Photos: D.C. Prepares for 57th Presidential Inauguration.

"A supporter reacts in front of the CNN news set on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as she watches a telecast of the swearing-in of President Barack Obama Sunday, January 20, 2013."
“A supporter reacts on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as she watches a telecast of the swearing-in of President Barack Obama Sunday, January 20, 2013.”

"he sun rises as a pedestrian passes by the entrance of Union Station in Washington, D.C. on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013."
“The sun rises as a pedestrian passes by the entrance of Union Station in Washington, D.C. on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013.”

"Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN's AC360, acknowledges spectators from atop the CNN press riser on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013."
“Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN’s AC360, acknowledges spectators from atop the CNN press riser on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013.”

"CNN chief national correspondent John King reacts atop the CNN press riser on the National Mall in Washington on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013."
“CNN chief national correspondent John King reacts atop the CNN press riser on the National Mall in Washington on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013.”

Here are a few shots from the activity around the National Mall as Washington D.C. prepares for the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

I’m not going to post much now, but I will say that the mall was far more subdued a day before this inauguration than it was back in 2009.

More to come from Inauguration Day soon.

State of the Union – Boring, but good message for us graduating folk

"Early morning observers gather on the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Tuesday, January 20, 2009 to await the Inauguration Speech of President Barack Obama."

Here I sit a week later writing about a State of the Union speech that I can barely recall any details about. President Obama chose his words wisely, safely appealing to both Republicans and Democrats while largely avoiding clear and specific policy proposals.

I have to say, it was pretty boring.

But the young, soon-to-graduate-from-college-and-not-exactly-sure-what-he’s-going-to-do-next-yet-strangely-not-worried-at-all kid inside of me resonated with one talking point in an otherwise very long hour of watching.

“Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how we’d beat them to the moon,” said President Obama, calling for job-creation throughout various fields of science. “The science wasn’t there yet. NASA didn’t even exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didn’t just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs.”

“This is our generation’s Sputnik moment,” he added.

Hey people who are finishing up college this year, this is our “Sputnik moment.” Let’s get excited about going into the world. We’re young. We’re smart. We’re energetic. We’re hip.

A rough job market? No worries. Let’s change it.