My trip to the Obama fun raser

I shook presidint Obama's hand. Presidint Obama sinde my poster. TJ Allison

"I had a good time at the fund raiser. I met Spock from the movie, Star Trek; he acts and in a movie called Heroes he plays a very bad guy. His name is Sylar. He also signed my poster. Jennifer Hudson also signed my poster and the band Earth, Wind and Fire. The whole crew signed my poster. I hope that the world gets better with Obama as president." TJ

TJ's dad here. TJ had an incredible time at the event in Los Angeles. He held up his sign after President Obama spoke and we were somewhat stunned when the President walked right over to us. He made a signal to his secret service that he was going out to the crowd and then he came over and said hello. We asked him to sign the poster and he did (see above in the bottom right corner). The secret service were a bit jumpy when I pulled out the marker for him to use, but Obama was calm and friendly. He then shook TJ's hand and mine, before moving down the line to shake more hands. TJ had said that if he got a chance to talk to Obama he was going to ask him to make it against the law to use nuclear bombs (the last Indiana Jones movie made a huge impression on him), but when the time came TJ was just in awe of the fact that the President came over to talk to him and shake his hand. I think he mustered a "hi", but that was about it. I'd like to say that TJ's dad was able to strike up a substantive conversation about the need for more stem cell research funding or improving education, creating jobs, fixing healthcare or protecting our environment, but it just wasn't to be. I didn't even get a photo. But we sure collected a great experience for a six year old. This partially makes up for that whole purple ticket fiasco. Next time we'll get a photo......and TJ will remember to ask him about nuclear weapons........

I saw Obama and biden

I saw Obama and biden TJ Allison.

"I saw Barack Obama and Joe Biden and their wives at the Inaugural Ball. I took pictures of Barack Obama and Joe Biden from my Daddy's shoulders and I took pictures of their wives. I had fun. We are leaving tomorrow and we are going to fly on an airplane." TJAllison

TJ took a nap after our long day at the Capitol Mall. We were afraid that he wouldn't go to the Western Regional Ball because he was so tired. We managed to coax him out of bed. The Jorgensen's Inaugural party was in full swing when we left for the Inauguration Ball. TJ got his picture taken with Silicon Valley Congressman Mike Honda. Congressman Honda's upbeat personality and dance moves seemed to brighten TJ's spirits. We watched Marc Anthony's band with special guest performer, Jennifer Lopez. Tim held TJ high on his shoulders for about 3 hours to ensure that TJ had a view of the stage. Vice President Joe Biden and Jill greeted the crowd and danced. Around midnight, President Barack Obama and Michelle greeted the elated crowd. They were introduced by the Marine Band. TJ took the pictures of the Vice President and President from Tim's shoulders. I snapped one quick picture of TJ on his Dad's shoulders as we were leaving the ball. You can see that TJ is still yelling "Obama!" or is he yawning? VIA

TJ's Mom, Vickie's Post: TJ's BIG Blog has been an interesting journey. TJ and I started this blog to fulfill his independent study assignment to ensure that his public school continued to receive funds while we were traveling in Washington, DC. We thought that it would be a fun way to keep friends and family informed as well...."two birds with one stone." I know TJ has been touched by the kind comments that have been posted. I am the lucky recipient of a kiss on the cheek each time I read him a comment. I asked him why he kissed me and he said it was a thank you. As I write this post, I feel our Inauguration trip has been bitter-sweet. We were a few feet from our nation's biggest and happiest party and we couldn't hear a thing except for the gun salute that signified that we had truly missed it all. It didn't quite meet our (my husband and my) expectations; yet, we have made so many new friends and have had many wonderful times. Best and most important of all, Barack Obama and Joe Biden are our President and Vice President. Today the sun is bright here in Washington, DC along with our bright spirits for the future. TJ cried last night in his sleep about the inauguration. This morning, he woke up and asked if we were going to the inauguration. His Dad reminded him that we were at the ball last night. I asked him if he was mad at Daddy or mad at Mommy. He said no. He wasn't mad at any one. It wasn't anybody's fault. I've learned a lot from my 6 1/4 year old, as I do each and every day. As a parent, I think each of us tries our best to provide for our children. I know that I shed a number of tears when I saw the disappointment in TJ eyes. What if we woke up earlier? What if we planned ahead better? What if...? TJ is resilient and happy and healthy and watching his favorite Bakugan DVD. We are blessed. I think about how difficult it must be to tell your child that they can't go to college because there is no money; they can't eat because there is not enough food; they can't have new clothes or new shoes... I feel blessed that Barack Obama and Joe Biden are our President and Vice President. Tim, TJ and I are ready to do what we can to help. "Fired up, Ready to go!"

