Commencement
I’d wanted to complete this comic during the commencement ceremony itself (ala this great comic by Lucy Knisley), but that proved too unwieldy, so I just took some notes and then made this on my first night back in Northfield. I’m sort of glad I waited, so I could include post-commencement events, such as visiting the Quabbin Reservoir. It was sad (particularly after just evacuating my own Prescott home) to read about the townspeople who very much did not want to move out of their towns for this reservoir, and protested strongly against it, but lost.
Not mentioned in the comic, but very much worth noting, is that my wonderful friend Casey made the trip up from Vassar with his dad to visit me on my commencement day. Casey’s dad used to work at Carleton, but now he works at Vassar, so I don’t get to see Casey as often (at Christmas, etc.) as I might’ve. Casey, it was so nice to see you, even if I was exhausted and distracted! And listen: if you’re in Charlotte by June 4, you should go see Kate Beaton at Heroes Con.
I’ll head off to my first shift at Blue Monday in an hour or so. I feel very lucky to have a job! Here’s hoping I don’t screw it up.
PS Remember how I mentioned that Lois Bailey, Hampshire’s first accepted student, transferred from Hampshire to Williams? Peter Cole did the opposite: he went from Williams to Hampshire. He mentioned that in his commencement speech, as well as the fact that he had never been to a commencement ceremony before this one–including his own! In any case, I thought he gave a good speech.
May 24th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I’m back in Minneapolis now but I WANT TO SEE YOU. I’ll be back. I’ll ambush you at work (not fair that your workplace is my favorite spot in that town).
May 24th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Keep Hampshire Weird!
(with apologies to Austin, Texas and compliments to Peter Cole.)
May 24th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Commencement was really cool. I loved all the speeches (Cole’s especially. Etymology for the win!), which is rare for me. You encapsulate them very well. I am glad your dog is healthy. Mine is now amazingly shaggy.
Are you going to visit Hampshire anytime? Any chance you’ll see my show?
May 25th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Congrats on graduating!
May 25th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
It was great to see you too! (And your folks – hey, Sarah & Ross!) I’d say that odds are slim I’ll catch Kate Beaton, it’s not totally out of the question. Here’s to hoping!
Also, I meant to mention to you this past weekend that after thirty minutes on the Hampshire campus, it became utterly clear to me why you chose to do your Div III on labels and identity. Hampshire kids sure do love to get loud and brassy with their politics (personal and otherwise)! I was amused.
June 1st, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Thanks for the congratulations, people! IT’S GOOD TO BE DONE.
Madelyn: I hope you’re having fun with the Duluth tour, but come back soon! I hear you may be jamming with Goldfeather soon–I’m excited to hear the results…
Josh: I’m glad you also liked Peter Cole’s speech. I have no idea when/if I will return to Hampshire! Regardless, I hope you have fun being a Div III. Keep yourself healthy and happy and well-rested!
Casey: HA! It’s really satisfying to hear someone from the outside the Hampshire bubble comment on the place in that way. Even while working on Burn Book, I would sometimes forget that while I was there. But back in Northfield now, I just keep thinking, “MAN. God bless you Carleton kids and your, your FLEECE! And your FRIENDLINESS!” Hampshire hipsters can go choke to death on their own irony.