Graduation Day - Wed Jun 24

Tuesday afternoon I donned my crumpled suit and headed out into another glorious-skied day for Jamesy’s graduation ceremony – masterfully lit at Milton Keynes Theatre by the missus no less! It was a lovely afternoon actually, I’ve been to a couple of OU graduation ceremonies before and they’re always extra-special occasions. A timely reminder of What It’s All About For Me.

It’s about people who didn’t think they could get degrees, about people who didn’t even think they could study. It’s about people with full time jobs and families who are so motivated, so desperate to learn that they add distance learning courses onto their already groaning plate. It’s about the 90 year old woman awarded an honorary degree yesterday who’s been studying with, running student associations of, and vocally advocating for the OU since 1970. And about Jim, taking on two jobs and spending large chunks of his days hunched over a desk in the corner of his bedroom in our various shared houses over six long years. Count ‘em. Six. I can't even begin to measure the kudos.

The top OU face who was in charge did a really rather rousing speech at the end about the nature of the university, and my heart actually felt a little bit like it might have been swelling with pride in my job for the first time in quite a while. So I’m doubly glad I went, though it was a bit disappointing he didn’t get a mortar board. Humbug!

When I graduated (blimey – thirteen years ago next month!) the Chancellor of MMU took my hand in his huge shovel-like grasp and asked me what I was planning on doing next. “I’m going to be a famous writer, please sir”, I smiled. Clock’s ticking a bit on that. Hmmm….

And now down into the Ludamus Storm / Whirl / Chaos / whatever other platitudes I tend to use for these next three weeks when they come around again every year. Actually this year it doesn’t seem that Stormy, Whirly or Chaotic – some of the kids have already learnt all their lines, and cos literally half the script is songs there’s less to learn anyway. Songs are easier than lines, for sure.

So I don’t get to bask in the glow of Waterside glory for long – though the plaudits and positive feedback keep drifting in. Still can’t believe we keep pulling these things off! I guess we're graduating too, finally. ;-)

The Dog Whisperer and his canine attendants were waiting for me in the “Triceratops underpass” on the way to work this morning. Or so it seemed. I am sure he may yet have some part to play – for good or ill – ere the end. And then the blogging of Matthew may rule the fate of many.