The theater in the Student Union opened up to broadcast the CNN feed of the Inauguration. I'm between classes, so I went in to watch.

The room was packed, beyond capacity. Every seat was full, the aisles were full, the back was full, there were groundlings at the foot of the stage. The atmosphere was electric.

The crowd applauded the opening performances, to my amusment. Clapping is, on the face, a reward for a fine performance; but Yo Yo Ma and Yitzak Pearlman could certainly not hear Buffalonians clapping! Such is human nature.

Aretha Franklin was not very good. It's cold out, and she's not exactly a spring chicken anymore. It didn't seem like she was shorting notes for style, it seemed like she didn't have the lungs to sustain a note anymore. The classical quartet was very good. It sounded like the arrangement was new for the event. Although John Williams? I was halfway expecting a triumphant march.

At noon, the announcers broke in to point out that Obama was now president, even without the oath, per the Twentieth Amendment. The Student Union crowd cheered, but quickly quieted to hear the music. Then came the oaths of office- everyone stood up, as requested. When the new president finished his oath, pandemonium.

I stayed for the president's speech, which was magesterial. Throughout the campaign, there was talk of his oratorical skills, but this is the first time I've seen him speak. His delivery was excellent, and especially the second half was very well written.

The official poem was not exciting, but then I hate almost all poetry. I was wondering about the benediction, because I'd heard the preacher interviewed last night on NPR, and he seemed funny. He didn't disappoint me!

Good stuff. Hail to the Chief, and a think regardless of our political views, we can wish him success for the coming years.

Posted by: Boviate at 01:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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