So I'm wearing this robe, which has got the golden brown stripe of University of London on the hood, and the hat is too big, so it keeps falling off whenever I nod my head.
I feel stupid.

People's parents are endearingly cute, snapping photos, proudly touching their children, who are not really children anymore. My parents are not there, as they don't speak English and I didn't have the heart to force them to sit through 90 minutes of speeches that to them would only be incoherent blabbering.

The ceremony begins with a procession of the podium party - I still don't know what qualifies to become part of this, but impressive they look in their (fancier) robes and hats. We stand.
Then there are speeches and we form a line in order to shake somebody's hand (such a soft hand! Still don't know who he was!) and I am gripped by sudden nerves, although all I have to do is shake and smile and not trip.
Then more speeches. Graham Swift is given an Honorary Degree and I must shamefully admit to never having read any of his fiction.
More speeches.
Then the national anthem (during which we stand) and then we proceed out of the hall into the green, quite appropriately to the sound of the Prince of Denmark's March.

Everything is very ceremonial but the atmosphere is friendly. There is a 'rod' of sorts, something to do with the council. There are two white-gloved men who move a chair back and forth. I don't know the significance of half of this, but it is still quite fun.

Then I got drunk. And decided that I really fancy doing a postgraduate course. Then I went home. And slept all evening.
posted by charlotte at 15:14 - comment