to be bead work, or sequence. T.D. Jakes(of Dallas, Founder of the Potter's House Mega-Church) will give the sermon for this morning's service. Yolonda Adams is set to perform, and The Rev. Otis Moss Jr (on the board of trustees for my school, former chair of the BoTs) will give the invocation.

8:57 AM: These ladies from Louisiana perform the "Obama Song": Son of a Gun, Crawfish Fun, we'll have fun on the Bayou...Son of a Gun, Crawfish Fun, We'll have fun on the MA-ALLL...kind of a cute little ditty...since they were older ladies from the Bayou.

9:15 AM: John Lewis shares what this means to him on CNN.

10:00 AM: The Obamas, and the Bidens, have left St. Johns Church, and crossed the street to have coffee with President and Mrs. Bush at the White House, America's House!!

11:40 AM: Rev. Rick Warren, of the Saddleback Church and Purpose Driven life Fame, offered the invocation.

11:46 AM: Aretha Franklin regales the assembly with America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)

11:58 AM: Joe Biden is sworn in by Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court.

12:00 PM: BARACK OBAMA Just Became President of the United States without the oath, according to the Constitution. Sen Dianne Fienstien, Chair of the Congressional inaugural Committee introduces a musical ensemble including Yo Yo Ma, the violinist.

12:05 PM: Chief Justice John Roberts swears in Senator Obama as the President!!

12:07 PM: Sen Fienstien Introduces to the world the 44th President of THESE UNITED STATES!!

12:08 PM: PRESIDENT Obama begins his speech:
Thanks Bush for service and Cooperation
He rebuffs those feeling the failure of the USA is eminent
He kinda tempers the feelings of those who see him as some savior, and tells
us that we will have to make sacrifices, avoid shortcuts, be courageous, and
take risks, get down and dirty to make these promises real.

12:13 PM: We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start the work of rebuilding America.
Affordable Health care, Energy reform, Education reform
Not is Government too big or too small...but is it efficient?? is it Transparent??

12:16 PM: we must not deny our principles in favor of safety in a false dilemma

12:19 PM: Our Patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness!

12:26 PM: We carried forth that great gift of Freedom!!!

12:27 PM: Elizabeth Alexander, Inaugural Poet: Praise song for the Day

12:32 PM: Rev. Joseph Lowery, co founder of the SCLC, gives the benediction...he used Lift every Voice, And Sing as the intro to his prayer! He prayed for Obama's success in this "high Office, and a low Moment!" He prayed to get rid of the exploitation of the poor, the least of these...and rid us of the favor of the rich, the ELITE of these!

12:38 PM: the National Anthem

1:03 PM: President Obama signs official nomination papers, and a declaration of national renewal. the cabinet Secretary Designates are now officially Nominees.

1:27 PM: The Congressional leadership enters Statuary hall,

1:28 PM: The Vice President and Mrs. Biden enter Statuary Hall

1:29 PM: The President and Mrs. Obama enter Statuary hall, for the congressional luncheon.

1:34 PM: The Blessing for the Congressional Luncheon is said, cameras are no longer allowed in...the luncheon is private for it's 200 guests.

1:54 PM: President and Mrs. Bush leave Andrews Air Force Base for their new life and home in Dallas, TX aboard a private jet.

2:00 PM: I got a phone call...missed everything else