Windchimes

trying things on

Fair warning, the following entry might should be rated xss for "extremely snobby sounding."

I just tried on my mortarboard, and my youngest daughter told me I looked ridiculous. She's right, of course. The things weren't exactly designed as a fashion statement, and the name itself suggests a tool more than haberdashery. I'm going to look funny at my graduation ceremony, but I plan on reveling in looking funny. I've gathered the cap, gown, tassel and decorative gee-gaws now. I will be gee-gaw gaudy. One set of gold-braid honor cords, one purple ribbon with a medallion pendant, one wine-red stole, and at least one pin. I'm a little miffed that I can't find my Phi Sigma Iota pin, but I reckon I've got enough bright colors to offset the basic black cap, gown and tassel. Now, if I can just figure out an attractive way to arrange my hair with that cap...well, if I can do that, I'm a magician as well as a college graduate. And my daughter tells me I should wear black shoes. I don't think I have any, and my preference would be ruby slippers anyway. Not glass, not leather, but something encrusted with red sparkly stuff. Maybe this should be rated xg for extremely girlie. I think I should go shopping for some ruby slippers, and I would, if I had a whisper of hope of finding some in my size. The English department has had a Wizard of Oz motif running through it at least as long ago as I added English as a second major. Something Dorothy-ish and something MaryAnne-ish, I should wear. I'm not sure, but I think I will be the only graduate getting a B.A. in French this time.

One of my sisters is coming with a niece and nephew and my dad to my graduation, and of course my parents-in-law will be there. I also have a friend who graduated with a degree in French a year and half or two ago, who says that she'll be there come hell or high water. I think a 9:00a.m. on Saturday ceremony is a little worse than hell or high water, but I appreciate that she wants to be there. I guess the adrenaline, or the excitement, or something, will have me wide awake and ready to go well before time to arrive for the proceedings.

One week, two days, and 16 hours till gee-gaw-golly, I'm a graduate.

J.H. Larrew
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