I just watched the last part of the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on HBO... I will watch it in it's entirety at 7pm, and can hardly wait now... (I think this is being aired free tonight, so check your listings.)

As I watched our next president speak in that incredibly eloquent, yet real style of his, the tears began to well up in my eyes. When he finished, and after the electrified ginormous crowd lavished him with roars of love, the rockers came on stage - Springstein, James Taylor and the granddaddy of them all, Pete Seger. (I was lucky enough to see Pete Seger at the big anti-war protest in NYC in 2003). Anyway, as one would expect, they sang "This Land Is Your Land..." and the audience sang along. I began to feel tears streaming down my face as I danced and sang along in my living room. The camera panned around the crowd and EVERYONE was either singing or smiling really big and - again - ELECTRIFIED!!!

What is it about this man, Mr. Obama, that is so overwhelmingly inspiring and moving? When I saw him speak here in Asheville last Fall, I felt that electricity in a huge way. The crowd was absolutely glowing, and there was a feeling - a tangible feeling of love and hope. Seriously. I know it sounds corny, but that's exactly what it felt like. 

I suppose perhaps a tiny part of this phenomenon could be that those of us who still think are just SO relieved to have a leader with a brain - a real brain - a real big brain! After eight LONG years of listening to the first mentally retarded and sociopathic president in history, we are now embarking on a new era where the sane grownups are back in charge and our president can speak full sentences that make sense! Our new president - who also happens to be our first non-white-guy president - is perhaps the biggest - and most needed - breath of fresh air this country has maybe ever seen.

So today I'm feeling an unusual sense of love for, and pride in my country. The only other time in my life that I had a patriotic flash was just after 9-11, but that was born more of shock and fear in all honesty. This current patriotic hot flash is different - this one really is about hope. As FUBAR as our country is right now, this Obama-phenomena is just the medicine for the head that we, the people needed. 

Yes, I am actually proud to be an American these days - something I've not been able to say for a long time. (8 years, to be exact) I look forward to my next international trip when I can show my US Passport and not have to apologize for my government's evil deeds.

We are, indeed, one. Yes, we can do this. 

Now it's up to us and the very talented Mr. Obama.

(Tuesday can't come fast enough...)