Postscript: TJ's dad listens in to a conversation between TJ and his mom 2 days after the inauguration.

VA: So TJ, are you sad?
TJ: Yes
VA: How come?
TJ: Because we had tickets and they still wouldn't let us in to the inauguration. It wasn't fair. But it is ok.
VA: Why is it ok?
TJ: Don't you think it is ok?
VA: I'm still not sure. So, TJ convince me; why do you think things are ok?
TJ: Because we got to go to the inauguration ball and see Joe Biden and Barack Obama and their wives. That was cool and I took their pictures.
VA: I love you.
TJ: I love you always more.



See pictures at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/vickieideta/InaugurationDayAndTheInaugurationBall#

The Inauguration ....the curse of the Purple Ticket

"We didn't get to go to the inauguration." TJ

TJ didn't want to type in his blog today, here is his interview:

Tim Allison (TA): This is TJ's Dad interviewing TJ and TJ's Mommy. TJ what are your thoughts about the inauguration?

TJ: I'm so sad that I didn't get to go to the inauguration.

TA: What happened?

TJ: They had too much people.

TA: So even though you had a ticket...

TJ: They had too much people and they closed the gate.

TA: Did you have to wait a while? How long were you in line?

TJ: For like hours and hours.

TA: So, how come you are sad?

TJ: Because, I wanted to go to the inauguration. I wanted to hear Barack Obama speak. 'Cause I think it will be very good.

TA: Well, we can hear him speak on TV.

TJ: Well, I just wanted to hear him in real life.

TA: And you wanted to see him when he was president?

TJ: Uh huh. Yes.

TA: What did you say when you were in the audience. Did you lead some chants?

TJ: Yes." I said "Fired up" and they said "Ready to go" and when we couldn't get in I said "Please let us in....We have tickets"

TA: And the crowd joined you in this chant.

TJ: Uh huh.

TA: Did you meet some nice people while you were in line?

TJ: Yes, there were all kinds of nice people. They wanted my business card.

TA: Did you tell them about your blog?

TJ: Yeah.

TA: There were a lot of nice people that were supporting Obama, weren't there?

TJ: Yes.

VA (TJ's mom): Do you remember the large African American man from Sugarland, TX at the end of the swearing in.....

TJ: What color ticket did he have?

VA: He had purple also and he couldn't get in either.

VA: I gave him a hug. He said he was happy that Obama was President, but he was also sad that he couldn't get in because he had waited a long, long time for this day.

TA: And he wanted his picture taken with you, so we took your picture together.

VA: And he was very tall and was telling everyone what was happening with the gates.

TA: You know there were many hundreds or perhaps thousands of people with purple tickets who were locked out by the Capitol Police, but that doesn't mean that they weren't happy that Obama is now President.

VA: Mommy is happy that Obama is President.

TA: Daddy is too.

TJ: I'm happy that Obama is President too, but I'm sad that they wouldn't let me in to see it.

Dad's note: Apparently there was a major problem with the purple ticket line. One of the Capitol Policemen told us that people without tickets (and with other tickets) had overrun the checkpoint and they had filled up both the purple area and an overflow area. Apparently the security just couldn't handle the crowds. Some people had been in line with purple tickets since 5:30 am and still couldn't get in. We waited for four hours in the cold, not to mention having flown out to DC from CA for the swearing-in. There were many hundreds (possibly thousands) of us with tickets that were not let in. TJ is disappointed (as are we) and we've tried to explain that sometimes life hands you disappointments. What matters most is how you handle the challenges you face. We will be taking TJ to the Western Regional Ball and maybe he will get a chance to meet Obama. That would certainly lessen the disappointment......

