Election Reflection

Now that there's been a little separation time from the inauguration, I thought looking back at this historic week would be a nice way to end the weekend, and what better way to do it than via blog entry.

I imagine that when we look back at the inauguration of Barack Obama, people will ask that age old question "where were you?" much as people do for important events, be they tragic, disastrous, or awe-inspiring. And sadly, my answer will be "in a meeting that ran 40 minutes over." That answer kind of makes me want to pound my fist into the wall, but I don't think that will actually change what happened (maybe if I punch really hard...) While much of the country gathered around a tv or computer screen to watch and listen to the 44th president's speech, I was inwardly fuming at my superiors' ignorance.

I think what missing Obama's inauguration live (I've since watched him give the speech online) made me realize most is the difference between experiencing a presidential election in college and in the working world. Although many of my friends' experiences last Tuesday differ from my own, I know that had I been attending class, I would have not only listened to the speech, but also dissected, analyzed, been handed assignments based on this analysis, and most importantly, reveled in the awesomeness of inauguration day. Although I was not quite as excited about the inauguration of the last president, I know that the opportunity was not lost for learning. And I also know that those around me took time to experience the days on which President Bush was elected and inaugurated.

I also became painfully aware of how exasperating it was to experience an occassion as momentous as the inauguration of Barack Obama without my closest friends. During the last election we laughed, cried, debated each other, and watched every moment, together. This time around I felt like something was missing.

If I was in charge of creating federal holidays, I'd deem inauguration day as one. That way those who want to experience the day as they want to can do so, and those who could care less can do that too--at home.