One person you have not heard much about over the last few days has been “The Junior Senator from Illinois” Roland Burris.

But behind the scenes he’s been the subject of much conversation by high level African American staffers on the Hill who have expressed worry and concern that in this period when Burris is supposed to be learning the ropes of the job, he’s increasingly surrounded by those who don’t necessarily wish him well.

Specifically, once concern in that Burris has been traveling from reception to reception “un-staffed”, a serious concern on the Hill because it leaves an inexperienced (or even experienced) elected official highly vulnerable to the kind of manipulations and machinations that at the very least can tie the official to promises he can’t keep or misinterpretations of support that can come back to haunt you.

Not everyone was immune from the trials of waiting in line. But some folks’ wait was decidedly shorter than others. Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Kerry Washington, Angela Bassett and newly minted but yet to be sworn-in Minnesota senator Al Franken (who was not seated with senators) filed in througha gate next to the Capitol.

The entrance to the ticketed Blue Section where attendees got a view of celebs coming in, but had to watch the ceremony on the jumbotron.

Attendees of the swearing-in were forced to walk a half mile in the opposite direction from the Mall to queue up on the shut-down Route 3-95 South. More aggressive people found a way around quickly by jumping a barrier and ducking through a line of bushes.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the throngs of tourists took time to walk the roads less traveled and filled the streets of usually local-focused neighborhoods like the U Street corridor, 14th Street, Logan Circle and Shaw. No reports of culture shock were reported from local hospitals.

By Monday afternoon, the gridlock that bypassed the surrounding neighborhoods spread out substantially as every small street became and alternative thoroughfare to avoid street closings.

Ben’s Chili Bowl got an extraordinary bump from an Obama visit late last week, and it extended into this week, with tourists streaming around the block and into the alley and live broadcasts from Tom Joyner and BET drawing even more.