That's how they did it in the middle ages, and that's how we do it now

[evilhippo]

So guys I, uh, have a degree now. How weird is that? The ceremony was pretty much what I expected it to be--fairly boring (save for one student's speech, which was wonderful, but he's been showing me up in my classes for four years, so I'd expect that from him), exceedingly long (every single one of us was handed our actual diploma, so well over a thousand names were called)... and it turns out there are only about two people in the the entirety of the Social Sciences division that I know.

And, up until today, I had no idea how steeped in tradition academic ceremonies really are. Also, I am considering getting my PhD just so I can wear the robes. Though I wouldn't get it from Chicago... ours are just maroon. I'd go to Barcelona or something, so I could have a fringed fez.

So, really there's a lot I should be writing. Yesterday was nuts, especially once my parents got here... We ended up crashing the party at the Museum of Science and Industry (technically the formal afterparty for the baccalaureate) in our street clothes. Which basically means, say, for my dad, who was the most outstanding example of disobeying the supposed fashion rules, a denim jacket, a paint-splattered t-shirt, and suspenders. Suspenders. Apparently a few kids mistook him for Santa Claus a few weeks ago (before he got his hair cut for my graduation). I love how my parents are a constant embarrassment. We put the truck's tailgate down while we were waiting for our table at the Medici today, too. I'm just going to pretend it's like a cultural thing or something. That's a good excuse, right? (All of this and I'm not technically embarrassed... more amused, really.)

P.S. I am still homeless.

Comments

[evilhippo.livejournal.com]

There were some really awesome ones. One of the history profs, I think, had one that was really bright blue, green, and red... and shiny. And there was a really stylish British guy I didn't know we had in my department, in a black robe with red sleeve linings and stuff. I think he was mostly cool, though, because he was British. (-;

Of course, if I get my PhD, I have to go into academia, otherwise I don't get to wear the robes on a regular basis. (I think if I go back to school, it'll be for something that has nothing to do with English, like paleontology. I could go for paleontology. Or basically any of those history-sciences where I get to make things up that sound plausible. ^_^)

[flutingfrenzy.livejournal.com]

When I was little, I wanted to be an archaeologist. I told people it was because I could spell it, but really it was because that's what I wanted to be. True story.

But anyway, who says you would have to go into academia to wear the robes? (The question of what else you would do with the degree, of course, is another matter.) At the very least, you could dress up as a Ph.D every Halloween.

[evilhippo.livejournal.com]

Hehe. I wasn't skilled enough to hide things like that. I wanted to be an astronaut. And there was a brief period before, when I wanted to be a nurse. I stopped wanting be a nurse, though, because my mom would always "mishear" me and tell people that I wanted to grow up to be a nerd. (And look what happened.)

Well, I could always be the weirdo with a PhD who wanders around town in her professorial robes. (I'd probably give lectures in them, if I was in academia. Every once in a while. Just to throw everyone off.) Maybe I could wear my robes to cons. ^_^