Starting the Day - Scene

Started at 2:45 and made it through security just in time for my 5:30 live shot. It's dark and cold -- but everyone is engaged in the process of producing live TV. I will move next hour to the VIP platform to wait for the VIPs show up

The entire Fox team is splayed out over the Capitol complex - camera people, engineers - without whom the "talent" (and we use that term loosely) would not be able to broadcast. It takes weeks of preparations to being you sound and images - and the Fox techs are the best in town.

I am astonished as I look down the mall at the throngs of humanity making their way to the National Mall. I am hearing horror stories about the traffic and congestion on the Metro system here. It makes me very happy that I started the day just a few blocks form Capitol Hill.

Some of the entrances to the Mall are so jammed that Police have started to close them off. What a crowd we're gonna have for this historic event.

Later I will be reporting from the VIP Platform - where I will be watching for Oprah. After the ceremony - I move over to the parade route. I will precede Mr. Obama as he makes his way down Pennsylvania Avenue. Stay tuned for pics.