Today my country inaugurated its 44th president, Barak Obama.I really wanted to watch it live with other Americans, so I looked on the web to see where this might be happening. There was one gathering of expat democrats at an upscale club where you needed tickets months in advance. (Scratch that). Then there was another gathering at a local Hawaiian bar that wanted to celebrate the first Hawaiian president. But alas I fear the tropical drink. So I settled on a gathering at Rhodes House (check out the interactive map of the complex). First lesson of the day, Cecil Rhodes had a $^!&*-load of money. Quite a house it is (as compared to the rest of Oxford which is so modest. NOT). They had a huge projection TV set up in one of the large public rooms.Most of the people there were students, and many were American. It was a fun crowd to watch with.Everyone dutifully booed when Cheney came wheeling in looking oh so much like Mr. Potter from “It’s a wonderful life”. Everyone cheered when Michelle Obama showed up in her bright yellow dress. There was a rather strange moment when everyone laughed at the Queen of Soul singing “My Country 'tis of thee” which is sung to the tune of the British national anthem “God Save the Queen”. She is still wonderful, although she don’t quite sound like she used to.Some people looked like they were crying a bit when Obama took the oath of office. I loved his speech – but then again, I love everything he says. The Americans stood for the National Anthem at the end.Even though I am 3000 miles away, I still felt that I was part of a very important event in the history of my country.
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I was one of those people crying when Obama was sworn in. Actually, I was inwardly laughing a bit at the oath bungle, but I had tears on my face starting with Biden, 'cause I knew what was coming next. At long, long last!
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