As Barack Obama became the 44th president, it seemed like most of New York had traveled to Washington.

As New Yorkers counted down the days to the inauguration, other parts of the dawning political landscape fell into place.

As Barack Obama flashed his six-pack on the beaches of Hawaii, others indulged their own escapist fantasies.

New York politics looked relatively subdued and dignified last week.

It was estimated that two-thirds of office holiday parties have been canceled, but some New Yorkers still found reason to celebrate.

Even as a new Keith Haring balloon floated above the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the city was feeling anything but lighter than air.

Citigroup’s 52,000 soon-to-be-laid-off employees weren’t the only ones looking for new jobs last week.

As the euphoria of last week’s victory parties faded, the city settled in to ride out its economic hangover.

As President-elect Obama addressed the nation from the shores of Lake Michigan, New York erupted in celebration.

As the presidential campaign ticked its final minutes last week, all signs pointed toward a blue surge propelling a black man into a White House.