watched, waited, missed

Regardless of one's politics, inaugurations are historic events.

I wake up with an unsettled feeling. I can't believe this is really happening. It still feels surreal. Donald Trump as President feels so wrong. But it is what it is, and today is the day. 

I had a TV in my office when I worked in television. Watching historic events (or even just soap operas) was easy.  But there are no TV's in retail. Why give shoppers a reason to be distracted?

So today I have to settle for watching the inauguration on a phone. Not great, but better than nothing.

A few of us gather around Minx's iphone. 

Paula White, Trump's spiritual advisor, is speaking.

We watch.  We are all stunned that this is happening. 

Bobby keeps pointing out the lack of color among those attending. He's right. 

We all agree that Melania looks great. Her blue coat feels very Jackie-esque.

We sympathize with poor Hillary. How tough it must be for Bill to be standing with the other presidents and thinking, today should have been about my wife making history.

Chuck Schumer speaks. His distaste for Trump's politics is only thinly disguised.

Then Mike Pence is sworn in. He looks the part but his beliefs scare me.

We listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  

When is Trump going to to take the oath of office? Really, that's all we want to see. 

Then the connection dies.

"Hurry up. Someone. Fix it."

Someone does. It doesn't take long. Just a few minutes.

The Star Spangled Banner is being sung.

Now Trump is giving his speech.

"Isn't the speech given after the swearing in? "I ask.

"No before," someone says.

"Are you sure we didn't miss it?"

"No, definitely not," a few say.

We listen to the speech. 

Then three different members of the clergy each give a benediction.

"Doesn't a benediction follow rather than precede the swearing in?" someone asks.

"No, we didn't miss it," says another.

We continue to watch.

At least it's a dead day and we're not foregoing sales as we wait for those important few minutes when Trump is sworn in.

But then people start to leave — including Trump and his family. 

There's always YouTube.