I have a very large amount of pictures to post from the Inauguration. I have decided not to put them all in the same post. Plus, I only currently have my brother’s pics on my computer. So here they are!

This is the Capitol Building the day before.

Washington Monument the day before.

White House the day before.

Bus that decided it would be a good idea to try and drive down a street filled with people.

An ambulance that tried to do the same.

After my bro and his class realized they wouldn’t get into the mall, this guy climbed on top of a SWAT team van and started preaching about how everyone needs to embrace Jesus and let him into their lives. Then the cops made him get off.

Then, this other guy climbed up and started speaking about communism.

And, of course, here is the huge never ending line of porta-potties that must have been imported from multiple states.

My brother and his class did not even make it onto the mall for the Inauguration yesterday.  They went to a gate near the capitol at 4am or something, waited in line for hours, and then they closed the gate before they were able to get in.  My bro said it was completely unorganized.  Instead of getting to be on the mall, he and his class wandered around DC for a few hours and watched Obama’s speech on a TV through a restaurant window.  His teacher and one student (who had tickets) got into the mall, but that’s it.  My bro was incredibly disappointed and I can’t blame him.

My mom and sister on the other hand, had a great time.  They got into the mall near the Washington monument and while they were no where near the capitol building, they were able to watch on the jumbotrons and had fun.  My sister (who was wearing her Gryffindor scarf) even had her picture taken for a French newspaper.  Unfortunately, she doesn’t know which one.  The gate they entered through was very organized and they didn’t have to wait long.

Both my sister and my mom got pictures.  My mom’s are on a disposable camera (old school, I know) and my sister’s are on her digital camera.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get some of hers soon.  Might have to wait a while for my mom’s pictures, though.

Where were you when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001?  Where were you when the tsunami hit?  When Hurricane Katrina hit?  When the London underground was bombed?  I, along with many other people of this generation can answer those questions in a blink of an eye.

I was in French class when the planes hit.  At home when the tsunami hit.  On vacation at a resort in Pennsylvania when Hurricane Katrina hit.  On my way to driver’s ed when the underground was bombed.

The night Barack Obama was elected is another one of those ‘Where were you when…?’ type of things.  I was in my dorm room, talking on the phone with my family, when it was announced that he won.  It is a night I will remember for my entire life.  It was my first presidential election, and the man I voted for won.

His inauguration is going to become yet another ‘Where were you when…?’ type of things.  We are all going to remember where we will be tomorrow when President-elect Obama becomes President Obama.  Whether you’ll be at work, at home, or lucky enough to be in Washington DC itself, you’ll remember.

This election is historic for many reasons.  The word historic has been used so many times it is quickly becoming cliche, but it still remains true.  I am not merely talking about the fact that Obama is African-American, either.  This also signifies the end of the Bush Administration, one that many of the country have deemed ‘the end of an error’.

Obama also did a wonderful job reaching the people.  He made the younger generation excited about voting.  I was excited about voting.  Whether this is due to his age or the mere fact that he is able to string a sentence together, I do not know.  The point is, is that this election had record turn-out at the voting booth.

The country is also deep in an economic crisis.  One that is reminding people of the Great Depression.  Franklin Roosevelt was elected during that and turned the country around.  Obama’s election is reminiscent of that.  Only time will tell whether Obama will turn the country around, but I believe he will.

No matter where you are tomorrow, think about the historic moment that is taking place in Washington DC at twelve noon.  Obama’s inauguration is significant in so many ways.  It is truly a ‘Where were you when…?’ moment.

At 8pm tonight, President Bush gave his final speech to the nation.  I did not watch it, mainly because I forgot.  However, I did read the Yahoo article about it, which had the highlights.

First, what would a Bush speech be without a Bushism?

“You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made, but I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions”

Yep, he went out with a classic Bushism.  Glad to know he was willing to make those tough decisions.  That was really keeping me up at night.

This next one caused me to burst out laughing.  It’s clear that Bush has never read Harry Potter.

“I have often spoken to you about good and evil.  This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise.”

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Sirius Black tells Harry “The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters [evil].”

I think I would have been disappointed if he didn’t give us a new Bushism in this last speech.

My brother, one of my sisters, and my mom are lucky enough to be able to go to DC for Obama’s Inauguration.  Security for the event is getting stricter by the day.  Since the historic moment is less than a week away, I thought it would be appropriate to list thirteen prohibited items for the day of the Inauguration.  Visit The Inauguration Website for more items.

1.  Strollers.  Yep, you’ll have to carry your kids if you bring them.

2.  Umbrellas.  Makes sense.  If everyone had an umbrella, people are going to poke each other’s eyes out.

3.  Backpacks.  Guess you can’t bring your homework to do while you’re standing around waiting.  What a shame.

4.  Firearms.  Well, that’s a given.

5.  Weapons.  Another given.

6.  Signs and posters.  Get a Support Obama t-shirt, don’t bring a Support Obama sign.

7.  Bags larger than 8″x6″x4″.  Break out a ruler before you decide on a purse to bring.

8.  Thermoses.  Guess you’ll have to buy your coffee down there.

9.  Sticks and poles.  And the reason for wanting to bring those would be…?

10.  Structures.  Er, all right…

11.  Bicycles.  It would be impossible to navigate a bike in DC on the 20th anyway.

12.  Animals (besides service animals).  Anyone who would consider bringing their non-helping dog to that chaos isn’t too bright.

13.  Alcoholic beverages.  Save your celebrating for after you go home.

And there’s even more on the website I linked to above.  It is certainly going to be a hectic day, but I still wish I got to go.  It would be so cool to attend this historic event.

The Thursday Thirteen website seems to not be available today, but I am posting a Thursday Thirteen anyway.   So, here are thirteen of my favorite  websites.  They are in no particular order and I have excluded my favorite blogs from the list.

