Live Blogging the Inauguration

JAN 20, 2009, 09:25PM - Ryan: Srry my messages could not get through today was the day before the day. Im so excited. We had a long dress rehersal and had a

JAN 20, 2009, 05:19PM - Emma: It was so amazing did u get the pic alot of my texts arent going through

JAN 20, 2009, 12:28PM - Jacob (in the Mac Lab): i completly agree with you julia. this is a very special day! :)

JAN 20, 2009, 11:18PM - via KRON-4: The San Francisco Boys and Girls Choruses video clips:
- "Hymn to Freedom"
- "An American Hymn"
- "America the Beautiful"

JAN 20, 2009, 10:43AM - Emma: Hey Im @ the inauguration its around 12 there r 4 mill people here there is so much energy many cant see the speakers but we hear obamas voice and hes prez now a

JAN 20, 2009, 09:52AM - Julia (in Meadows): what struck me most was the power in his voice, the conviction he spoke with. he believed in what he was saying, which made me believe too. he addressed Americas issues as well as the worlds problems. i hope that when i look back on this day, i will remember all the emotions that i have now, all the appreciation for barack obama.

JAN 20, 2009, 09:42AM - Sean (in Meadows): I thought that the reverend's speech was quite touching because he had been with Martin Luther King Jr. in the marches, and that he had been through the times where blacks and whites good sit together in a restaurant. I also liked the rhyming.

JAN 20, 2009, 07:37AM - Mr. Calhoun: My Flight to DC
I left SFO for DC Monday at 12:30 AM. As I walked to the gate for my connecting flight at Houston, I felt really excited. As I passed a statue of George H. Bush in the Houston Airport, I could see my gate and folks waiting to fly to DC. People were feeling good. There was an incredible amount of Obama gear and a more police officers than I have ever seen to watch people board a plane. Folks were friendly as we prepared to go witness an historic event.

Monday Lunch
We had lunch yesteday with friends we have not seen in a while including an old friend who is now working for the State Department. She was over with her fiancee, how is a captain in the army. They met while they were both stationed in the Sudan, and they will both be headed to Afghanistan soon. I told the Army captain about the good work being done to support the Lost Boys of the Sudan at Bentley. He was impressed by the committment made by students. He added that the work to support individuals is important, but we need to pressure congress to effect long term change.

The DC Gala
Last night, I attended the DC Gala Ball. There was no Obama present, but I did get to see the O'Jays. It was fun to be part of the DC contingent. They really know how to celebrate. On the license plates in Washington DC, there is a famous quote "No Taxation Without Representation." In between the speeches congratulating Obama, several DC politicians past and present (including the infamous Marion Berry) commented on how DC needs statehood. I am interested to here what our Bentley History teachers think about this.

Tuesday Morning
Oh boy, I really want to be out on the mall. My wife's family are member of St. John's Church, which where the President will attend. She is on her way back from a service this morning. Her text from church (and she usually would not text from church) stated that the Biden and Obama families were in attendance. As soon as she gets back, we're headed out to the mall.

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JAN 19, 2009, 07:18PM - Ms. Hedrick: Here are links to the clips from today on The Early Show:
- SF Boys Chorus Practices For Obama Inaugural
- SF Boys Chorus To Sing At Obama Inauguration

JAN 19, 2009, 02:34PM - San Francisco Boys Chorus Inauguration rehersal and sound check at the US Capitol Building

JAN 19, 2009, 08:23AM - Alex: We are having a great time here in DC! it was a long flight to get here and when we arrived it was 12 degrees F! The next day we went to the zoo but didnt get to see every thing. and on sunday my aunt brought friends with when she arrived. And also that was the day we went to the concert. today is the day that we are going tto the national mall (its snowing!) and maybe the African Art Museum and eat dinner later with everybody. tommorow is the big day and i just cant wait.

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JAN 18, 2009, 06:03PM - Ms. Hedrick: San Francisco Boys Chorus blog. Thought you may enjoy.

JAN 18, 2009, 09:10AM - Ryan: capitol building

JAN 18, 2009, 06:35AM - Ryan: Today we have our first breakfast in the base. Its sunday and were having our free day. My group is goimg to an air and space mus

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JAN 17, 2009, 03:32PM - Ryan: Hello. Right now in d.c. Its 6:30 pm and im thirty minutes im going to sing for diane feinstein with a select group of boys and g

JAN 17, 2009, 10:12AM - Ryan: To cold for snow. And tonight im singimg for diane feinstein.

JAN 17, 2009, 09:25AM - Ryan: Today we went to a small patch pf green grass in front of the capitol. There we recorded for the channel pbs. Now i am in the lib

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JAN 16, 2009, 10:14AM - Ryan: Thx everybody i just landed, and im not tired anymore. Here im my connection from chicago to d.c. It is 12:12. The rest of my day

JAN 16, 2009, 05:28AM - Ryan: Day one, woke up at 2:45 for a call time of 4:00 and a flight of 6:00. Right now its 5:30, and i can barley feel my eyes.

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JAN 15, 2009, 12:52PM: Next Tuesday we've planned a "Web 2.0" experiment for the kids in which a few of them go off to Washington and send their their experiences back to Oakland; and then we all share our experiences watching the Inauguration "live" on the web. We are gathering grades 5-8 in the auditorium, and we'll project the live broadcast of the Presidential Inauguration on the big screen, and be able to time shift video and show everybody text comments and pictures sent by their friend who are attending the events in DC. We have the amazing fortune of having several student bloggers in some unique places; here are the folks that we know are in attendance:

- Ryan: is on stage and singing with the SF Boys Chorus
- Matthew: is in the VIP seating area
- Emma: is attending with a youth leadership group
- Alex: is attending with his parents (has a camera)
- Upper School: Mr. Calhoun, Shawn, Woody

Let's hope the large crowd does not overwhelm the cellular network, and we can get some real-time feedback from the east coast.

The Live Blog will go up Tuesday, January 20, at 6:30AM or so, on the Bentley School home page.