Obama acceptance speech excerpts...

Just got in out of the cold. Gonna watch the parade inside while drinking hot cider.

The whole event was moving and touching. Its not too often that you have 2 million + people packed into a 2-3 mile area all focused, intently and emotionally on what is being said on the jumbo screens broadcasting from the capitol building.

Here are a collection of the best quotes (I thought) from Obama's speech (the full version can be found here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7840646.stm):

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - that a nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself;

Inauguration: What to expect?...

So today is the big day! Today is THE MOMENT!

The most important speech of Obama's Presidency (arguably).

Will he speak words that will one day be carved in stone today? Or will he (as the religious fanatics and zealots here would have you believe) formally announce that he, the anti-christ has arrived and begin breathing fire and brimstone?

Haha, JOKE.



The gates open at 9 and the event formally starts at 1130. Its 815 now, just enough time for me to get my coffee and granola and head down there. When I return, the course of history will be ever slightly more determined.

Famous quotes from inauguration speeches:

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" -JFK

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself" -FDR

Ok, those are the only two that I actually know.

Day 2: MLK Day The excitement builds...

I walked from Union Station to the Supreme Court and then the full length of the Mall at which point my camera battery died!!

Still, I took lots of photos which I will provide the link for as soon as they are all together in one place. But again, above you have a taste of what I took today.


Nothing major going on for the public today. Obama is busy doing some community service painting houses etc.

I feel incredibly lucky to be witnessing this moment firsthand. People have come here from all over the US, and everyone is in such a happy mood! No matter if Obama fails to do all the policy changes that he has set forth challenging himself at the very least he has truly inspired, restored faith in the system, and re-invigorated the masses. As his campaign decrees, he has fundamentally shifted the perception and perspective of alot of people in this country .




And as the photo above shows, perhaps his election hasnt been bad for the economy either.

DC Day 1 Thoughts

How can he fulfill the expectations?

Had a good talk with Zeke and Sara last night about just how high the expectations are for Obama. The great Montreal Canadiens goalie, in 1971 immediately following the Stanley Cup playoffs, Ken Dryden ( who as a rookie goaltender led to the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup victory) said that he knew that no matter what happened the rest of his career, he had already done what he would be remembered for.

The same can be said about Obama. No matter what happens in his presidency, he has likely already done what he will be remembered for.

Obama Inauguration in DC part end of day 1

So after having a short lunch and coffee we wandered through the crowds down 17 street to the national mall area. Stopped by the White House where preparations are busily underway to set up the viewing area from which the new President Obama will view the Inauguration parade.

We continued on to the actual concert area (I took plenty of photos which will be posted up shortly) and entered the crowd which was packed from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Memorial (a distance of approx 2 miles).

U2, Beyonce and Bruce Sprinsteen performed (unfortunately to my grave disappointment we missed Shakira and a Tom Hanks speech), and then, the pinnacle moment President elect Obama took the stage.

The crowd was in awe, I'm not certain that everyone expected or knew that he would speak. Obama reiterated his campaign principles and stuck to the thematic undertones of his entire campaign, that republicans, democrats, young and old, whites, blacks, hispanics, and asians, gay or straight, disabled or non-disabled, all can work together to perfect the Union and reinvigorate the American dream.

I took plenty of photos of THIS particular moment, which will be posted shortly on my facebook profile and subsequently on here as well. Needless to say, the crowd was in awe. And the diversity of the attentive crowd shows that in fact, Obama's inspirational words do cross all boundaries.

Onw interesting note is that I did not see American flag waving all over the place as I might have expected. I wonder why?

More to follow...

Travels in DC: Obama Inauguration Week "Operation Catch the Moment"

Ok so this is the first of many (at least once per day) entries that I plan on doing while I am here in Washington DC for Obama's inauguration. I spontaneously bought a flight ticket online two days ago, and, after waking up at 3:30 am and taking an early early morning flight, here I am in DC.

I'm going to lay out my impressions in point form since, the actual inauguration events start imminently and we'll have to get down there.

-The first thing you notice upon arrival is the Obama parephenalia in all the airport stores, t-shirts, pins, stickers, magazines, its all there. (The photo above was not taken at the airport, it is instead a street vendor). The District of Columbia (which apparently 93% of the population voted for Obama during the November election) is literally basking with pride of his impending inauguration.

-I had a chance while waiting for the luggage at the baggage claim to talk with Alan Carter Global News Anchor. He was telling me just how phenomenal this whole event has been planned. The inauguration website has all the information anyone attending the event could want, location of bathrooms, entrances, exits, schedules etc. It's very good at making people feel a part of the whole process, something which Obama perfected in his campaign to a degree that is light years ahead of Canada's politicians.

