Let it snow....

FIRST SNOW!! This was my first time ever seeing snow physically fall (don’t laugh). Too bad this didn’t happen on a weekend, instead I had to learn quick how to commute in it.

(took this on my commute home today)

This is what I learned about snow today:

• Do not wear uggs when walking in snow…no traction
• However ugly, hats are a girl’s best friend
• The salt is there to HELP
• Snow does melt once on your clothes
• A little more convenient than rain
• AND SNOW IS BEAUTIFUL…stop and enjoy it

Cough Cough

I’m sick. All of my fun has caught up to me. I think the 8 hours in 15-degree weather did it in for me! It was all for you, Barack Obama.

The one good thing about being sick, I am finally able to get this blog up and running.

The Youth Ball

Tuesday night I was fortunate enough to attend the MTV Youth Ball. This was an official Ball hosted by the Presidential Inaugural committee. Even though I was exhausted, I kept my post up against the railing to the left side of the stage and had a perfect view for when Barack and Michelle came out to their first dance! I was beautiful.

I know it’s chessy, but their chemistry was true. They were both taking in the whole experience and having fun with it and each other. Best quote of the night: when after finished dancing, President Obama says…and I quote “Now that’s what we call ‘old school’”. Priceless!

(how cute...right?)

Also..check out my TV debut. To quote Ryan, "Its the first time a Gannon has be on tv without using the term Knucklehead."

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/333666/amen-live.jhtml#type=32&id=1603133

I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear...

Inauguration was cold but historic and completely worth it. A takeaway for how I physically felt that day: I do not think I have ever been so cold in my life nor among so many people.


(me, amanda, and her sister at inauguration)

Time line of the day:

*I woke up at 3:30 am with only about an hour of sleep. At this point, my body was running on pure adrenaline since I had no idea what that day had in store for me.
*We finally got out the door around 4:30 am. I was dressed in thermal leggings, jeans, then waterproof sweats over, 2 pairs of socks and then uggs, a long-sleeved shirt, puffy snowboarding jacket, and then my heavy winter coat, snow gloves, a scarf AND a hat.
*I tried to smash everything I needed into my pockets so I didn’t need a purse. We also brought with us a blanket just incase we could sit down for a few (we didn’t) and some water and granola bars if we got hungry or thirsty (it was too cold and we didn’t). I felt like the Michelin man.

So we left also armed with a map of the best route to get to the Capital since half of the streets in DC were shut down. The streets had an eerie quiet. There were sporadic groups of people making their way to the Capital. There were also groups of about 3 to 4 National Guard troops on practically every other corner and army trucks blocking off streets. You felt like the city was on lock-down. Then you had had to remind yourself that this was a celebration!

Once we got to the mall is where the confusion and chaos started. We ended up walking too far into the non-ticketed section and then were fenced from going further. After finally finding a National Guardsman to ask directions, we made our way out. It was about 5 am by this time and there were groups of hundreds of people EVERYWHERE you looked. It is impossible to try and describe.

After asking for more directions a bunch of times we made it to our ticketed gates. Now we only had about 2 ½ hours to wait until they opened those gates for us to go through security and then we could go inside and wait another 3 hours.

(our final location)

After 2 ½ hours of telling myself phrases like “no, you are NOT cold, Krisse” and “this IS history you are experiencing”, the line slowly started moving through security. We got through and rushed to find the best location. Frankly, we weren’t looking for the best view of the platform, we had learned from the concert, seeing a jumbotron was your most realistic bet. We were about 5 or 6 people deep right behind the last seated crowd. It kind of felt like we were the “common folk” gated off from those people with seats who didn’t have to wait in line since 5 AM. Barbaric nature at it’s finest! Anyways, as you can see in the pictures, we technically could see the platform that would hold Obama, even if he would only be a dot on it and have tree branches covering most of it!

That’s another thing. Everywhere at all the various events, bare tree branches blocked my view of jumbo trons and viewing stands. If Berkeley has taught me anything….chop those trees down!

(trees everywhere!)

Once inside, time went by fast. I began talking to all the people around me about their personal inauguration stories. I met a barber from Ohio, a woman from Michigan, and a couple from New Orleans. Like I mentioned about the concert, there was a real sense of community at the inauguration. Everyone was cold and miserable, but at the same time wanted to get to know each other. It was not the time to be sheltered or isolated, it was a time to rejoice in America and your neighbor.

The actual inauguration went by super fast. I especially enjoyed, obviously, watching President Obama give his inauguration address. A few times, I would zone out because I would be thinking about how cold my hands were outside of my gloves (with heat packs!) clutching my metal camera, but then President Obama would grab you back in with a plan for his next four years and you would fall back into listening.

(picture of the jumbo tron)

It was also inspiring to experience the speech with an older African American woman who came a long way that week and in her lifetime to see that speech. As she muttered “yes” to what he was saying, I realized that even though I thought this moment meant a lot to me, Obama’s swearing in gave this woman SO MUCH MORE.

All in all, I am so fortunate to be able to attend the inauguration. Along with being one of the most painful experiences in my life, it was also one that I will remember forever. No matter your political affiliation, there have only been 56 inaugurations ever, and I was at one. That is so cool!
(I'm happy to be there...even if my face is saying "I'm so cold!!")


