It is almost 2:30am here at the U.S. Capitol, as it's just the cleaning crews and a few journalists like me finishing up their work for the next day after President Obama's State of the Union Address. Another one is in the books and how Congress reacts doesn't really change from year to year.
I covered my first State of the Union as a reporter 25 years ago, as President Ronald Reagan addressed lawmakers; Democrats ripped Reagan's remarks as "disappointing" and "uninspiring," while his backers said it reinforced Reagan's "quest for freedom."
My first State of the Union was a political show then, and it remains a political show now, as both sides do their best to follow the script before and after the speech - making it into a rather familiar exercise between the parties.
All that matters is whether your party controls the White House. If they do, then you probably liked the speech.
But if the other party holds the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, then a thumbs down is the preferred legislative reaction.
This year was no different, as Republicans came off the House floor with little good to say about the President and Democrats arrived in the post-speech interview area excited about the Obama message.
"It was an extraordinary speech," said Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who told me, "it was one of the best that I heard him deliver."
Just a few feet away through the crush of bodies in the old House Chamber, not far from the spot where John Quincy Adams suffered a fatal stroke in 1848, there was a dramatically different opinion.
"I was terribly disappointed," said Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), who argued that the "President's policies have failed miserably."
"He has decided to continue this division of the country," Price argued while waiting in line to do a television interview for the folks back home in the Atlanta area.
Nothing against Lewis or Price, but that's exactly what we would expect to hear from members of both parties, who judge these State of the Union speeches in basic terms of "my guy hit a home run" and "the other guy is a big loser."
For the second straight year, there seemed to be no "zip" or "sizzle" in Statuary Hall after the Obama speech; in fact, most of the members leaving the chamber well before the speech was over were all liberal Democrats, not Republicans.
Thankfully, there was one moment in the State of the Union which allowed everyone to avert their eyes from the political battles of today - that was the sight of Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona.
Armed with a smile as big as the Grand Canyon, Giffords drew huge cheers as she entered the House Chamber just a few minutes before President Obama walked down the center aisle.
In a bright red jacket, Giffords stood out for many reasons, but it was just the thought that one year ago - she was fighting for her life after being shot and seriously wounded while meeting with constituents outside an Arizona supermarket.
"Last year we had an empty seat next to the Arizona delegation," said Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who sat next to Giffords and helped her up several times to join in standing ovations for the President.
Flake said it was an "awesome" moment when Mr. Obama stopped and gave Giffords a hug, as for that minute, the specter of partisanship melted away. Flake seemed close to tears as we talked in the midst of the din of the post-speech scramble for interviews.
"Her face was so happy," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), who became a champion of Giffords in the weeks and months after her terrible injuries.
"He was so glad to be there to embrace her," the Florida Democrat said of the President.
It was a reminder of how much the same thing had happened back in August, when in the middle of a dramatic House vote on a deal to raise the debt limit, Giffords returned for the first time to the House Chamber - it was a complete surprise for many lawmakers.
For several minutes, the same lamwakers who had savaged each other for weeks suddenly forgot about their battles, cast their votes on the debt limit, and rushed to greet their frail colleague.
And this time, many friends rushed over again to say hello to Giffords, who still has trouble with her speech.
"She patted my face," said Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who went over and slipped a handwritten note to Giffords.
"She inspires all of us; her courage, her willingness to continue," said Lewis.
"It's going to be very emotional," the Georgia Democrat said of Giffords' last day as a member of the House, as today the Arizona lawmaker will hand in her resignation in order to focus on her medical recovery.
"I'm reading her letter of resignation," said Wasserman Schultz with more than a hint of emotion in her eyes.
"It's going to be a tough day."
The Gabby Giffords story will live on for many years, while your average State of the Union Address - well, the details are often quickly forgotten.
