Wandering Where We’ll Be

Dan and I spent three weeks in Germany this summer, where we visited Berlin, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Cochem and, then, performed with Team Band in Gay Games VIII in Cologne.  Team Band performed a field show for the Opening Ceremony as well as a concert during the week of the games.  I played percussion for both performances, and Dan was in the color guard for our field show.  I would eventually like to blog more about our experiences, but would at least like to post a link to our photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdan2/sets/72157624733635200/

So, it was inauguration day.  That morning I had breakfast with the LGBA marching band. It was a buffet and tasted great. It was also the final time I was likely to see many of the band members for awhile.  After the buffet, Tim and the other band members got on a bus and set off to get through government security and then on their way to marching in the inaugural parade.  Meanwhile, I went to the Ballston subway station.  There was quite a hullabaloo in the news about over-crowded subway cars and subway platforms that were way over packed.  I experienced none of this.  I found a subway train that said “not in service” but was picking up people and transporting them.  The platform was nearly empty.

BUT

Not all was perfect.  The subway was still delayed by previous over-packed subways and over-packed platforms.  I eventually left the subway one stop after foggy bottom.  As I left the station, the streets were FILLED with people.  I picked up a hot chocolate from a vendor and headed for the Mall.  My initial plan was to go and take pictures of all the monuments with millions of people in front of them.  Many streets were barricaded so we were like cattle being forced to go in certain directions.  I made it to the mall but swiftly discovered my initial plan would be impossible.  There were too many people to even get through to the monuments.  I was near the Washington Monument so I took pictures and I could see the Lincoln and Vietnam Memorial and took a few pictures of that.  So, I waded in to possibly hear the “swearing in” of Obama.  This also seemed nearly impossible.  The mall was sectioned off into cattle-like fields so all I could do was “moo” about while seeking a possible view of the Jumbo-tron.
Not likely.
So,
I decided to go see if I could get into the parade.  I walked against the teeming multitudes to make it eventually to one of the gates to the parade.  This was quite a hike.  I made it to 10th and Pennsylvania Ave eventually but before-hand, I waited in the crush of people at the gate for 4 hours.  It was TIGHT!  Tim called me during the wait and I couldn’t even reach into my pocket to answer the phone.  One woman was facing the wrong way while waiting and she explained she hadn’t touched the ground for 10 feet.  At one point, I had to go over a concrete barrier to make it further toward the gate in the crush.  I stood on it.  Some people handed me their cameras so I could take pictures for them.  The crush was actually a lot of fun.  At one point I saw a bottle of Jack Daniels being passed around in the crowd.  It was quickly emptied.  A couple of good things about the crush.  I was warm.  I met the people around me since I was practically “on” them.  One woman, I was “on” her back, as she was trying to get over the concrete barrier, turned around.  We were face to face about 2 inches apart.
She said “Hi.  I don’t think we have been properly introduced.  My name is Joy.”
I laughed and said “Hi, my name is Dan.”
We both laughed because we had been almost more than invading each others personal space for quite some time.  We were practically kissing. I met many other fun people while in the crush.  It was one of the highlights of my day. Eventually, I made it into the parade area.  The security was very similar to airport security but I didn’t have to take off my coat or shoes.

The parade was delayed.

This was announced by a couple of radio announcers stationed near me.  They would eventually announce general facts about each marching band or float or “presentation” as they went by. Then the parade started.  There were many people and I was warm again from the crush trying to be able to see Obama as he went by.  First there were a couple of VIPs in cars which we barely saw.  We knew the new President was coming eventually.  I said to another person waiting near me.  We will know when he is coming by the screams of the crowd.  That is how it happened too.  We heard the crowd roaring and then “saw” him.  The crowd all stood on their tip-toes and put their cameras and cellphones in the air for a picture.  I really didn’t see him, I put my camera up, snapped 3 pictures in what I thought was his general direction.  I lucked out. After he and Michelle and the Bidens passed.  About 7/10ths of the crowd left.  It was cold.

The parade was very good.  Each marching band started playing their tunes near where I was standing and I almost got to hear each one. I took pictures but it soon became too dark to take good pictures so I waited for the LGBA Marching Band to come by.  After about 3 to 4 hours, I saw them.  It was dark by then.  I tried to take pictures.  I couldn’t.  They were just as good if not better than many of the other Marching Bands.

“YEEEAAA!!” I yelled.  I even screamed “CAN YOU HEAR ME??”
One band member said later that she could.

After that, I was cold enough to want to leave so I quickly got on the subway and back to the last stop on the Orange Line heading West.
There I waited for awhile so Tim could come and pick me up.  We then went with several other band members to dinner and drinks at Champs.
What a great day.

Cheers to all and Congratulations LGBA Marching Band for marching in your first inaugural parade.

Dan

Open letter to LGBA Band-members who marched in the inauguration parade: (Sung to the tune of Rudolph the Rednose -Reindeer) You know music and marching, instructions and Lisa. bullhorns and cold feet, sore muscles and warm tents. BUT DO YOU RECAAALLLLL..... ANY BACKROUND DISASTERS AT ... [Continue reading this entry]

Ian Harwood, a member of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, who marched with LGBA in the Inaugural Parade, is one of three people featured in a Life/Style Television special.  It's pretty cool, and can be viewed in four parts ... [Continue reading this entry]

LGBA Rehearsal for Obama Inaugural Parade Originally uploaded by TimDan2. I've posted photos from our D.C. trip here: [Continue reading this entry]