My niece graduated from college last month. I was just going through the photos and these two struck me as something to share for project blue.
I like all the hustle and bustle going on in the first shot. It was a couple of hours before the ceremony and family, friends, and graduates were all milling around - taking photos and looking for classmates and trying to cut the line for water.
I especially like the young man to the right, with his shorts and flip-flops under the gown. And the red-haired man leaning over - he was calling to a young child to come be in a photo. The little girl (out of camera range) was telling everyone she wanted to graduate too - her Mom said she would - in about 18 years - and the girl said "No! - that's too long! Today!"
The second photo was taken at the start of the ceremony, just as the graduates took their seats. I love the rows and rows of blue caps. Each one a person having one of the biggest days of their life - and each one of them connected to each other and to those in the audience.
I find it so bitter-sweet. Bitter because they deserve better than the state of the world today. Yet sweet - and hopeful - as each one of them is so young, so strong, so full of promise.
Make sure to stop by Anna’s Place and see more Project Blue.
38 comments:
I feel the same way about graduations... and did when I graduated from college 11 years ago.
I, too, like those rows of blue caps.
:)
I like your graduates pics!
Those pictures remind me of my high school graduation, we had blue gowns and caps.
rebecca - it's nice to know others share those feelings
thank you junierose!
tammy - I think blue cap and gown is most striking.
Wow! It's been a while since I've been my graduation!
I remember my college graduation. It was like 90 degrees and 90% humidity. Luckily for me I was at home cause I didn't go. I told them to just mail me that diploma when they got a chance. LOL
I love the blue gowns and caps. What struck me too were all the different shoes...pretty high heels, comfy flip flops, one looks barefoot.
I do wonder with concern how the world will be when my boys wear the caps and gowns. Maybe we will be amazed and awed by what your niece and her graduating class will do for the world.
Great post!
That's so interesting - Baby and I were just discussing how bitter sweet the graduation we attended this weekend was as well. I love the shots!
These are great shots! It makes me realize how fast its all going by...
ps- Target specials are the best!!
Well said, Dianne! lol!
Sooooooo that's what a graduation looks like! Never been through or to one. Well I did go to one a few years ago but it was cold rainy and in December and I was in the nosebleed seats.
Dianne don't fucking despair over the times, they are different yes, but fuck 'em, we are an adaptable species and we are doing just that. We see we meld and we change as the situation dictates. I think of bush' mess as a bad acid trip, this shit will end soon enough and then the work begins.
Hunker down, hang on to what you can, share what you have and accept whatever help is offered. And let go what you can't hang onto and forgeddaboutit.
Graduations make me hopeful, too. The graduates deserve better, to be sure. But maybe they'll rise to the challenge, using the world as fertile proving ground for their greatness.
What a great interpretation for the theme! I love graduations, everyone is just so buzzy & ready to take on the world.
I think we're going to see great things from the younger generations.
cool photos Dianne, I don't think we have graduation hats over here. definately not when we leave high school, I dont know about university though. For something so formal i had a good giggle at the footwear that was worn, especially the thongs (flipflops)!
this was lovely.
and the whole world deserves better than the state of it today, right?
The blue caps are like a river running through the crowd. The dud with the flip flops made me style. It's the height of laid back academia surfer style! LOl!
Nice theme for project blue :)
Man - I HAAAATE graduations! I don't even go to my own anymore (including law school graduation)!
