I'm Still Here! (I promise)

Hey Everybody!

I know, I know it's been a realllllly long time since I've posted something.
(Yeah that's how busy life has been for me)

Everything from breaking news to getting sick with the flu and strep throat, at the same time. Then getting nominated for a national award, whew!....yeah it's been a busy year.

I can honestly say the last several months have been challenging but very rewarding all at the same time.

The economy has changed priorities for many people, and when it hits someone you care about, you remember to be thankful for the basics.

Food, shelter, clothes, family...etc.

That's my thought for today....I'll do better about sharing more with you.

Stay tuned, more pictures are coming soon.

;)

Jamie

2009 Inauguration: Embracing The Moments In D.C.

What more can I say?

January 20th, 2009 will stand out in history books around the world.
It's the day Barack Obama, America's first African American was sworn in as the nation's 44th President of the United States of America.







Then and now I still can't help but feel a connection...... a part of me, for obvious reasons, is finally "calling the shots" in Washington.



Moved.
That's how I felt when I took this picture (Jan. 19th), while getting a closer look at where all the action would take place on Inauguration Day.

A cloud of awe settled on everyone walking around the mall that Monday morning.
Not much in the way of chatter was going on, which I thought was amazing in itself.

Think of the time when somebody suddenly turned the volume down on your radio.
That's how everyone acted when they got to this point after getting their tickets to the inauguration.
I think people felt that "feeling" of reverence here, as they checked out where they were going to stand or sit Tuesday.

This was one of the most powerful moments for me during this entire trip.
I fought back tears looking around, and thinking...how blessed we are to live in a time to witness this change take place.




It's a dream that's become a reality that was first said by a famous "Dreamer" not to long ago.

Millions around the world I'm pretty sure would agree, and that's what folks are taking to the bank.




Literally!




I can't begin to tell you how many folks were standing on sidewalks selling anything "Obama" related. I'm pretty sure America's new First Family made a lot of people rich Inauguration Day.

I went back and forth about whether or not I should go, and finally my mother had to remind me...."Uh, Jamie...you need to go!"

I listened, thanks Mom!

As the days approached I realized how much I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to D.C. and stand with the crowds and cheer.



I'm cheering because I'm living in a special moment in history!

Bragging rights are great, because I can look back and say "I was there!"

Just like thousands of people, I stood out in the freezing cold for at least 6 hours Inauguration Day.





I couldn't believe that some people were warm enough to actually climb trees just to get a better view of all the action.
Did I mention it was 19 degrees that day??? And it was windy, which made it even colder!!!!! WHEW!
Fortunately when it was all said and done those folks didn't fall out of the tree.

Now let's back track and talk about the JOURNEY getting to the capital on Obama's big day.




America's subway was SO CROWDED Inauguration Day!
Believe me I thought I was getting a head start waking up around 4:45 AM to catch the train by 6:30. HA! "Thanks For Playing" as some of my co-workers would say.




Whew! I think it took about 2 hours to get out of there.
All of the trains were so packed some doors barely closed.
Then there was the issue of getting people off of the train.




Once on the train, you couldn't get off because so many people were still in the terminal trying to wait for hundreds of people ahead to hurry up and walk faster. So everything was backed up!
Folks on my train couldn't get off for 15 minutes until there was room to move out!
YIKES!

Did I mention it was kind of dark and pretty hot down there???




AHHH! DAYLIGHT....AIR.....SPACE....HOPE!
When we climbed the escalators (which were turned off) everybody cheered and chanted O-BA-MA! YES-WE-CAN!




Then MORE crowds!
No matter where you turned you were brushing up against someone.
For you church folks out there I got a sneak preview of what it's like to be caught up in "that number".



Not only was it crowded going to the capital, you better believe it was just as bad if not worse trying to get out of there!




Now, let's jump to festivities!



Glitz and glam pretty much sums it up.
I had a great time seeing & meeting a few familiar faces.


























I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE THIS GOWN!!!




So if you asked me if I would do this all over again....I'd say YES!
(Only if it's a 1st time)

I'd have to admit coming out to this Inauguration wasn't for just anybody!
You had to have a lot of walking will-power to get through those crowds.



I can truly say this was an adventure I'll never forget.
Friends told me on January 20th, 2009 watching everything on TV was exciting.
But I'll quickly point out....it probably was, exciting to watch on TV, but there's just something about being there.
Shivering with thousands of people, but having a warm and happy heart knowing.......




I was present in D.C. when that chapter of history was being recorded on tape or on paper.

Now that's a great feeling to walk away with.

Capturing The Moment

Hi Everybody!

Ta-Da!
This is my very first blog!

Please be patient, I promise more stories, thoughts and pictures will be posted soon.

Why the delay?
In the past I've been very shy about blogging, just because EVERYBODY can read your stuff.

But in time I've warmed up to idea, because letting people see another side of "Jamie" is pretty cool!


:)



Everyone has a story that adds texture to this thing we call life.


One of the greatest privileges I have as a reporter is to capture those untold stories and putting them on a huge platform for others to see and hear.


When I can't capture these moments with a news photographer, I can certainly capture them in other ways.


Blogging is one of them.


Let the adventures begin!

:)



Pass the word along, Jamie's Blog is here!!!!!