Yesterday

Yesterday was certainly remarkable. The crowd was estimated to be between 1 and 2 million people - the largest ever to attend an inauguration. And, from the dozens of interviews with the average citizens in attendance, it was peaceful and without demonstration. I, of course, as stated yesterday, missed it because of an appointment made with my cardiologist.

The good news for me, however, is that the cable news networks repeated - and repeated - and repeated again the swearing in of PRESIDENT Obama, and parts of the ceremony that I wanted to see. I watched the events leading up to his actual taking of the oath, but, since my appointment was at 11:15, CST, I had to leave at 11:00.
Walked into the office as he was beginning his speech, and one of the nurses had it streaming on her computer - but it was so jerky that I decided to wait and pick it up later.

As I watched his speech later, I was again struck by this man and his message. It was not the best speech I had ever seen him give - that could be argued for others in the past. Perhaps the one at the 2004 Democratic convention. Maybe the one he gave about race relations, after all the flack with Reverend Wright hit the fan. Could've been the one where he accepted the Democratic Nomination, or the one at Grant Park after he had clinched the nomination. I don't know, but somehow it still inspired me.

In my opinion, Obama was able to both strike the chord of how serious the problems we face are, yet still project a positive tone in how we will overcome them. Obviously, the proof will be in the pudding - damn, there I go, using an old cliche - but, results will, in the end, be what matters. I believe that the majority of the nation is rooting for this man to succeed.

My doctor's appointment was okay. I will have to have a procedure done next Monday though. When I had my defibrillator/pacemaker replaced last September, apparently, the unit was placed on top of the wires that lead to the heart. What this has caused is that my shock box sticks out too far from my chest. This causes a bit of discomfort for me in that when I am driving the seat belt strap rubs across it. Also, I'm a little concerned that it could be too close to breaking through. I showed it to the tech and the doctor and they both said we gotta fix that. So, On Monday, I have to undergo a simple procedure to open up the "pocket" in my chest where this unit resides - make it a little bigger, and move the unit around a bit. It will be done on an "Out-patient" basis, so I'll be back within a few hours. Everything is working fine, mind you - it's just that the unit needs to be repositioned. I don't know what time I go in, but the doctor says the procedure doesn't take very long at all - maybe a half-hour.

Old Fart Mike