It's really too bad that the Presidential Inauguration had to be the day before the season premiere of Lost. This is mainly because Lost ended up not getting the attention it deserved. People seriously need to get their priorities straight. It's also unfortunate because a huge slice of the American population probably didn't get enough sleep and weren't productive with their lives for at least 2 days. It's hard to be productive when you must commit 100% of your time to feeding TWO different hype machines. Thank God for Facebook status updates, blogs such as this and TV coverage. If not for those saviors of modern technology, you might not have been able to broadcast sentiments of love and adoration for the President and Lost to millions of people who ARE. NOT. INTERESTED. IN. YOUR. BLABBING.

OK, moving on...

The inauguration was impressive, no matter who you did or didn't vote for in November, but it had to be impressive. Even if it weren't impressive, it would still be the most impressive thing anyone had ever seen. That's how it works. When else can an event be so "perfect", yet still include:

-Crappy weather?
-Exaggerated attendance estimates?
-Three shades of green?
-Flubbing (by BOTH of them) of the most singularly significant moment, requiring a reoathing?
-That poem, that poem...that...poem?

Of course, it's a big deal, but it's a big deal anytime this country swears in a new leader. It's a big deal to us here and to virtually everyone else in the world. However, the way it makes you feel is simply that: your feelings. Not everyone will react the same way or with the same level of interest. That isn't a flaw in the character of some and not others. It is simply human nature. If the inauguration's significance held added meaning to you, then enjoy it, remember it, cherish it. Just don't think that someone is unpatriotic, uncompassionate or unfair if they don't hold the same opinion.

For those who want to remember and commemorate this historical (albeit not in a high school rivalry game kind of way), there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Thankfully, you don't have to buy commemorative items such as the "Yes We..." can of soup or the O-balm-a lip balm. The internet (aka: public enemy #1 in times like these) has plenty to keep you busy...and for free:

-A collection of newspaper front pages from around the country and globe. They are seperated by state, so it's nice to see Alabama's first. Be patient while it loads, there's a lot to see.

-Per usual, great photography on display at The Big Picture of preparations and the inauguration itself.

-The highest-resolution available satellite photo of the attendees is here.