Let's cut to the chase: the inauguration today of Barack Obama as the President of the United States is likely to be the biggest event-generator on a Tuesday for some time to come. And even if you didn't vote for the guy, you'd be hard pressed not to marvel at the outpouring of hope and commitment to the ideals of this country. When was the last time people got this excited about Inauguration Day? Or, for that matter, the business of government?

It's safe to say that Ithaca, more than almost any city in the country, is by and large a land of very happy campers today. As the only community that voted for Obama in the NYS primary, it's not surprising that more than a few people feel vindicated and validated by today's events. And as Ithacans often do, they're going to get a bit rowdy because of it.

You

I won't lie to you, I've seen a few things of note in my time, but this is right up there with the biggest. Where once people would ask "where were you when Kennedy was shot/Armstrong walked on the moon/Cheech met Chong?" -- insert other cultural ephemera as you see fit  -- people will spend the next 60 years wondering aloud about what you were doing when Barack Obama became president. If you're lucky, the answer won't be "I was in line for the can at Starbucks because my phone was off and my watch stopped and I thought the damn thing wasn't happening until later."

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you tell us about it using the comments tool. We want to know how the IC community spent this historic day, especially if it's likely to make us laugh so hard the Guinness comes out of our noses. What can I tell you, we like the jokes.
 

Day

Much to the chagrin of tavern owners in blue state communities across the country, the actual swearing-in ceremony happens not during prime drinking hours, but rather at noon. There are countless opportunities to share this historic moment with friends and strangers alike, including

• Right here on campus at Emerson suites. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the presidential shenanigans will be shown to the gaping throng, most of whom (if they're anything like me) will be sitting around in a state of catatonic amazement, muttering the same refrain: "Really? No, really?"
• Pixel Lounge in Collegetown, for those of you who have decided to ditch class from a greater distance. Big kids only (21+) are encouraged to bring lunch and a thirst for democracy (and beer). Doors open at 11 a.m.; celebratory gestures of falling down likely to kick in around 12:15 p.m.
• If for some reason you find yourself at that other school this morning, the Straight is doing something or other that probably involves wearing "Lynah Faithful" shirts and yelling about Harvard.

Whatever you do, if you really want to see President Obama (wow, just...wow) try to avoid watching online. As much fun as it potentially could be to interact via various social media gizmos and such, the simple fact is bandwidth is being crushed today. So far today the web is crawling like a red-nosed drunk the morning after the night before, and it promises to get a lot worse. Good old fashioned TV is your best bet for clear pictures and resonant Zeitgeist.
 

Night

Inauguration balls will be raging throughout the night, and our little satellite of democracy seems hell bent on behaving in kind. There are parties galore tonight, including

• Mine, a.k.a. Inaugurate This! I'll be spinning (I use the term loosely -- there's a laptop involved) at Korova from 10 p.m. til close, featuring some favorites from the new president's iPod, as well as some tasty tunes particularly suited to the funky moment. There promises to be a surfeit of "hell yeah!" and "whooo!"
• The aforementioned Pixel Loungewill be graced by DJ Fuzzy Duck, who (if previous experience holds) will be droppin' old school beats and generally shakin' it for those who can't shake it themselves.
• Felicia's Atomic Lounge will be promoting the art of fabulousness as they always do -- they'll just be doing it with a bit more gusto and a lot more "Baracktails" than usual.

There are probably numerous booze-free events going on as well, and if you find them please let us know. Let's just say some of us (who are of age, natch) can't quite envision this event without a stiff drink and a lot of hollering.

Alright, enough of my yakkin'. Go forth and embrace democracy, and if you can, let us know how it goes. Pictures are welcome, as long as they include enough fabric to sew a loin cloth if need be.