6:30AM: Woke this morning and realized that the long awaited day had at last arrived. Laid in bed, turned on the television and almost immediately got teary-eyed. Have two concurrent emotions running through my head: One of unbelievable relief that "That Man" is leaving the White House and our eight years of nightmare policies, wars, economic meltdown, disregard for wildlife, environmental disasters, Katrina and division are leaving the White House. Oh, how I have waited for this moment. The other is an overwhelming feeling of awe at the power of this day. I am quickly rushing around to eat, shower and get through my early morning tasks so I don't miss a single moment of this astounding morning.

7:15AM: All cleaned up and posted my thoughts on Facebook and my site. Had eye surgery about ten days ago and so relieved my sight has returned enough to be able to clearly witness this history though it prevented me from being there. When I thought of not being present I thought of all the people who I met in my days in the civil rights movement and anti-war movement in the 1960's who are not there physically but certainly there spiritually - including, most of all, Dr. King. Then I thought of the time I spent with Fannie Lou Hamer in Mississippi, Aaron Henry in Alabama, Julian Bond in Georgia and all those who I went to jail with to help make this day possible. The sacrifices that we all made in the 1960's suddenly again had renewed value. I didn't finish college so I could instead work full time for peace and freedom. Today I feel as though I am getting my honorary degree with the ascent of the professor of us all, Barack Obama.

8:45AM: Just saw the Obamas leave for the church. Have to say that soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama is absolutely stunning in yellow! I can't wait to see what she will wear tonight at the Inaugural balls. So very gay of me! All the predictions of the crowds have turned out to be true...there seem to be millions braving the bone-chilling cold. All smiling brightly and waving little American flags. The shots of the already jammed packed Mall and hundred of thousands more attempting to get a last-minute space are breathtaking.

9:30AM: Watching the interviews on CNN of people from around the world on the Mall. Am shocked by the depth of my own feelings. I am constantly teary, overwhelmed by the moment, in awe of the history of the occasion and inspired by my fellow Americans.

10:00AM: The Obamas just arrived at the White House and loved the fact that Michelle Obama brought a gift to the Bushes.....rarely have I seen that sort of sweet kindness in Washington. Thinking of my friends in the Netherlands wondering how many are at the concert hall and how they are feeling today.

10:10AM The San Francisco Young People's Choir is singing patriotic songs and it is all so moving. Mohammad Ali just took his seat in the VIP section. They are beginning to fill up on the other side of the Washington Monument and around the Reflecting Pool. When you consider all the folks along the parade route they haven't even shown yet, the figure two million is reasonable. Wow.

10:48AM: George W. Bush just left the White House for the last time. The world is a safer place. Oh my God, it is over. When I woke up this morning a huge owl landed outside my window and has not moved since I started watching this all. Wonder what that means?

11:21AM: The former Presidents are coming in and I am stunned are how ancient the first President Bush looked. I realize how long I have been around just by looking at the worn faces of him and President Carter and the former Vice Presidents Mondale, Gore and Quayle.

11:40AM: Obama is walking down the Capitol hallway that spills out to the Inaugural platform looking not only like the weight of the world is suddenly upon him but also looking very lonely. Such a man of calm dignity and yet intense seriousness. There is no doubt in my mind that he understands the burdens he faces.

11:45AM: To my ear, the famous Rick Warren prayer turned out just to be bad and should be offensive to every person of faith in America with all his personal "Jesus" talk. He had an opportunity to rise to a new level of inclusiveness and totally blew it and in doing so, made himself useless and irrelevant.

11:50AM: The First Lady of Soul did an amazing job cooing, growling and soaring through the classic "My Country 'Tis Of Thee". Love that Diva Aretha. Not to mention that bow hat!

12:00PM: Barack Hussein Obama is President of the United States. I never really believed it would happen. Wow.

12:18PM: The Obama speech was simply amazing and a strong challenge to us to rise above our victim hood, stop blaming others and become responsible for a powerful and greater America. I loved it.

12:30PM: God Bless Rev. Joseph Lowery. Now, that is a prayer. Are you listening Rick Warren? Did you hear the words of inclusion and tolerance? I doubt it.

12:45PM: One of the greatest moments of the last eight years: George Bush is put on a helicopter and sent back to Texas! Thank God.