Scribbled Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 10:48am CST:

Parked and walked five blocks to the UNL student union. Several televisions. Good idea to come here. About 300 people, all young.

Opening prayer. it's quiet. People are listening!

"United by our commitment to freedom and justice for all."

Individual faces of diversity on the screen now, heads bowed in the cold, feeling the fire inside starting to stir again.

Aretha! Oh, shit, that girl can sing. To the bone. People smiling, waving, swaying, ready to believe it. Music and love. Applause here in the union.

There must be a million people there on the mall! Why?

Biden. Nervous! Muffed a word. Then applause again all around me. Our long national nightmare is nearly over.

Now Itzhak Perlman, et al: "Air and Simple Gifts" arranged by John Williams. Barack turns to listen, smiles, watches. The music—fluid, life, joy, loss, hope, the continuum.

Blitzer voice-overs that Biden is now the Vice President of the United States, room breaks into more applause. Then music up again—playful, simple, spirited, free expression within structure. Flawless performance.

Two minutes to go now...

Roberts reading, Obama repeating, almost overwhelmed, Roberts fluffs it! Obama almost laughing, and now, now, the little flags being waved by the free, the renewed. Amazing camera shots of the sea of life.

Chanting!

"My fellow citizens..." Then he says "humbled." Yes! Finally, some humility.

"Greatness is never a given. It must be earned." Flawless speech unfolding. People are too stunned to cheer.

"We are ready to lead once more!"

The sun creates a starburst reflection from his lapel pin American flag.

Everyone in this room is silent, riveted to the screen.

Hope, indeed. Everyone dares to cheer now, finally.

The poet, solemn. The reverend, amusing.

Now the Obamas and the Bidens walk the the former president and first lady to the steps leading down to the helicopter. The rotors begin to turn and then it is airborne and the new leaders of the free world pay respect, wave.

Dignity.