***(Editor’s Note:  Josh McGrath is a Columnist and Collegiate Commentator for “The Thirsty Quill.”  Although he is currently a student at Wingate University, Josh will be reporting for ‘The Quill’ from Washington, DC over the next few days, site of Tuesday’s Presidential Inauguration. As always, we appreciate Josh’s commitment and service to “The Thirsty Quill.”)***

“Inauguration Update #4″

By: Josh McGrath, Columnist

It’s currently 6am on Martin Luther King Day. I was up until about 2am. I’m so tired. I would give anything for just another hour of sleep. If I were getting up for a job this morning, I would consider calling in sick. With that said, I pray no potential future employer of mine ever reads this article. If you can’t tell, I’m kind of a night person.

After our extended stay at the lovely McDonald’s 15 minutes from school, our trip wasn’t all that bad. The worst part was that our 8-hour drive turned into nearly 12 hours. I don’t know where the extra hours came from…all I can say is that I’m glad I get along with everyone in my van.

When we arrived at the camp last night at 11:30pm, it reminded me of the church summer camp trip that my parents never sent me on. When we arrived and had picked out our bunks, the first thing I did was what most guys do at midnight: raid the refrigerator. That’s when we saw it.

Now let me give you some background information on me. I’m not a camper. I’m not country folk. I don’t even like the dark. So when I turned to head out of the kitchen and saw a bat hanging upside down on the wall, you better believe I started freaking out! All I could think of was the bat/cabin scene off of “The Black Sheep.” Luckily he was dead and didn’t haunt me too badly (Now PETA is going to be coming after me). I got a picture of the bat, but my camera has no more internet than my computer, so I can’t upload any photos right now. In hindsight, that bat was kind of cute.

Today we’re going to head to the National Mall. Some of us are going to work on some community service projects since Obama and Biden both recommend that all Americans do that today.

I’ve been told by one person in our group that because I am white and Republican, I don’t deserve to be on this trip. Hmmmmm, I got the distinct feeling that this person was pretty liberal. I wanted to tell her that Americans need to be more “united” at times like these, but I decided it was best to just let it go.

Today I plan on going to the Smithsonian and to the Lincoln Memorial. I truly love our nation’s Capital, and am in awe each time I travel here.

Josh McGrath: Reporter For 'The Quill,' Or Super Hero In Disguise?