Today I:

- Watched the first two acts of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

- Sweated over the computer skills test job interview I had today

- Cursed the job after hearing there will be a second round of interviews if I pass this stage

- Attempted to find time to read the first book in the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brien. Progress: Ongoing

- Tried to finish off my Hot Artichoke Dip and failed. Again

- Wasted $4.00 worth of lean ground beef and maple ham deli meat

- Worked on my never-ending-cross-stitch project while watching "I Love Lucy" (Because really, who doesn't love Lucy?)

- Watched the "Watchmen" trailer and can only hope the movie lives up to the trailer

- Spent an entertaining three hours talking with a roommate about the nature of anarchy. Any thoughts?

- Watched this, and can't wait to see "The Dark Knight". If you liked it then check out the YouTube channel. I know only the very basics about superheros and find these clips hilarious.

You're an Alumni! Now give us money Part 3

Finally, here is the last installment in my Convocation. I can't believe it's been three weeks since I became a graduate!

We filed into the amphitheatre, marched onto the stage and filled the seats. The entire audience was standing and some professor was pounding away on the giant organ that dominates the stage. All I could do was smile because he reminded me of "The Phantom of the Opera" version with Lon Chaney Sr. I felt as if I'd intruded on some archaic cult meeting. Professors I didn't know were wearing funny hats and all you could hear was the organ, bright and brash thanks to the great acoustics.

But, as the grads filled the seats on the stage and on either side of the organ, I noticed the line I was in continued up and up and through a doorway. We weren't in the auditorium and longer and I started to panic. I was graduating right? I'd received confirmation of my convocation so where were we going and more importantly where was my seat?

Fortunately I didn't voiced these concerns as we filed back into the auditorium through another door and were seated on these oh so cushy, high-backed seats. I felt a little sorry for the grads seated on stage. I was tucked away on the side and could relax, slouch even if I so chose.

There was a problem though. Remember how I spent about an hour trying to memorize those instructions for not looking like an idiot while graduating? I was seated right above the presenter, the podium and the mark where I was supposed to stand. The problem was I couldn't see any of that from where I was sitting.

The stage was beautiful though. The Chancellor's chair and the base for the mace were decorated with native symbols. We were told to be seated and a professor came out carrying this giant glittering mace. We then had to recite 'The Pledge'. This involved swearing a blood oath and promising our first born child and a healthy endowment to the university. Okay I'm kidding but it did sound very cultish. It was more along the lines of promising responsibility and loyalty when it came to accepting our degrees.

And then there were the speeches. When I first looked at the program and how many of us were graduating and the number of speeches, I thought we were going to be there all afternoon. Strangely enough I was wrong. The speeches were concise, heartfelt and inspiring.

Then the degrees were handed out. My degree was practically last on the list so I devoted my eyes to watching exactly what everyone before me did. The only parts I could see though was when the student knelt, the Chancellor tapped them with his cap, moving your own tassel, accepting a degree and what I thought was an Alumni pin.

The Chancellor barely gave anyone the chance to kneel as he whacked them with his cap. Some poor girl's boyfriend shouted out "I Love You!" from the crowd as she crossed the stage. You should have heard the audience titter at that. Finally, my row was escorted down to the stage. I of course, being the first in line for my degree was trying not to hyperventilate.

First someone checked I had my name tag, someone else checked the pronunciation, and another checked my name off a list. So many people to keep this well-oiled graduating machine going. I was told to wait as everyone clapped for the last degree conferred on graduates and then my turn. Step up to the mark, find the camera, smile, wait for your name, cross the stage, remove cap, kneel, get tapped, replace cap, move tassel, accept degree, accept pin.

My degree came in what looked like a five cent duotang. Later my parents told me that they'd received these nice padded display cases when they'd graduated. UVic is cheap man, really cheap. And that pin I was supposed to receive, turned out to be this flimsy little wallet to keep my 'alumni card' in. That's when I realized I didn't know how I should get back to my seat. I could only smile at the professor standing at the bottom of the stairs and start to climb.

When I reached my seat there was this great sense of relief. I was a graduate! When I ceremony ended I raced outside to get some nice pictures with my family. I also purchased an over-priced frame for my degree because there was no way I was going to let it languish in that duotang. There was some free food to be had, I returned my cap, gown and sash to get my deposit back and went home for my grad party. Overall a very satisfying day.

Now I just need to buckle down and set an appointment for grad photos. Otherwise I'll never hear the end of it.

My Convocation Vacation

After my graduation we went on a mini vacation with our American friends. Here's a brief summary in photos of where I went.

