The inauguration

I was working from home the day of Barack Obama's inauguration, and I watched it on BBC1. I felt like I was watching something I would remember for the rest of my life. Friends of mine were there on the National Mall, among the 1.5 million who turned up to watch the ceremony. I wish I could have gone.

I loved Obama's speech. Other presidents might have gone for something unreservedly optimistic, which would have been arrogant and inappropriate. I loved the fact that instead, he delivered a sombre and forceful speech about responsibility - about the responsibility that America has to the world, and about the responsibility that American citizens have to rebuilding their country. He talked about the importance of not shying away from difficult decisions, and I really admired that. He comes across as someone who's remarkably determined, and takes his role and his own responsibility incredibly seriously. Bush always seemed like someone who'd been voted in by his friends during a drinking game, and was just having a great time. I don't know if Obama can solve all the things he is setting his sights on, but he seems like someone who will do as much as he possibly can, and do it as effectively and as appropriately as he possibly can - and he seems like someone who can do a lot.

It was a wonderful ceremony (the only thing that struck me as odd was the lengthy Christian prayer that seemed to take a central role in proceedings. Separation of church and state, anybody?). I felt elated to see Obama take over from George Bush. But if you watched the BBC coverage, you'd think that the best thing about him is that he's black. To me, that attitude belittles him. Of course I can understand that for African Americans, it was a hugely historic and inspiring day. But while it's wonderful that skin colour apparently is no longer an obstacle to reaching the highest levels of American politics, that's not the reason why Barack Obama is a good choice for president. Otherwise they could elect Eddie Murphy and we'd all be celebrating. Obama is a good choice because he is - or he certainly seems - extremely intelligent, moral, compassionate, practical and ambitious. He doesn't seem self-important, foolish, greedy, ignorant or irresponsible, like the last president. So that's why I'm thrilled that he's in.

Also, I loved him fluffing his lines.

Below, two clips: Obama's wonderful speech (read it here), and the specially composed John Williams piece that was performed before he was inaugurated.