***CHECK OUT MY PICTURES... Click this link: http://gallery.me.com/kgannon/100019****

Concerts of all Concerts

Today is the kickoff to Inauguration weekend. I went to the concert of a lifetime. There was an estimated 700,000 people there filling up the area around the reflection pool and then all the way up to the Washington Monument. We had a pretty good spot about halfway down the pool right below a speaker and Jumbo-tron.

(look at all the people, and that was just in front of us...there were at least double this behind us)

I had such a great time. The atmosphere was electrifying. Everyone was there to celebrate Barack Obama. It was about 30 degrees, but being packed together kept you warm. People were definitely very relaxed, sitting on blankets getting to know the other people around you. Everyone was there for a good time and we definitely got that!

The line up was a once in a lifetime. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Beyonce preformed to celebrate. My favorite moment came with Garth Brooks first sang American Pie and then sang “Shout” in which everyone broke out Wedding Crashers style jumping in the air singing.

(me and my roommates at the concert)

**More pictures will be lumped with my other inauguration pictures in the following post**

First Week of my Internship

So it is the end of my first week of interning for Senator Dianne Feinstein. It has been a lot of what I expected but also some eye opening experiences. The biggest eye opener is how big the office is and what really goes in to day-to-day operations. Since Senator Feinstein is the senior Senator from the largest state she has the biggest office on the Hill. There are about 45 employees and her office is two stories!

My day is organized so I help both with administrative tasks such as phones and answering scheduling requests and the other half helping the transportation Legislative Assistant. The transportation LA both develops transportation policy for the Senator while also analyzing the current legislation on the floor. In addition to helping do research, I answer constituent letter that are concerned about transportation issues.

It amazes me that each letter sent to the Senator gets a careful response. There is not a stock letter sent to each person writing in about an issue, but an individual response based on their concerns. This is one of my favorite things about the Federal government. As much as it may seem that they do not care about your concerns or thoughts, they really are taken down and into consideration. Yes, the Senator has more foresight to see if your thoughts are a reality when coupled with a million other problems related to that problem, but at least they are considered. Ordinary people really are involved.

If it hasn’t been evident from the other post, I love Capital Hill! It is a mesmerizing place with so much history, tradition and inspiring events going on that I am constantly amazed by what happens daily. A nice thing about having a group of about 15 interns, is when there is down time we are able to go off and experience a debate on the floor or a confirmation hearing.

It is crazy to see politicians walking along the same hallway or talking on the Senate Floor. On Thursday, we went and saw the Senate farewell speeches for Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton. It was the human side of the farewells that was inspiring. Seeing Senator Barbara Boxer crying because of Biden’s remarks about his family and seeing Republicans also in attendance to pay tribute to the work both Biden and Clinton had done for the Senate helped to bring down these great figures to a human level.

End of my first week

I have used this past week to unpack and get adjusted to the city. It was nice not having to rush right into work, but first get acquainted with the city before the craziness of Inauguration begins. I have spent the last few days being a complete tourist. We did the Capital tour then walked to the White House. Saw the Washington Monument and World War II memorial another day and then walked along the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. We also went to the National Air and Space Museum.

(my first meal I cooked in my apartment. It was pasta..fancy, I know)

While walking all over the city, I realized a lot of things I love about DC.

1. The layout of DC is innovative and the best I have ever seen. The fact that from the Washington Monument you can see the White House in one direction, the Capital in another and the Lincoln Memorial in another is breathtaking. From all points in the city, I feel like you can see other historical monuments, things explaining a little bit more about the history of the US.
2. I love the metro system. It is efficient and can take you most places. It runs on time and I don’t understand why one would not take it.
3. I love that most museums are free in the City. They want you to visit them and learn from the exhibits. Since funded by the government, it is not about making money, but making sure people learn. There is something most corporations can learn from.

**Make sure to check out my photos from this week. On http://gallery.me.com/kgannon#100017.

Just finished my first full day in DC. After getting orientation out of the way early in the morning, it was time for one of those big group sightseeing adventures. I’m not going to lie, I was a little apprehensive about participating since I had only had about 4 hours of sleep and still needed to do a million things to finish getting settled in my new city. But I ended up going and am glad I did.

Today turned out to be exactly what I needed to jumpstart my next four months in Washington, DC. The premise for the trip was a visit to the National Archives, which houses all of the important documents in our nation’s history including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I hopped onto my first metro train and made my way with 70 strangers to see these historical documents.

Visiting the National Archives was definitely a great way to start my stay. Being able to see in person the documents that shaped what our government continues to do today made me realize that over 200 years ago a group of men sat down and came up with what would be needed for a successful government. They created a democracy away from the crown in which people were their own rulers. In this new democracy people have true representation along with a say in what their government and elected officials do for them, not just for the privileged. This last point is why I came to Washington, DC in the first place and why I see public service as important direction of my life. You are the connection to actually use your governmental resources to help people.

Every once in a while, all Americans need to step back and remember that the success of the United States of America is miraculous and should not be taken for granted. Now with our 44th President and 111th session of Congress, our country has seen a lot, but one thing has not changed. We still govern under the same guiding principles created by our founding fathers far before they could imagine problems that divide us today such as a war over oil, abortion and same sex marriage.

From the National Archives, a group of us decided to walk to the Capital and wander around there also visiting the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the surrounding office buildings. It was amazing not only to see buildings shown nightly on CNN up close, but also to witness once again a place of so much history.

This day was the best possible way to begin my trip. I got to see the beginning of our nation’s history as well as the centerpiece of our country, the Capital. Having this foundation really did help give me perspective of the city, our country and a great point of view to begin my internship.