After the world’s longest parade, inauguration evening was engulfed in red satin handbags and dapper Midwestern men who traded the comfort of one-piece long underwear for ill-fitting rented tuxes. Some of us who had ball tickets (even to the schnazzy Babyboomer’s Ball) simply opted out because really, three hours of security lines is enough for one day. Instead we headed to U Street and the evening’s must-have photo op at Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Barack Obama already checked that box three days ago when he downed a hot dog at the greasy spoon monument to the civil rights movement. Outside, traffic cones directed a line around the corner, while a pushy parade of newscasters took their five minutes in front. Adding to the backdrop was a tacky red, white, and blue OBAMA ice sculpture, the manifest chainsaw skills of Cake Man Raven of Food Network fame.

Despite a sign saying "back off," Busboys & Poets turned into the chilled-out after-party for numb parade goers on U Street. In a pair of knee-high timberlands and a black crepe tutu, MC Princess of Controversy rapped out her precious blend of hip hop and the blues at this, the mother-of-all open mic nights.