To day wus MLK day

To day wus MLK day. TJAllison

"Martin Luther King was special because he made people like both dark people and light people and they were allowed to play with each other. Tommorow afternoon Barack Obama is going to be president. I am going to the inauguration tomorrow, and we got purple tickets." TJ (age 6)

TJ has approved two guest bloggers, his Mom Vickie and his Dad Tim.

We apologize to TJ's readers for missing some entries. TJ has had a very busy and fun-filled schedule. Unfortunately, he has been fighting a cold and woke with a slight fever. He was unable to update his blog yesterday. This morning, TJ was disappointed to miss the Martin Luther King service activity at the Cleveland Park Fire Station. TJ's Daddy did a great job representing TJ. When he learned that there were enough volunteers collecting food at the fire station; he went to the neighborhood grocery store and received a shopping cart filled with donated food from the store manager. TJ, always the trooper, rallied late in the morning and was determined to have his picture taken with Congresswoman Lois Capps and the large Santa Barbara and Ventura group of Obama supporters.

The exuberance in our nation's capital is incredible. Our hosts, the Jorgensen's have been gearing up for a major Obama celebration party on Tuesday night. They have set up an Obama Christmas tree and, at a time of year when most people are taking down holiday lights, they are putting more up (TJ and his Daddy got to climb in the tree and help string lights). The Jorgensen's, as well as many DC families, have graciously opened their homes to Obama supporters. Homes across the district have people stacked like cord wood on their living room floors.

The Metro is filled with Obama supporters that have travelled from around the country and from around the world. The atmosphere is upbeat, hopeful and filled with optimism. Even the thousands of people waiting in line for several hours to get tickets from their elected representatives today were smiling and laughing. We spoke to a Metro DC Police Officer and he said that there has never been an event like this here, ever. Whether it turns out to be 500,000 or 3 million people, we will have stretched the city's infrastructure beyond its "maximum" capacity, but will do so with a crowd here to celebrate an historic moment.

We've been taking a combination of the Metro and taxi's to travel around the city. The taxicab drivers from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Iran and Morocco have all talked about how the rest of the world is so hopeful about the future under Obama 's leadership.

TJ has seen the Obama logo everywhere, from restaurants, to cars and cabs, hats and t-shirts. Each time is an opportunity for him to start up a conversation, and for those of you that know TJ, you know that he rarely passes up an opportunity to start up a conversation with someone new. For TJ, this will be the first time in his life that he will experience a Presidential transition....and what amazing memories he will have. For his parents, this will mark a turning point in American history. President Obama takes office at a difficult time in our nation's development. The turning point will be marked by a leader who approaches challenges as opportunities, who leads with hope instead of fear and asks us all to look for the best in our society and ourselves. Most of all, Obama has made us hopeful that the future is a promising one for TJ and his generation. Barack Obama has inspired all three of us to seek ways to do our part in making the world a better place.

See pictures at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/vickieideta/ClevelandParkHome#

We went to the spi meusam

We went to the spi meusam and we had lots uv fun. TJAllison

"Me and Daddy, we went to the Spy Museum. We saw stuff that Spy's use like special kinds of cameras, and like wearing disguises. We could not take pictures at the Spy Museum because pictures aren't allowed. And I forgot about pictures. And we had a good time. Mommy was cooking at We Feed Our People for Martin Luther King Service Day. 2 days until Martin Luther King Day. 3 days 'til the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And Hillary might be Secretary of State after the inauguration." TJ


The picture was taken by Vickie Ideta Allison at Howard University Law School's cafeteria. Volunteers were busy preparing meals on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning to be served at the Martin Luther King Library in Washington, DC. The organizers estimated that approximately 1,000 meals would be served to the homeless and less fortunate. All of the food is donated with a volunteer team preparing and serving the meals. VMI

We or in Woshington DC

We or in Woshington DC. TJAllison

"We had fun in Washington, DC. And we went to the United States Capitol. It was cool. I saw Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House. We are going to the inauguration in four days. And we are going to see Barack Obama. We also went to Union Station. It is a big, big train station with shops. The weather was at 20 degrees then it changed to 16 degrees. It was very, very cold. We rode on the Metro. The Metro is a big train and it goes underground and the Metro can hold lots of people. I will interview people tomorrow." TJ