There is something wonderful about all that energy and creativity and hope - and all the possibilities that these young people bring to the future. Great project blue theme. I liked that sea of mortar boards...
teena - they didn't even have color when I graduated LOL
jay - years later, do you regret not going? my son didn't go to his and now he's sorry.
snoopmurph - there was every kind of fashion goin on under those gowns.
with parents like you and Tom your boys have an amazing head start on the future but I know what you mean - so much seems beyond repair.
etk - so many emotions on a day like that. congrats to your grad.
britt - years seem like moments when you measure them by the children in your life.
thanks Michael!
mark - I'm hunkering! I'm hunkering! and I don't despair as much as think too much (I think)
LOL on the bad acid trip, hopefully it doesn't come back!
diane - I hope so! the speaker was Lisa Ling and she spoke about activism and a lot of the kids reacted so strongly - in a positive way.
jo - you're right! the energy coming from these beautiful young people was contagious.
annette - some of the dorms had contests to see who could wear the most original outfit under their gown. one girl wore a bathing suit. another kid wore a monkey suit - I think he regretted that when the sun came out LOL
karey - thank you. and yes - the world needs so much tender care.
bobkat - that flip-flop kid was a hoot! I told him I had a crush on him LOL
a river of blue caps is a beautiful way to describe it, thanks
awwww tranny - I'd come to your graduation and hoot and holler when they said your name.
raven - mortar boards! we've been talking about what they're called!! of course you would know.
and yes - the energy that day was healing.
When I graduated from nursing school we wore our white uniforms and carried bouquets of roses...it was lovely and a very proud day not only for me but for my family as well....thank you for sharing her day...
The flip flops caught my attention too. I think it's great that he (they?) were comfortable enough to go that route on a normally "stuffy" occasion.
smalltown rn - I imagine it was a wonderful day! I got a chill when they called my niece's name and of course I got teary. I was wonderful to hear each family cheer for their graduate - all 1361 of them :)
leighann - a lot of them wore flip-flops. that kid was hilarious, what a charmer and sooooo funny.
I love the flip flops also. So casual on such a big day...I just love that.
we don't have ceremonies like that here so i have enjoyed seeing photos from one.
me too karen :)
thanks
glad you enjoyed the photos juliana :)
Great photos and a very thoughtful post too.
Good pics. Those flip-flops really kind of stand out, don't they? lol
thanks cg :)
they do betty! something tells me that kid is going to stand out his whole life.
That Romper Room rant was very fun. I like your sense of humor! But I must say that I remember Romper Room, so I don't think it was the 60's. :-)
Dianne,
Both photos are very poignant. It gives us hope for the future, though the graduates will have their hands full managing the state of affairs in today's world.
Congratulations to your niece on her graduation.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the photos of the storm damage. Yes, the tree came very close to our vehicles. We were lucky it toppled toward the street and also that there were no injuries.
Take care and have a great week.
Blessings,
Mary
they're young, strong and full of promise...that sums it up nicely. I wonder if they're seeing the world as we did so many years ago....I hope they keep some rose colored glasses in the drawer for emergencies. ;)
Eek! I came back and realised that my comment made no sense whatso ever! That'll teach me to blog at work towards the end of my lunchtime! It was meant to read 'The dude in the flip flops made me smile, it's the height of laid back academia surfer style'!
Oops!
Graduations are always exciting. They're about to go out into this world and find out what we already know and they wouldn't listen to. lol.
Peace
I like the lush green backdrop. Great pics, Dianne. Cheers!!
timtim - glad you liked the rant ;)
I looked up Romper Room - it ran - on and off - from 1953 to 1994 - so many generations were victims!
mary - thanks. they sure will have their hands full. I was truly relieved to see you were OK after the storm - amazing how just a foot one way or the other makes all the difference.
tt - my rose colored glasses are so worn out! do they even sell them anymore?
bobkat - I speak typo! I knew exactly what you were saying. :)
odat - true! but they do need to figure it out for themselves don't they.
matt-man - thanks kiddo. the lush green backdrop is 'sleeping giant mountain' - I didn't have time to go up where you can capture the whole scene but the mountain looks like a giant sleeping on his side. you can clearly see the formation - it's pretty cool.
Great Blue pix Dianne! Don't you just love how laid back and casual kids are today? I remember panty hose and dresses when I was graduating... Ha!
Mary - oh yes! the dreaded panty hose! these kids are so much smarter than we were when it comes to comfort!
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