The ceremonial changing of my definition in life came and went through 3 student speakers give their shout outs, and around 300 kids--excuse me, freshly made adults--walk across the stage of the Greek Theatre and pick up a fake diploma. While I was incredibly excited to hear my name and make my family proud for the second weekend in a row, I was more excited about stepping on the stage where I saw Arcade Fire and Wilco. Even Mario Savio got tackled and arrested on this stage! I began to wonder why this was more interesting to me, and why I couldn't fully appreciate walking across the stage to shake the hand of a very important English lady in a house of the highest public education in the country.
What was wrong with me? Was it because my family didn't bring an obnoxious air horn?
Only after the last flash bulb had blinded me in a less than flattering photo by GradImages, I realized that my lack of enthusiasm for the academic graduating was the most comforting thing in my life at this moment. I was excited about music. Getting giddy about past performances at the Greek Theatre not only jump starts my passion for music, but it also pushes me to continue to strive for my goal as a music journalist. Recently I have been doubting my dream job because of set backs and intimidation, but as I walked across that stage to grab my fake legal document I knew that I had the power of an English degree and it could help me come back to this "Athens of the West" to see more shows like Van Morrison or Daft Punk and remember that I do have a voice worth speaking.
Now for your enjoyment here are some photos of the ceremony. All photography credit goes to Julia Pennick.
(oh yeah it was also the day of the Rapture)