Yesterday, we arrived in Washington, DC. We left Santa Barbara at 6:00 am and arrived here in DC at 4:00 pm. TJ didn't write in his blog yesterday because of the long trip. We'll edit this section to add our pictures from the Capitol tour tomorrow. VMI

This days intrvyou with 2 peepl

This days intrvyou with Miss Ford and Das Willyums. TJAllison

"We go to Washington, DC tomorrow. Tomorrow is Thursday, and we leave on Thursday. And we are going to Washington, DC to go to the inauguration. We will fly on the plane." TJ

The following are the abridged transcripts of TJ's interview with Principal Kate Ford and Councilmember Das Williams:

Excerpts of TJ’s interview with Kate Ford, Principal of Peabody Charter School.


TJ: So, what do you think the inauguration will be like?

KF: First of all, I think that it is really going to be an exciting experience. Especially exciting for people who are there, like you but also very exciting for the whole American public because it is such an important and historic moment. I think that it is going to be a great, great day. Do you?

TJ: Yeah. Do you think there are going to be lots and lots of people? I do.

KF: I have read that they think there are going to be millions of people. So of course there are going to be big, big crowds and you are going to see so many different kinds of people, young and old, different races. Maybe from different countries even. You’ll probably see a lot of reporters and cameramen. So I think that it will be very crowded but I think they have it well organized.

TJ: Yes, There will be black and white people.

KF: Yes there will be all different races of people there and I think because he is the first African American president. And because it is so amazing and wonderful that he is the first African American president that the whole American public is going to be watching very closely.

TJ: Yes, he is the first president to be a color.

KF: Yes, that is right.

TJ: Yes, he is black.

KF: It is really, really significant and important and interesting because it is the day after Martin Luther King Day which we celebrate on Monday which you will be celebrating in Washington, DC also. So you have Martin Luther King Day on Monday and then on Tuesday the inauguration who has an African American for president. Wow, that is amazing.

TJ: I think it is going to be fun.

KF: You are going to have a great time. And I think that you are going to see a president who is really smart and really caring. And I think that he is very brave. I think that your experience is going to be really wonderful.

TJ: Yes. And I hope that he makes it against the law to do nuclear bombs.

KF: Sure. We’re going to try for peace in our world aren’t we?

TJ: Yes, because we don’t like nuclear bombs.


Excerpts of TJ’s Interview with Das Williams, Santa Barbara City Councilmember


TJ: So, what do you think the inauguration will be like?

DW: Well, the bad part is that there will be a lot of people and it will be hard to get around Washington, DC. The good part is you are going to be a part of history and maybe one of the most hopeful events in very, very troubled times. Some day you are going to look back at this, I hope, and say I was there when America got back on the right track again. I hope that when you grow up, you will look back on this and say that you are proud of what America is and what it stands for.

TJ: So, Obama is the first president to be a color, he is black.

DW: Well yes. I also think of it like this. He’s kind of like me and you. Our Mom’s and Dad’s are of different races. We’re kind of a mixed race. So maybe he is the first president that is like us, of mixed races in America too.

TJ: Yes.

TJ: Well, the bad news is, we’ve been going on the wrong track.

DW: Well, economically that is true.

TJ: I hope that Obama leads us to the right track.

DW: I hope so too. You know what I think is more important than just hope to make sure that happens? By us being really active. You know that’s what Obama has talked about. You know before he was elected president, he was a community organizer. Before he was a senator, he was a community organizer. What that is all about is getting everyday people, like me and you, to stand up and say this is what we need in our community. So what he has said is, look I can’t change America, you have to, we have to do it together. Sometimes people expect a great leader to come along and wave a magic wand. Well it’s not magic; it is hard work. If we work really hard to help him, maybe we’ll be able to get the country on the right track.

TJ: And how we do it, is, we can plant more plants a whole bunch of stuff.

DW: We can do a lot. One of the most important things is to get people, a lot of people to work because right now, there is more than seven percent unemployment in the country. A lot of people can’t earn enough money to help their families and that is pretty hard for a lot of folks.