1.  J.K. Rowling’s Website.  Not only is this the website of my favorite author, it is one of the best designed websites I have ever encountered.  It’s unique and interactive and I have spent hours at a time exploring it.  Plus, the little extra bits of Harry Potter information that are scattered throughout the site make any Harry Potter fan’s day.

2.  Broomsticks and Owls is the first Harry Potter related message board I ever joined.  I have been a member there for over two years now.  It has a very close-knit feeling to it, as it is very small.  But, we’re very welcoming to new members and always appreciate them!  I like all the Harry Potter forums I’m a member of, but this one will always be special to me.

3.  Petfinder.  Without Petfinder, we never would have found Benny, so that one is self-explanatory.  It is great to be able to look at listings for pets that are far away from your house.

4.  Harry Potter Fan Fiction.com is where I ‘publish’ my fan fiction and read numerous other wonderful stories.  I spend a lot of time there and it has definitely helped with my post Deathly Hallows Potter withdrawal.

5.  The Leaky Cauldron.  What can I say about Leaky?  Well, it is my favorite place to go for Harry Potter related news.  Plus, it has a forum and TLC is organizing a Harry Potter convention, which I plan on attending.

6.  Dogster.  Because any site where people can create profiles for their pets and then talk to other pet owners while pretending to be their pet is brilliant.

7.  Harry Potter Fan Fiction Forums.  As affiliated with #4.  It’s where all of us fan fic writers go to talk about our stories with people who actually get it.  Plus, if it weren’t for that forum, I am sure I never would have completed my NaNo.

8.  The Harry Potter Lexicon.  Despite the lawsuit between it’s owner, Steve Vander Ark and J.K. Rowling, I would be lying if I said this site wasn’t one of my favorites.  It’s an invaluable resource for fan fiction writers, who don’t want to spend hours leafing through the books to find out a tiny bit of information needed for a story.  However, I must note that I did not support Vander Ark’s side of the lawsuit.  A book form of this website is blatant copyright infringement and completely unfair to J.K. Rowling.

9.  Bored.com.  Anytime I have a few minutes to do absolutely nothing, I can always count on this site to provide me with useless entertainment.

10.  PotterCast.  Because what Harry Potter fan wouldn’t want to listen to an hour of Potter-related stuff once a week?  I won’t say much about PotterCast in this post, as I plan on devoting an entire post to it in the near future.

11.  MuggleNet Fan Fiction.  This was the first fan fiction website I came upon and it introduced me to what spawned into quite the addiction.  Although I like the way HarryPotterFanFiction is designed better, I still read stories on MNFF and enjoy every one of them.

12.  Capitol Steps.  The songs they have on this site are absolutely brilliant.  It’s a must visit for anyone interested in making fun of the hysterical people who run our country.  No politician is save from their parody skills.

13.  Things My Dog Ate.  This site is a must see for anyone who has a dog who destroys things.  It’ll make you laugh and probably feel better about the kind of destruction your dog inflicts upon your house.  Plus, Benny is on that site.

Anyone sensing a pattern with these?

My English homework the other day was to write about a person or group of people in society and their clothing choices/styles.  I decided to write about Sarah Palin since we previously talked about her in class and because it was the day after the election and I was still wanting to talk about politics.

I was thinking about her expensive clothing and how I could subtly insult her policies and views in my assignment without making it too obvious (even though I know my professor is liberal), as I opened up my word processor and typed out the heading.  I started typing my name and instead of writing my own last name, I wrote ‘Palin’.  So, my assignment said ‘Sarah Palin’ instead of ‘Sarah *********’.  I stared at the screen and then quickly deleted the ‘Palin’ part.

To say that freaked me out would be an understatement.  Ever since I first became aware of Palin’s views, I have detested the fact that she has the same name as I do.  I seriously hope I do not do that ever again.

Well, it’s official!  Barack Obama has been elected the new president of the United States!  I am beyond happy about this.  We will finally end the 8 year error that was President Bush.

Congratulations to Obama and Biden!

And the best part is, Sarah Palin can go back to Alaska.  Where she can, you know, keep an eye on Russia for us.

Tomorrow very well may be one of the most important days in history.  The way I see it, after tomorrow, we will know whether we’ll have four more years of Conservative politics or the change this country needs.  Therefore, it is incredibly important to go vote tomorrow!  Unless of course you’re Canadian or British or not 18 yet, or some combination of that.

Even if you think your vote doesn’t count, vote anyway!  By voting, you not only are participating in democracy, but you are also ensuring your ability to complain about the politicians.  It really bugs me when people complain about the way the country is ran, but don’t vote because ‘their vote doesn’t count’.  It makes me wonder what would happen if everybody who didn’t vote because ‘their vote doesn’t count’ actually took the time to vote this year.

Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, Conservative or Liberal, Pro-choice or Pro-Life, whatever.  Go and vote.  I’ve actually already voted because I had to do an absentee ballot this year.  I know I’ll be spending tomorrow evening with my eyes glued to the TV, waiting to find out how your votes added up and who will be running the nation for the next four years.

On the most recent Saturday Night Live debate, Senator McCain has informed the nation that he will cut taxes using a hatchet, scalpel, and plunger.  A magical plunger to be exact.  And who does that plunger belong to?  Joe the Plumber, of course.  McCain also announced that he will create a new cabinet position of Secretary of Plumbing, to be filled by Joe the Plumber.  His friend, Senator Simon, will not have a cabinet level position because Simon is a unicorn.

Those are amongst the many highlights of the SNL debate.  I personally enjoy these debates much more than the regular ones.  They are absolutely hilarious.  I highly recommend watching all three presidential debates and the vice presidential debate, which can all be found on NBC’s website.  I am sure they will help you figure out who to vote for.