I was already anxiously anticipating the Inaugural activities, but hearing the details of the opening event has really ramped up my interest. I have also been anxiously awaiting the release of the new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, in March, and hopefully a U2 tour in the not too distant future (no dates announced yet). So I was very excited to see Bono in the lineup for the opening celebration. He seems to be the only non-American in the show….. interesting. Perhaps he and Mary J. Blige will treat us to a performance of One. I am sure this event will be impeccably produced, as every Obama event has been, and the content and presentation will be memorable.

The other interesting event of note that is taking place on Inauguration day is the Neighborhood Ball. Tickets to this ball were available to DC residents only. It will be attended by the Obamas, and will be televised on ABC and on the Internet. I have always wondered what took place at one of these events. This will be my chance to see.

Check out the Presidential Inaugural Committee website for more details and updates. I was wondering why they have been soliciting donations for the Inaugural events and I found out today on a C-SPAN segment. Obama’s representative explained that they are following the same principles regarding funding that they did during the campaign; no PAC or lobbyist contributions, limitations on personal contribution amounts, no contributions from corporations, etc. So, if you have some spare change, you might want to contribute to the biggest celebration America has ever seen.

Peace.