Nobody likes a good party better than I do.
But I intend to accept the invitation I received to attend events related to the presidential inauguration.
I understand the historical significance of this inauguration. And I think as historical events go in the U.S., inaugurations probably sit near the top of the list. The thing is that I cannot afford to attend.
In fact, as more and more news bemoaning all things economic piles up like a northern snowfall, some wonder if the country can afford it and whether we should pay for it.
A $150 million inaugural price tag popped up in news reports, although no one seems to know where that figure originated. And some — especially a writer for the Huffington Post Web site — take umbrage with that figure.
Still, based on what I have read and heard about the levels of security for the event, $150 million seems believable.
Meanwhile, because I stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental while attending a conference in Washington, D.C., the hotel’s marketing types e-mailed me about getting in on the inauguration game.
“We would like to consider your participation in our outstanding events during Presidential Inauguration Week in Washington,” the e-mail stated. The “outstanding” events included: the Presidential Inauguration VIP Ball, $250; the Presidential Inauguration Conference, $750; and the Presidential Inauguration Gala Reception, $250.
That’s $1,250 to hang on the fringes of the historic day, along with a plane ticket and three nights in the hotel, meals, transportation — well, you get the picture.I clicked on “no” as in “no I do not want to attend” and quickly got a “we are very disappointed” e-mail response, and the opportunity to opt out of more e-mails on “special events” hosted by the hotel. I did opt out, twice, but I am not optimistic about cutting off the e-mails.
Nevertheless, I plan on taking in as much as I can on TV.
I’ll save newspaper coverage in a trunk with other news reports on big deals in my lifetime. I’ll “hope” for better days ahead for our country and the world but won’t hold my breath with regard to the potential for “change.”
Why stop being a prototype cynical journalist now?
As for the cost of the party, I have not decided where I come down on that, yet. Maybe some readers can push me in one direction or another.
We live in a celebrity-driven world. And as I read more about all the “celebs” who have part in this gig, except for Scarlett Johansson — many paid a pretty hefty price, I am sure. I get a little annoyed with it all.
I read somewhere that President George Washington’s inauguration cost the equivalent of $4.
So, I guess I lean toward toning down the inaugurations and ratcheting up the quality of the work by those for whom they exist.
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