The Legislature
We went on a free tour of the Legislature. On our way there we saw a wedding party with all of the men dressed in bright red turbans and the women in maroon saris and gossamer veils. We also ran into Matthew "The Hanging Judge" Begbie and Sir James Douglas outside. They thought we were inappropriately dressed and asked if we were convicts. This picture is the inside of the dome. That's real gold by the way.






The Legislative Chamber

This is where the provincial government and opposition meet to pass and discuss bills. The Speaker sits on the throne-like chair and mediates between the two. Something I found interesting is that the width of the aisle, separating the government and the opposition is two sword lengths because back in the day men brought their swords to work with them. (It's sad that today's workforce hasn't upheld this tradition). It was to keep them from cutting each other up.




Coat of Arms

This is BC's coat of arms in stained glass. The latin means "Splendour without Diminishment". Notice that there is a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland, clover for Ireland and daffodils in the background for Wales. The Union Jack is in the middle with the sun over it. This is where the designer made a mistake. The saying goes that the sun never set on the British Empire but here it looks like it's setting. The elk and the bighorn sheep symbolize the joining of two colonies to form British Columbia. They were originally the Colony of Vancouver Island and the Colony of British Columbia.

Cowichan Bay

This is a sleepy fishing town we visited on our drive. We walked out on the docks and saw a gigantic wooden pleasure boat being restored. A number of boats were in dry dock being repaired and a whole host of boats were bobbing in the bay.

True Grain Bakery

We stepped into True Grain Bakery to get something sweet for lunch. You could smell fresh baked goods from outside so you can't even imagine the intoxicating scents mingling in the air when we stepped inside. It was warm and cozy and you could tell it was a regular hang out for locals. They were seated in worn chairs, nursing mugs of coffee. A couple of mouth watering choices later we were back on the road.

The Searcher

We arrived in Chemainus, home of world famous murals and while walking around I spotted this man. It seemed a strange place to put a statue and I can only wonder at what he's looking at. If there had been a way to get up there and peek through his telescope I would have.



Anchors Away!

After spotting a pair of hummingbirds and an inn that looked like castle I found this piece of art masquerading as someone's fence. I love how the light shines through the cutouts.






Albert Einstein?

This is one of the murals I found. I can't decide if it's Albert Einstein with a feminine haircut or a woman with an Einstein moustache? What do you think?











World War One at Canada Post

I really liked this mural because of the combined elements. As well I have connections to WWI so this had special meaning for me. If you ever get the chance to drive up island do stop in Chemainus. Every time you turn around you see a new mural and it seriously discourages graffiti.

The Crow and Gate

Our next stop was for lunch at an English Pub called The Crow and Gate. It's a ways off the beaten path but well worth the drive. It sits behind this pond covered it lily pads and you have to walk under an arbor to get to the front door. An arbor! Once inside there's lots of old memorabilia and tons of coasters tacked to the ceiling from all over the world. You have to seat yourself and grab your own utensils. Then you order at the bar and bring your own meal and drinks over. I've never been so happy to serve myself food. It had a cozy atmosphere but it lacked the low ceilings and the roaring fire I'd always imagined in my head when I thought about English pubs. Of course there are building codes about minimum ceiling heights and a fire wouldn't be very cost effective in summer.

The Frog Prince

This guy was sunning himself on the lawn as we left. He was completely unafraid of me and even seemed to want to have his picture taken. Feisty little fella.







The Black Swan

And then comes the pretty boy of my vacation. He was gobbling up as much grass as his long neck could reach, the greedy pig. When we got too close he arched his neck and spread out his back wings. I think they'd been clipped or else he'd been in one crazy fight. He was aggressive but isn't he a beauty?









Parksville

This is my favourite shot in the whole bunch. We were able to stay at my aunt's condo for a day. You can usually walk out about a mile to reach water and that weekend it was record low tides. My mom and I walked out, wading in pools warm as bathwater. If you do come here and want to go waiting be prepared for mudskippers. Every step brings them darting out of their holes.

Anemone

I've been coming to Parksville for a long time and I've never seen one of these guys on the beach. Fortunately he was in a pool and so safe from drying out. We managed to also save a starfish from the beach and I tried to avoid stepping on the piles of sand dollars. We had a tasty dinner, a fire and watched "Superman", a movie out American friends had apparently never seen. Yeah I know, how does that happen?

Cathedral Grove

The next day we drove up to Cathedral Grove. It's a really pretty old growth forest along the highway. This is my artsy shot of the group. I have no idea what plant this is but by the time I left I'd gotten my dad to identify pretty much everything I saw.

