Tour of the Capital! Obama's Path, MLK's Birthday, Pelosi Sighting

During our tour of the Capital, several incredible things happened.

First, we were able to watch the preparation of the path Barack Obama will take as he walks out to the platform.

Second, we watched the preparation inside the Rotunda. This is where Obama will take the oath if there is inclement weather.

Third, today is Dr. King's actual birthday. Here is picture of me next to his bust inside the Rotunda.


Finally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Diane Feinstein decided to say hello to us during the tour. You can watch video here.

Washington, D.C. - The Friendly City

I must admit that Washington, D.C. has put on its best face for visitors this week.
Despite the bleak temperature, all of the intense security measures at the various venues around the city, everyone, especially the government employees, was extremely friendly and hospitable.
Security guards were knowledgeable and eager to help tourists looking for museums, restaurants, metro stations, etc. For example, I had to take a conference call during our tour of the U.S. Capital. The guide made sure a security guard found a quiet space for me to set a laptop and take the client call. VERY IMPRESSIVE!
It’s clear everyone here participates in customer service training and it has paid off. While I am writing this, I am sitting next to a lady from San Diego, C.A. She wasn’t happy that there she wasn’t enable to see the entire
Here’s a photo of Mark and me outside the Capital. We made several road stops to pick up winter clothes.

A lady from San Diego and another woman from Los Angeles who were sitting next to me in the reception area of the Capital both agreed. Neither one has tickets to events, but they felt compelled to be in D.C. to be a part of history.

Welcome to South Carolina

The highlight of traveling I-95 is entering my home state, South Carolina. You might remember all the controversy years ago when lawmakers removed the rebel flag that flew over the state house in Columbia. Now, the crescent moon and palmetto tree logo serves as the symbol that unites all South Carolinians. It follows our proud history: the crescent moon was worn on the helmets of SC soldiers during the revolutionary war. The forts protecting SC's ports were made from Palmetto Trees. Smiling faces - beautiful places - South Carolina.

Reflections

Aloha!

This is our friend Mike Sladyk, a Hawaii native who lives in Orlando. He says Obama's achievements have energized the island state and have made residents truly feel like they are an integral part of the United States. Mike said he considered going to inauguration, but decided to work instead. He said during the past few days, he has heard from several of his friends in Hawaii who currently are making arrangements to make the dramatic cross-country trek to D.C.

Mike now wishes he had packed his bags and was coming with us.

WE MADE IT!

We arrived in D.C. around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. The temperature was a blistering 19 degrees! Here is video of Mark driving as we drive pass by the Washington Monument. If you look closely, you can see all of the bleachers and scaffolding being erected on the National Mall.

Client Reflects on MLK and Obama

While still on the road, I received an email from one of my clients Thomas K. Equels. He's a top litigation attorney in Florida who devotes a portion of his practice to representing people in civil rights cases. He sent me the following email regarding MLK Day and the Obama inauguration:

Charles,

I'm still in trial -- wish I could be there. Hope you brought your long johns. Its freezing here -- must be bitter cold there.

When I was a boy I was inspired by Dr. King. You may have asked yourself why for so many years I was volunteer counsel for SCLC & the like. When I was ten we had leaders: JFK, Bobby, Dr. King, who I loved to listen to on the radio. I looked for their speeches in the paper. They actually inspired people. Not like today* - that is until President Obama. You are probably too young to remember the march on DC, it was around '63 I think. In a way MLK's dream of an America where we are all equal before God, law, and most importantly one another, has been realized. This is the consummation of that dream.

It teaches us a lot of things, but perhaps the most important is that when we employ what President Lincoln called the "better angels" of our nature we can rapidly change ourselves for the better both as individuals and as a nation.

All the best! Have a great time.

Tom

On the Road Day 1

I woke up at Hotel "John Bonis" at 5 a.m. in time to watch the morning news on my former television station WFTV in Orlando. Vanessa Echols and Greg Warmoth still have that magic chemistry that draws in viewers.

Those of you who have participated in my media training program will recognize the box next to Vanessa in the second picture. As you can see, stories related to "Your Money" will attract news coverage because viewers can easily relate to them.

I was ready to go by 6 a.m., but Mark was still snoozing away. We didn't leave Orlando until 9 a.m., which put us 3 hours behind.