Just curious, is anyone in the DC, MD, VA (even PA) area going to be in DC for the inauguration? -OR- Is anyone renting out a room, house, condo, apartment, etc. to someone who is?
Lately, those of us around here have been joking about the second more than the first.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
You're from DC? I live in Alexandria and have been wanting to go to the inauguration, but no one has tickets and half the people are leaving town to avoid it all.
What are you going to do?
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
I'm a Marylander transplanted to NY for school. Parents wanted to go but decided against it.
--j_k
Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :
quote:Originally posted by katharina: You're from DC? I live in Alexandria and have been wanting to go to the inauguration, but no one has tickets and half the people are leaving town to avoid it all.
What are you going to do?
I actually live in Baltimore, but it's so close, ya know? A friend of mine lives in Alexandria, though. Such great atmosphere! Anyhow, it's probably better to try to avoid it. Eight years ago I was there for the parade, and it was one of the only times when people seemed more than happy to wait in line at a Starbucks, simply because they had heat.
What are normal communters doing as far as work that day? I can only imagine how packed out the Metro and trains will be.
quote:Originally posted by James Tiberius Kirk: I'm a Marylander transplanted to NY for school. Parents wanted to go but decided against it.
--j_k
Probably a good idea.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Federal employees have the day off.
Since I live within walking distance, I plan on walking and taking lots of warming devices. I really don't want to go by myself, though, except the usual political suspects are going out of town.
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
The Richmond, VA train station had a warning note up weeks ago to tell people that they don't think there's going to be any parking spaces available in the station parking lot on Inauguration Day...
Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :
quote:Originally posted by katharina: Federal employees have the day off.
Since I live within walking distance, I plan on walking and taking lots of warming devices. I really don't want to go by myself, though, except the usual political suspects are going out of town.
Ah, okay. I wasn't sure. We just got a email about certain places being closed (we've got a DC office as well as one in Tyson's Corner) but nothing all-inclusive like that. And I honestly hadn't checked into it. Smart move.
That is very convenient, living so close! Be safe and warm!
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I'm in Fairfax, and trying to decide if I want to work from home or not that day. My office is right by the the Vienna metro, and I have a feeling it's going to be a circus there on Tuesday as people circle around the area looking for parking spots.
If I work from home, I'll probably see about heading into the district in the evening to participate in the festivities; if not, I'll probably just go home, since I've got dogs that need long walks.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I'm curious... is the amount of fanfare about this inauguration typical of inaugurations? I expect that the excitement is more than usual--but are there usually this many balls, parades, ceremonies, etc.? I thought it was just the swearing-in ceremony, and I would have supposed there would be some sort of dinner afterward.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I don't know about this many, but there are usually at least a dozen or so major balls and there is always a parade.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
There are normally a lot of events surrounding an inauguration. I don't know if there are more this time or not, but I do remember the Clintons going to multiple inauguration balls in 1992. So that's not that unusual.
I'm in Maryland but I'm planning on staying home. I hate 270 on a normal day, so heading down it with larger than normal hordes of people for the inauguration isn't something I really want to do.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I live in Annapolis. I am a teacher in PG County, and they decided to close schools. I plan on sleeping in late, taking my dog for a very long walk, read by the fireplace, and fix a nice dinner for my wife. Then I may stay up late and catch the highlights on the news. If I am feeling naughty I will catch them on The Daily Show.
Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :
This message just popped up in the inbox: The Baltimore Sun has published an article outlining the City's preparations for Barack Obama's visit to Baltimore on Saturday, January 17. Tens of thousands of people are expected for Obama's speech at 4:15 pm. The traffic and transit related issues reported in the article are as follows: I-83 will be closed in both directions from President Street to North Avenue between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 17. The Shot Tower/Market Place Metro Station will be closed on Saturday until the event ends due to its location within the security perimeter. Shuttles originally planned from Camden Yards parking lots to the War Memorial have been cancelled. Parkers are encouraged to either walk to the War Memorial or take public transit. MTA busses will be rerouted and diverted, though the specifics are still being worked out. Regardless, the Sun reports that the city bus lines are probably the best way to get to the War Memorial on Saturday. Additionally, the City is making the harbor area an overflow for the event at the War Memorial with outdoor screens and sound. Area restaurants and cultural venues are encouraged to broadcast the speech to relieve overcrowding at the War Memorial, so be sure to check in with restaurants and venues when planning your trip into Downtown. And that's just in Baltimore.
