Tonight, I’m enjoying a leisurely Saturday night with my son and the Baltimore Ravens.  With the holidays luring copious amounts of money from American bank accounts, I think people are staying in tonight.  The result is a night with no wedding reception, corporate party or other celebration, a night off for the freelancer – me!

Next weekend, we will inaugurate President Obama for a second time, and DC will don its party wings once again.  The US Army Field Band will participate in the inaugural parade, as they do every year.  This will be my first inaugural with this unit – my past two inaugurals were spent with the US Army Band.  Both bands play different rolls in the procession, and I’m looking forward to a new experience with my new colleagues and friends!  Later, the inaugural balls will take place, both officially and unofficially, and I will join another group of musicians as a civilian performer.  It will make for a long, yet fulfilling day, and I will take it all in stride.