The First Few Minutes of the Big Day

I watched the clock turn to midnight and toasted to the first day of a new American experience, and to the very end of the last full day of George W. Bush's country. I drank whiskey, the same stuff that I buried myself in on election night four years ago.

I am in Washington DC and the last few days have been phenomenal, to say the least. I am sorry for not having written yet. As of tonight I'm dialed in to the wireless at the house I'm staying, and after tomorrow afternoon I'll have a lot more time to try to translate this giant, gorgeous feeling. This is already an elegant city, but it is absolutely electric right now. If you have been watching any of the news networks, I think TV's not doing it justice.

A few observations before I go to bed:

Press people are jaded as hell, but they are really excited and trying to hide it, so it makes for some serious awkwardness in conversation.

People from around the world aren't just happy about Obama, they are elated. Besides that, they are proud of the American people. Imagine that.

There is some very serious race and class disparity in this city, and that makes for some extremely tough and angry areas. Right now, even in the worst neighborhoods, even the gangsters are doffing hats and being really friendly to the influx of travelers. The locals are stunned about this, and I think many of them are taking a long look at what they think is true about their neighbors.

It's close to 12:30, and I am due to start walking to the capitol in about 5 hours. I have so much more to add here, along with lots of pictures. Thanks again to all of you who helped me to get here. I knew it would be special, but I had no idea it would be this wonderful.

Goodnight from Obama Eve,
alaska

Does everything have its own council?

My friend Cynthia tipped me off to the ruckus that surrounded a little chili dog restaurant in DC this weekend-- Ben's Chili Bowl, where people went ballistic cus Obama had a hot dog. I'm not particularly fond of chili, but holy jesus, I'm all over this. Check out this press release I just found from the Hot Dog and Sausage Council (!!!):

"
Sunday, January 11, 2009

National Hot Dog & Sausage Council Says President-Elect Obama’s Historic Trip to Famous DC Hot Dog Restaurant Reflects Excellent and All-American Taste in Cuisine

Washington, DC – President-Elect Barack Obama’s visit to the DC landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl for a half-smoke yesterday reflects his excellent and all-American taste in cuisine.

According to National Hot Dog & Sausage Council President Janet M. Riley. “His stop yesterday shows that while the most sophisticated chefs in America may be vying for his palate, American hot dogs and sausages were the ‘wieners’ this weekend in Washington.”

"

How can I get the job writing press releases for the National Hot Dog AND Sausage Council? Do you think this Riley person did a giant cartoon wink after that awesome pun? I have to go to this place immediately. There are simply too many opportunities for wiener jokes to pass this one up.

It's really happening!

This thing that seemed like such a faraway idea 2 months ago is actually happening! I bought my plane ticket and I'm leaving for DC on Thursday for ten days. That seems like a pretty long time, but it means I'll be there long enough to get a real taste of this place that's not going to be like anywhere else in the world for the next two weeks.




I've been following the news very closely, and it seems like the Inauguration is going to be utterly insane. They (You know, THEY) are saying that the city is expecting 4 million people. I've been thinking about it, and I really have no concept of what that number means. It's so big it's abstract. What does that many people sound like? And what does it feel like to be in a crowd of people that huge when you all have something important in common? When Paul and I saw Prince at Coachella, that was about 400,000 people, and the energy that a crowd even that large creates is unbelievable. I'm looking forward to trying to wrap my head around it while I'm there.

Here is a million people at a free Rolling Stones show in Brazil:

So that, times 4? Jesus!


This is where they want us all to fit-- the green area is the Mall:




I'm going to be blogging here a lot more often in the next two weeks, and doing my best to keep this promise to you and to myself to document it all the best I can. I wanted to liveblog from the Mall on the 20th, but I'm seeing that the whole area might be a dead zone that day. I hope the cellular servers get that figured out before it's a total disconnected nightmare.

I want to thank everybody again who has donated so far-- you guys helped me to take a good bite out of my goal and helped make this thing a reality. I'm working on a really good and inspired mix CD for each of you, as promised, and I've already figured out a really great souvenir to bring back for each of you. The offer still stands for any new donations, as anything right now to help me raise another 200 in the next week would be amazing!

Thank you so much-- I'll keep checking in with weird developments until the plane takes off, and then some. So excited!!!!

Soon!
alaska

Gettin' Closer

First of all, thank you so, so much to those of you who have donated to my adventure. I'll send more specific thanks right here when I get back, because I want to be able to send lots of love to everyone who is helping me along the way.

You have helped me to raise $113 so far! Thank you so much!! I'm hoping to raise at least another $400 in the next 20 days.

To be honest, there are times that I feel a little bit embarrassed telling anyone that I'm asking for anything. I've always been that way, though. It is a truly incredible thing to have anybody help you out with a strange and wonderful pipe dream at a time like this.

Remember, I'll make you a mix CD and bring you a souvenir from DC, and I'm also preparing to hand-deliver your questions and concerns and comments and random objects to your congressperson (provided they are all in town, but I think they will be for inauguration week).
I'll also be blogging about the adventure here, and possibly live blogging on Twitter (depending on my ability to have my BlackBerry at the ceremony. We'll see).

I'm also willing to offer my services as an English tutor and/or editor, and an expert gift wrapper for whatever you are willing to donate. I am planning on a big rockin' yardsale at my house this weekend or next, depending on rain. And, if you don't think this is stupid, I may put a few donation boxes around. I'm also sending an essay to Oprah. Not kidding.

We're on the way! Thank you for all your help so far!!

love
alaska

Doing the Impossible

I want to go to the President Obama's inauguration more than I can possibly express, and I'm trying to make that a reality. I have to raise $600 in 30 days to make this happen. Will you help me?

But Why?
I have a very clear memory of being in the bathtub when I was three years old, memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution. It was a small act for a little girl who couldn't quite read yet, but my mom couldn't have known all that memory would mean to me, especially now that she's gone.

And I remember the fearful late night talks with my dad when George W. Bush was inaugurated 8 years ago. He raised me on newspapers and C-Span and Reagan-era politics alongside history and stories of his own immigrant parents. He believed deeply in the ideals of America: justice, tranquility, liberty, and all that his parents had found here. And on January 20, 2000, we both sat with our faces in our hands. And in 2004, we cried together on the phone. That was the only time I ever heard my father cry.

To say that I'm celebrating the new dawn of American politics in my parents' honor isn't enough. They were incredibly idealistic people, and they taught me to guide my whole life on the principles of the common good. That has directed the work I do, the person I am, the way I hope to treat my friends... everything. And for me, politics is not just a bunch of babbling heads on cable; it is the guts and the mire of our effort and our intentions as Americans.


But how?
The inauguration this January 20th is about 2,600 miles away. In tough times like these, that might as well be a different planet. I am going to try to raise $600 in the next 30 days to cover the cost of airfare and minor transportation expenses in Washington DC. I have already written to my congressman to request my ticket to the inauguration, and I was apparently the first person in the 44th district to do that so it's looking good.

If I can make this happen, I will:
-Make everyone who donates anything an election-themed mix of music that you will really like, with a handmade cover.
-Make a limited edition zine about the adventure and give you a numbered copy.
-Bring you a souvenir from DC that you will probably really like.
-REPRESENT for Riverside.
-Hand deliver your letters and messages to your congressman and/or your senator. I really will do this, so make them good.
-Write faithfully about the experience here, and take a mazillion pictures.
-And I will really, really appreciate it so much, and show my love in a million different ways toward you and all of humanity for as long as I am able.

Thank you so much for your help!!!!!

Love
alaska
s.alaska.whelan@gmail.com