-In the airport, on the bus and the subsequent metro ride that I took to get downtown to where my friend is staying, everyone is talking on their cellphones or to other passengers about what they are doing over the next few days. There are parties and balls and galas to attend, all somehow related to the inauguration.

I look forward to getting out there. There is a concert tonight (with Beyonce, L-Lo and a few others apparently) as well as numerous speeches that will go on. I will do my best to capture the series of "moments" in the build up to THE MOMENT (when Obama raises his hand and touches Lincoln's Bible and swears in) either with my observations or with my camera.

-On a comepletely other separate note, Zeke and Sara's apartment is situation in Dupont Circle and "granola" area right on the fringe of the gay village. This place is very liberal and fashionable and reminds me alot of Montreal. So far everyone I've met has been really nice. More to come...

the fragility of ones own life plan, odd hypocrisy

So for the past few months I was under the impression that I had it all figured out!

After spending a few very instable weeks initially upon moving to Ottawa, I thought I had finally settled on a "plan" that seemed to suit my longer-term life goals.

My "plan" was to work, and also study french, this year. It was quite simple really. By working I would earn money and work experience, and by studying French I would improve upon an essential language for Canadian or international work.

In the meantime I applied to Masters Degree programs in International Relations, Conflict Resolution and Governance, Global Politics etc.

The idea was that once I got accepted to a program I would defer it, and do a Cida internship the following fall (or continue to work if I got a good job), to improve my work and international experience before completing my Masters.

My certainty of this plan was fairly solid. It lasted for a good 3 months!

And suddenly, this weekend it disappeared!

This weekend I went back to Montreal for a Regimental Christmas Ball and Sports day. I was team captain of the officers team (we competed with the Sgt's team) and 5 other teams made up of the NCMs. It felt great! I re-lived my highschool varsity athletic heroics and came through with some clutch plays in volleyball and hockey to lead the Officers team to their first undefeated run through sports day in the history of the regiment (supposedly).

Most memorable was the hockey game against the Sgt's team which was a physical, violent war of a match. I played for 20 minutes straight without getting off and had 1 goal and 1 assist in a 3-2 win. Then, in the sudden death volleyball game against the only other undefeated team I scored the final five points in a row with my topspin serve which the other team couldnt handle, to seal the victory. I felt so sure of myself and so good, something I haven't felt in a while. Following this, we had a battalion parade in which I finally got my promotion to First Lieutenant. I was in the spotlight alot, I felt admired, appreciated. and successful to a degree which I haven't felt since highschool.

The christmas ball itself was also spectacular. I had the opportunity to have some great discussions with the LCol as well as Major Canavan. I believe that they really like me and really want me to continue working there.

Today Vincent, Boris (the two other Lts in the unit) and I met up at a St.Viauteur Bagel place in Cote St. Luc. The snow was lightly falling, kids were playing on the snow banks, christmas trees were being sold on the street corner, and the people, as always in Montreal, were strolling the sidewalks looking extremely content and fashionable in their winter outfits. I realized how much I love Montreal.

The whole weekend was so pleasant. It made me feel as though perhaps I should do Law School at McGill. I've always been interested in Law. It would allow me to continue working with the Unit and living in Montreal, while still progressing my career.

Moreover, both the Hon Col and the Hon LCol (Dick Pound) of my unit are graduates of McGill Law. One now works for Stikeman Elliot and the other works for the Ministry of Northern Indian Affairs. I could probably use these connections wisely to land good summer work or job opportunities upon graduating. Not only that, but could I not have a law degree and still continue on the path I want. (I could still work for the UN or an international organization in conflict resolution with a Law Degree right?)

My first point of consideration after reflecting this then, is, what scares me is how one weekend in Montreal can shift my desires so much. Does that mean that what I want out of life still remains such a tentative, unsure thing?
Or was it not simply this weekend that lead to that switch but in fact, 2 months of unemployment in addition to several fun weekends in Montreal?

Certainly there is a little bit more stability to that plan when compared with taking the risk to go to LSE to do a Masters and indebting yourself, with the hopes of landing a really good job with an Intl Org after.

This takes me to my second point. For my entire life, as we moved around I remember when my parents would ask my sister and I how I felt about us moving. I always preferred to stay where we were, whereas Dana always said she wanted to move. However, once we made the move to whichever country, I always settled in pretty easily and quickly while Dana had more troubles adjusting.

Therein lies the strange hypocritical conundrum. I have always preferred not to move and yet adjusted perfectly fine once I have done it. This year, I felt strongly the desire to go abroad next year and yet, when I see how good things can be in Montreal, I prefer to stay. Meanwhile, my sister is planning her move to Australia next year. It seems the old patterns from our childhood are repeating themselves. The question is, when will this trend be bucked? And what will that mean for my life plan?