I minus 17 hours, 14 minutes

7:46pm
Monday
January 19

Madness on the streets of Washington. Huge and huge-er crowds everywhere you go, especially around the capitol and the Mall. Four of us AFP photographers are staying in an apartment in the Chinatown area which seems to be mobbed with people both night we were here. Vendors everywhere selling everything imaginable. Almost like New Year's Eve, as one of the doorman in our NY apartment described election night. Lots of people wearing Obama t-shirts under their down coats. But most people in a festive mood, except photographers trying to get here and there with tons of equipment. Still cold here, forcast is for low 30's on Tuesday, but in the 20's in early morning.
Photographed Michelle Obama and Jill Biden earlier today, at a National Day of Service event. They helped a group that put together CARE packages for soldiers overseas. Lots of excitement when the 2 showed up, most attention on Michelle. She is quite glamorous, even at these casual events. Very good with people one-on-one.
After that, I head back up to the capitol with even more equipment that i'll need tomorrow. Everything seems to be working well, our internet connection and the cameras.
So Tim and I head back to the apartment, get caught in a big mob of people at Union Station and decide to walk back. We go shopping for some food to take in the morning and then end up eating at the Asian restaurant we were at last night, mainly because there was no waiting for a table.
Back to the apartment to prepare our computers, etc for the big day.