in DC, Relaxing

Sometimes, you even need a break from your trip. That's what I'm doing this cold, clear Saturday morning. It's 20 degrees outside, but I slept 12 hours last night, and since waking up all I've done is eat a stale croissant, drink a machine-made latte, write a dozen or so emails, Facebook around a little, and let the dogs in or out, depending on their mood. At some point, I'll start making calls and figuring some stuff out, like checking out some of the inauguration stuff that's going on, but for now, the house is basically empty, and this is perfect bliss.

Meanwhile, all around me, one gets the sense of impending chaos in the city. Freeway signs talk about massive delays on January 20, Metro signs say parking lots will fill early, and some park-and-ride lots are reserved for charter buses from out of town. Much of the talk among locals is about which bridges are closing, which roads will be clogged, and whether or not you're even staying around.

In fact, last night, as we drove back into town from the west, there was a stream of cars headed the other way, into Maryland, like a bunch of refugees fleeing an impending storm. I have yet to meet a single local -- including anybody in my family -- who actually intends to go to the thing, any part of it.

And I can dig it, with the crowds and the weather and everything. And living in DC kind of numbs you to the whole thing -- Oh, the President is driving by? The King of something is in town? -- so it's interesting to be a visitor who's actually excited about something going on in town. I get some funny looks here and there, though.

Another thing: My sister has lived here for 25 years or so, and her husband is super connected, and her kids go to private schools, and they generally run around in some high-falutin' circles. One night, this week, for example, they're going to a book release party for Gwen Ifill -- her Obama book, you may recall from when she moderated the debate -- and I had a chance to go to dinner afterwards with some names you'd recognize, but I would have needed a coat and tie, and this ain't that kind of trip for me.

Last night I hung out with my nephew David, and we went to my nephew Jeff's school in Maryland to see him play basketball, and one of David's friends was saying how his buddy's dad is a judge, and they got permits to watch the inauguration with a "bunch of other judges in some courtroom with a big screen." And I'm sitting there, thinking, yeah well, I'm just one of the ticketless schmoes who's gonna be out there in the cold. And I travelled thousands of miles to do it, too!

So, today's updates from the Washington Post, just for a little flavor:

The handout of tickets bought online got overwhelmed and had to shut down -- too much demand. But this story is noteworthy for how well everybody took it, since they're all so excited in the first place.

The city and the National Park Service (which runs the Mall) will provide 58 aid stations around the city to help keep people warm. And this story is an amazing run-down of all the various offices and restaurants along the parade route; they've been rented out by groups like the New York State Society, the Democratic Leadership Council, and other high-rollers, and they are charging hundreds of dollars to access a room with a view of the parade -- and all names have to be cleared by the Secret Service.

What an operation this is! And who's in charge? According to this story, that would be 58 agencies, 24 subcommittees, and three official committees. Good times!

The real deal for us "cold and shivering masses," as one story put it, is just getting into and out of town -- forget having a view of anything. With traffic jams expected to stretch into the suburbs, people are considering all sorts of ways to get there, including kayaking, rollerskating, and using Segways -- although the Coast Guard nixed the whole kayaking thing. People are planning to spend Monday night in bars and coffee shops so they can line up early Tuesday!

As for me, the plan is to spend Monday night with a friend of my sister, since the friend lives about halfway between my sister's place and the Mall. It's 8.5 miles from my sister's, so only 4 or 5 from the friend's. That will come in handy if -- when -- I decide to just walk it. The Metro will be a nightmare, even if I can get on it, and it won't be worth pursuing one plan I heard; drive out of town to the first stops to at least get a seat. But that's going the wrong direction. And besides, I'm used to carrying backpacks up and down hills, so carrying a camera on flat ground shouldn't be too rough -- and it'll be a good way to stay warm. Tuesday noon's forecast is cloudy and about 30.

Meanwhile, the man himself has left Philly for DC on a train. The rest of us live in a world of massive restrictions and chaos.