No damn pool anymore

Just thought that this should be somewhere easily findable should I ever need to refer to it again. The White House website, which used to provide this Press Pool Report page openly linked, no longer does. For the moment the page is there but all the links to it are gone. At first I was horrified, thinking that either Obama suddenly got secretive or the site was falling down. But no. After a little googling, here is the reason. It is not like that on this side of the pond.

Dubya in photos

The Internet Renders Its Verdict on Dubya in HTML, originally uploaded by Madison Guy.

Here is a rather fascinating, extensively illustrated, rundown - in several senses of the word - of the Bush presidency in images. As usual with all great posts to do with photography, the pics are only half the story.

Renewal

Inauguration Day 2009: President Obama takes oath, originally uploaded by USA TODAY.

Moments ago, President Obama (who is shown taking the Oath of Office above) issued the following Proclamation:

NATIONAL DAY OF RENEWAL AND RECONCILIATION, 2009

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As I take the sacred oath of the highest office in the land, I am humbled by the responsibility placed upon my shoulders, renewed by the courage and decency of the American people, and fortified by my faith in an awesome God.

We are in the midst of a season of trial. Our Nation is being tested, and our people know great uncertainty. Yet the story of America is one of renewal in the face of adversity, reconciliation in a time of discord, and we know that there is a purpose for everything under heaven.

On this Inauguration Day, we are reminded that we are heirs to over two centuries of American democracy, and that this legacy is not simply a birthright — it is a glorious burden. Now it falls to us to come together as a people to carry it forward once more.

So in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, let us remember that: “The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

Ahhh. I feel refreshed!

Rather whoooaah

Portrait II, originally uploaded by peripathetic.

Last weekend, after going to bed, my left arm went very cold and tingly for no reason I could think of, and I was convinced the end was near. Although it turned out not to be - at least not then - I have felt somewhat like a woozy, lightheaded occupier of my body since, and this self-portrait is as close as I can come to sharing the feeling.

For those who are interested: it was a trapped nerve, most likely in my neck.

It was also a 15-second exposure at ISO 200 and f/22, for those who care not about clicking through to investigate further. I took great care with the shoes, you know.

Almost like a dream

Almost like a dream, originally uploaded by peripathetic.

This was taken on New Year's Eve (actually, scratch that - it was taken on New Year's Day, very very early), but is fitting as a celebration of the festive season in general. Here's to warmth in winter.

Nearly over

Snowflake, originally uploaded by peripathetic.

Well, this is it - the Twelfth Night or last night of Christmas for this year. Tomorrow, it will be time to take the decorations down, but there are still remnants of the season to enjoy, whether they are based on food, presents, or memories, and here in Northern Ireland the weather is getting colder. If it keeps this up we might have the promise of snow!

So I sit here sipping a Franconian style dark lager from London, and listening to a lovely lady drawling out some wonderful jazz, and I feel thankful for each of the past 12 days. Here's to the next lot...