I have heard (totally rumor here) that more people are expected than in past years, but what truth there is in that, I don't know. I do know that in previous years I never picked up on talk about people renting out rooms or their houses as far north as Central Pennsylvania.
Sounds like a good plan, Stephan!
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
And to think I was considering going to The Comedy Club in Baltimore this weekend thinking it would be safe, thanks the warning! Maybe I will visit the parents in Ocean City. Obama's not planning on going there is he?
Posted by ambyr (Member # 7616) on :
I live five blocks from the U.S. Capitol building. My plans for the inauguration involve being as far from home as I can manage. Listening from my bedroom to the outdoor loudspeaker tests over the past couple of months has been enough fun; I don't need to be there for the real thing.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
quote:Originally posted by Traceria:
quote:Originally posted by katharina: You're from DC? I live in Alexandria and have been wanting to go to the inauguration, but no one has tickets and half the people are leaving town to avoid it all.
What are you going to do?
I actually live in Baltimore, but it's so close, ya know? A friend of mine lives in Alexandria, though. Such great atmosphere! Anyhow, it's probably better to try to avoid it. Eight years ago I was there for the parade, and it was one of the only times when people seemed more than happy to wait in line at a Starbucks, simply because they had heat.
What are normal communters doing as far as work that day? I can only imagine how packed out the Metro and trains will be.
quote:Originally posted by James Tiberius Kirk: I'm a Marylander transplanted to NY for school. Parents wanted to go but decided against it.
--j_k
Probably a good idea.
My mom, however, still has to work in DC on Tuesday. Not sure how that's gonna work.
--j_k
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by katharina: You're from DC? I live in Alexandria and have been wanting to go to the inauguration, but no one has tickets and half the people are leaving town to avoid it all.
What are you going to do?
There are tickets? I thought it was free... do people have to pay to see the inauguration?
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
There are tickets for seating. Going and standing on the Mall is free.
I hate crowds. We went downtown for the Fourth of July fireworks several years ago--getting there was great (Metro from Vienna), being there was fun, getting back was nightmarish.
Throw in January weather to the mix and there is no way I'm going to attempt it. I'll probably watch parts on TV.
I have several friends who are going, though--even some with tickets.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
I'm happy to enjoy the moment on TV, and because of the time difference, I can do so at home at the end of the day.
Does anyone know of an online resource for watching the proceedings- preferably live? I'm always annoyed that none of the major networks seem to simulcast their feed online, (why not?) and instead they've got stupid "web-feeds" that are actually just low-rent practice reporting for would-be anchors. I like the idea, but I also want to see the real feed.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
I'm pretty sure the BBC is doing some kind of feed, and I'd bet CSPAN will too.
--j_k
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
A friend of mine who teaches in a small (primarily African-American) school in NC tells me that some of the other teachers are taking a busload of students to DC.
They do not have hotel reservations, tickets, or (in her opinion, anyway) sufficient budget for food. We worry that they are going to end up stuck in Virginia somewhere . . . Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: A friend of mine who teaches in a small (primarily African-American) school in NC tells me that some of the other teachers are taking a busload of students to DC.
They do not have hotel reservations, tickets, or (in her opinion, anyway) sufficient budget for food. We worry that they are going to end up stuck in Virginia somewhere . . .
Have you gotten any update on their travels?
A friend of mine was planning to meet up yesterday with some girls from her college that were coming into town for today. They told her they got a hotel room equidistant from Baltimore and DC. Somehow, they missed the fact that equidistant means equal distances from and ended up 2 hours from both cities. C. was not happy.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I speak with this friend every month or two. Don't expect an update anytime soon.
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