So. Inauguration.
They began blocking off the streets yesterday, which didn't make today any easier for traffic when we got about an inch of snow today (DC drivers can't handle anything more than a dusting, if that).

My friend, an EMT, has just been sworn in as part of the Dept of Health's "Prisoner Strike Team," which kind of worries me. I mean, what are they going to do to these "prisoners" that they will need immediate medical attention? And who are these prisoners? Protestors? Are they going to beat people over the head for booing, or what? I am staying the heck away from that.

Ghalib wanted to go to the inauguration, apparently his brother is, but I told him that it was unadvisable, or that at least he ought to shave his beard before showing up. (OK, that was Sarah's suggestion.)

A lot of people's classes were canceled today, which makes me almost disappointed that classes are already canceled for tomorrow, since snow days are always fun. (Not that I have class on Thursdays...it's just fun to have them canceled. It feels more like vacation.

Erin sent me the following from the Washington Post:
Some people have WAY too much money

$200,500 for four nights at a hotel? Give me a break!! You're going to be at all the inauguration events -- who cares if you have butlers for your freakin' BATHS?!

Wow.
So I'm sleeping in rather than attending inauguration tomorrow (been there, done that), and actually I'm not really sleeping in, either, but whatever. Going to the gym and the library. Same thing.

I realized that maybe my Political Islam tutorial could count for my major too, if I get the syllabus concocted right. That would be really cool, and make next semester less stressful. (I have a feeling this semester is going to be QUITE stressful, however.)

Also, I am virtually assured of getting an internship at the Cape Verdean embassy...a "contact" of mine ;) has apparently been putting in a good word for me with a higher-up. So that would kick ass. Then I can save the security one for next fall.

I was going to go to the Henderson speech tonight -- the guy who eradicated smallpox and is now freaked out about bioterrorist attacks, but it was canceled due to snow...unfortunately I found out about this too late so I was 1/2 hour late to my terrorism class. (Luckily it is my bioterrorism prof so he was ok with that.)
Speaking of bioterrorism, Boston University currently has a Bio-safety Level 3 (BSL3) lab. That means they can handle pretty dangerous agents -- but somehow three of their scientists last fall got infected with Tularemia. All survived (and were all misdiagnosed initially), but it's unsettling because Tularemia is on the list of the 5 most probable and dangerous bioterrorist agents. Even more unsettling because BU is slated for final approval of a new BSL4 lab...the highest safety level, which means they are allowed to study things like Ebola, Anthrax, and Smallpox. So I don't think that after this track record I would jump to granting them that. I'm staying away from Boston for a while.