Nurse Log

Okay so this is another artsy shot. I love the perspective here. When dead trees fall down and rot, they become great places for new plants and trees to grow. As it decays it provides nutrients and the hollows gather moisture and other detritus like soil and needles.




Organic Motherboard

I promise this is my last artsy shot. We crossed the road and saw a ton of trees that had fallen over, their shallow root system like a woven carpet. Worms left an artistic texture to the wood and I couldn't help myself.











Goats on the Roof, Say What?

On our way back down the highway we stopped in Coombs. Not only is the place a tourist trap but there are also goats on the roof. Let me explain. There's grass on the roof and what's cheaper than a natural lawnmower? If you stop here you must have ice cream. You must. It's the law. Really.

You're an Alumni! Now give us money Part 2

I had a great time up island and I'll post the pictures later this week. Anyway, on with the story.

I'm looking for my Regalia receipt and I'm not yet at the point of tears but I'm getting there. I have twenty minutes before we have to leave and everything hits the fan. I dashed into my room and rifled through papers on my dresser when my eye fell upon a piece of pink paper sitting between two books. I didn't dare to think but I plucked it up and gingerly opened it to see "Regalia Receipt" printed in bold across the top. I swear you could hear my sigh of relief all through the house.

My mom, who is always cool as a cucumber told me to hurry up and get dressed after I yelled and waved the slip above my head. We drove up to campus early to try and get some extra tickets for our American friends. After a desperate hunt for a parking space we walked over to the box office. It was weird seeing students walking around and knowing there were still classes going on around me.

The scene at the box office was ridiculous. We arrived at 12:30 and they weren't going to open for an hour, knowing that the line up outside was for extra tickets. Why on earth they didn't just hand them out when the line started I'll never understand.

I wandered off to find my Regalia and fortunately there was lots of signage for the directionally impaired like myself. I handed my slip off to some towering giant of a graduate and like a dumb sheep, followed him into the Senate Chambers. When he got over to the rack of gowns he turned around and gave me the strangest "What the heck are you doing here look" and told me I was supposed to wait outside. Bashfully I apologized but in my defence he had said nothing to the effect of "don't follow me in here".

He handed off my gown and hat and my sash which was a lovely green. Strangely enough I'd worn a green shirt to go under the gown, not knowing the colour of my sash. Back at the box office the line stretched the length of the Centre while the man in the booth calmly staring at a computer, probably playing MineSweeper or some other mindless game. My next task was to make a phone call home about where to meet and get tickets. But my hunt for a pay phone proved elusive. It's strange how a place can change so much in one month. I wandered to the back of the Centre and then to the Clearihue building where I knew there were phones. Unfortunately though, they were replaced with "courtesy phones" for emergencies and 911 calls. So in frustration I walked over to the SUB, all the while, carrying my gown and hat and sash, my arm growing hot under all that polyester. But alas, the SUB phones are all courtesy now as well. I threw up my hands and just grabbed a receiver. On the way back I managed to drop my sash twice on the dirty sidewalk and heard a strange bird racket behind me. When I turned I saw a falcon and crow duking it out amongst the trees. They were extremely loud and you could hear their wings hitting branches.

I wanted to stay and take bets but I had to get back and find the room where I was supposed to "Assemble". Fortunately the rooms were also clearly marked and there were quite a few half-dressed graduates-to-be leaning against the walls. By half-dressed I mean they had their gowns on but their hats were askew and their sashes hung limply about their shoulders.

There was a list of instructions on the chalkboard that I desperately tried to remember. It involved removing your hat, kneeling, putting your hat back on accepting degrees and pins, lining up, not tripping on stage, smiling for a photo, hitting your mark, etc. This was when I started to get nervous. Everything got worse when I picked up a program and noticed that I was listed first in my degree. I hate going first! If you're in the middle you've had a chance to watch how people ahead of you perform and can iron out any wrinkles.

So my sash was pinned on, I had to keep straightening my hat and then we had to line up, holding name tags for whomever would introduce us to the audience. We filed out of the room and I got this sick feeling deep in my stomach. This was a bad idea. People graduate without attending the ceremony. I didn't need to be here; I could still back out and avoid throwing up and/or tripping on stage. But by the time I considered my options we were moving.

You're an Alumni! Now give us money Part 1

Yesterday I graduated.

