Was at the Eldridge St Synagogue for a community viewing of the inauguration. The synagogue was quite decorative with faux marble and intricately restored roof. There were some technical difficulties due to the extreme heavy internet load, but it all went over fine. Rick Warren was downright unimpressive, almost as inconsequential as Bush 43. I was arguing with Mark that the oath of office includes defending the Constitution "against all enemies", turns out it's a part of the Vice Presidential oath but not that of the President. Then Roberts starts reading the oath, and Obama seems to fumble!!! I am thinking, this is your day, what the heck are you doing???, Anyway, turns out that Roberts was reading without notes and he messed up, and Obama was going with the memorized lines. Mark wondered if conservatives would now claim this was not a legitimate swearing in. Oh Roberts! Obama after all voted against his nomination.
The speech started off OK, nothing mind blowing.
"
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year."
How about them sub-prime mortgages?
"
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear,"
Hmm, so McCain = fear?
They have been replaying on TV some of his past speeches especially the one from Grant Park: "It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled." and I have been mentally challenging him to embrace both believers and non-believers, but never thought he had the courage. And then this:
"
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers."
It felt as if he added it as an afterthought, it sort of hangs here at the end of the sentence. I was shocked, and impressed, and delighted. Although there are perhaps more Buddhists in the US (he might have clumped them with non-believers) than Hindus (not sure). The rest is equally eloquent:
"
We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. "
And here is the rest of it. From that point on I guess the speech just took wings and lifted off.
"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Also interesting was the quote from Washington(?) "that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive."
and the finale:
"America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
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April 8, 2009: Went to Del Posto, the decor was very classy albeit a bit dark. No flash allowed so had to really go slow on the shutter speed, so I am impressed with the hand held lobby shot. Previously there was some talk about the 20 course menu, but simply there was no consensus so we settled for the Il Menu Del Posto for $95. Basically one appetizer, choice of two pastas chosen by the whole table, a main course and a dessert. Somehow my picks for the pastas got the most votes so here's the menu we had. More below the fold. For appetizer I had the lobster salad, a bit too spicy and the taste of lobster was slightly obscured by it, but after all it's lobster. 
The other pasta dish was the Caramelle di Robiola with Black Truffle Butter, looked like Werther's originals, but was also excellent.
Next came the main dish, I didn't really like anything on the menu so I chose the arctic char thought that would be the most inoffensive, turned out reasonably O.K. had lots of squid ink and black truffle, so overall can't complain.
Jeff and his buddy (can't recall the name) both ordered pork chops, was so bad that they both returned it and got the char which was much better. You simply don't expect that from a restaurant of this level. I think he gave it a two star review. Dessert was also unremarkable, and not bothering using up my free internet bytes.
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