Inauguration

Even though I didn't get an invitation to the Inauguration because it probably got lost in the mail, I could not afford to make the trip.

Besides, with probably four to six million other pholks jammed around all the venues and most of them taller than me, I wouldn't see much anyway. But I will watch as much of it as work schedules allow and what I miss in watching live broadcasts, I will see over and over and over. I won't miss a word or a photo opportunity of my choosing. This really is history in the making and once again I'm witnessing it.

Living to see the African American Barack Obama take the office of the United States of America is an event which I didn't think I would see in my lifetime. It truly is a tremendous milestone in U.S. history and something which will be discussed, bisected, mulled over, scrutinized and studied for a long, long time. I didn't make the swearing in of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt or FDR, or other major chief executives.
But it is amazing just how many major historical events and milestones I have experienced in nearly 65 years.
Images of, not necessarily in order, the Korean Conflict, 57 Chevys, the JFK election, presidency, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban missile crisis, the JFK assassination, Jack Ruby, the Warren Commission, Vietnam, Woodstock, hippies, Elvis, the Beatles, Sputnik, John Glenn, lunar orbit, man on the moon, space shuttles successes and failures, Monica Lewinski, Watergate, presidential scandals, vice presidential and presidential resignations, floods, hurricanes, fires, 9-11 and the lasting aftermath, Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, and the aftermath, the Middle East, Iraq, today's economic train wreck and so much more.

But somehow and for some reason, I am optimistic that this “change” to a new administration will bring about some major uplifting to the nation and the world as a whole. Since I'm writing before the event and haven't gotten an advance copy of Obama's highly anticipated inaugural address, I expect it to be a memorable one. And I anticipate him not to just ask we can do for our country, but to flat out tell us we better all do something and do it quickly. It probably won't be written on the back of an envelope but it could become almost as famous. Our nation is at an economic crossroads and the road ahead looks rougher than Chinese algebra but I'm optimistic and I can't explain exactly why.

With a new and history-making Presidency taking control and with Major League Baseball spring training lurking around the corner, I just feel better. Besides, Super Bowl Sunday is almost here and even though my favorite teams did not make the Big Event, the world just isn't all that bad just yet.

Barack Obama isn't going to fix everything but hopefully it will be a good start. I'm just glad that I have lived to see so many major events unfold in just over a half century and that I didn't have to read about them in history books in school.

You know pholks, it's so much better to be a part of history than to read about it.

SPEAKING OF READING, just ask Frank Lovero, Jr. of Frank's Liquors on Willis Street about reading one of the first messages on the new computer monitor which displays detailed results of California Lotto drawings including any winners from the point of sale.

Two weeks ago while Frank and a couple of his clerks were looking at the Lotto monitor screen just installed by Lotto officials, a message popped up saying that Frank's Liquors had sold a Super Lotto ticket worth $1,262.
As the guys were wondering out loud which of their customers might be the lucky winner, Frank said, “Heck, I'd better check my ticket,” as he reached into his wallet pulled out his ticket and, you guessed it pholks, he had the winner.

There was a bit of a celebration, some shouting and a little jumping around and some joking to mark the occasion.
Frank, who buys five $1 quick-picks each Wednesday and Saturday for the Super Lotto, says he expects to get his money in a couple weeks.

There have been several winners of around $5,000 at the store over the years, says Frank, who says he will continue to use his quick-pick system and will keep a closer eye on the new monitor. You never know.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com