The day was amazing and agonizing, quick and slow, frustrating and tasty. I didn't want to face the morning because I knew it would mean I was that much closer to that bloody stage with its floodlights and its audience. My only consolation was that afterwards I could have pie. Pumpkin pie. I'm serious when I say that I was more excited about pie than getting my degree.

So of course I had to get dressed up and on campus at least an hour before "The Ceremony". The quotes make it seem more like a human sacrifice don't they? (According to my parents some graduates looked like they were on their way to the guillotine). But we had to get up there two hours ahead of time to try and grab some extra tickets for friends.

But I needed my Regalia receipt to collect cap and gown. Wouldn't you know it but the darn thing isn't where I left it. This happens all the time with my car keys but there usually aren't dire consequences if I can't find them. I'm hunting through piles of paper wondering where that stupid pink slip of paper is. Then my mom asks what I'm doing and of course I have to tell her and she gives me that look. You know what I'm talking about. It's that look of disappointment you receive after falling and scraping your knee when you were specifically told your shoelaces were undone and ignored the advice to do them up. In the back of my mind, as we're flipping through books and rifling through receipts, I'm thinking about pie. That moist pumpkin taste, topped with homemade whip cream. The buttery flaky crust that melts in your mouth. Are you hungry yet? Does this help?



So I'm wracking my brain, trying not to have a panic attack about where I've put that receipt. Meanwhile the father and the almighty grandmother have been informed of my debacle. At this point I *facepalm* as I cannot conceive of where the darn thing could have gone. Logically it should be where I left it but Murphy's Law has decided to kick in on today of all days.

It's then that I remember I put out three bags worth of recycling yesterday. Do they pick up today? So I make a beeline for the recycling and yes, it's still there but now I have to dig through piles of shredded paper looking for a pink slip like a woman crazed. Long story short, I made a mess, cleaned up the mess but still no receipt. At this point I wanted to pull out my hair, weave it into the semblance of the receipt and present it at Admissions, desperately hoping they won't notice the difference.

This would only happen to me. You wouldn't believe how carefully I guarded my tickets and parking passes. There was no way I was going to let those vanish into thin air. So of course the cruel hand of fate would have to interfere with the other precious slip of paper that I needed.



I'm going up island for a few days to relax so you'll have to wait a few days for the resolution of the story. Sorry, them's the breaks.

I am so ashamed

So you know how I made that New Year's Resolution not to buy any books this year? Of course you don't. I made one post about it and never mentioned it again. Well, I was one day short of the five month mark and I caved. I had weird hours at work and somehow ended up at Chapters. Don't ask me how I got there I have no idea. And I don't like shopping at Chapters because they're a big box store and have been subjected to ageism at one of their other branches.

So I'm in Chapters and my feet decide to take me over to the Bargain Tables. Now, the bargain tables at Munro's bookstore are much better because there's more selection and it's an independent bookstore so obviously the books have more awesome injected into the spines.

So anyway I picked up "Selected Poems by Emily Dickenson". I was so tempted because I love her work but I rationalized by saying "it's not 'The Complete Works'. Just walk away. Walk Away!" Big sigh of relief and then my eyes happen to settle on "The Complete Works of John Keats". Darn it! And then I manage to also find the complete and unabridged versions of "Little Women" and "Good Wives" by Louisa May Alcott. Having suffered through the Children's Classic Illustrated version where Beth just "disappears", I knew I had to have this version. (I used to think she just went on a really long vacation or maybe she ran away to the woods. That's the version I was told about my first cat).

You wouldn't believe how hard I've tried to not buy books. The other day I found myself wandering around in Munro's. I know, wandering into another bookstore by accident twice in one week? How does this kind of stuff happen? I found this great book about the Battle of Trafalgar with eyewitness accounts by various officers and even Nelson himself. (I have to admit I've got a bit of a crush on the guy. Naval tacticians are hot stuff. Yes I know it's weird but what I can say? I love a good broadside. Anyway, the book was only $3 and I made myself walk away.

I'm still going to try to keep my book buying to a minimum and use the public library as often as I can. But next year, next I'll try going longer without any purchases, maybe half a year.







Also, I would like to dedicate this post to Luc Bourdon. Vancouver Canuck, two-time World Junior Champion. He died on Thursday in a motorcycle accident. He was 21 years old and had his whole life ahead of him. I think the reason this has really upset me is because of his age and the fact that I watched him win both of those Championships. He had a bright future with the Canucks and now he'll never get that chance. Game four of the Stanley Cup on tonight paid tribute to him with a minute of silence and my thoughts go out to his mother and his hometown, Shippagan, New Brunswick, a community of about 2500 people.