Nonfiction is Fiction: Unsuccessful Attempts at Creativity
First off, hey mama, happy mother's day! And to all of you moms out there, much love.
I was looking forward to this month all year so far...but so far it hasn't really materialized. Outside Conan O'Brien, I pretty much outlined by book, and I was on the way to kick ass, but so far it's been nil.
There are been roadblocks along the way, namely trying to get through this period of late nights at work with all the ethnic grads, events and whatnot. More on the eth nic grads after this. I've enjoyed staying late at work though, with all the happiness and hyperness of the end of the semester looming near. I have kids ready to graduate, students struggling to find footing in an uncertain period of their lives, and incoming newbs pounding down the door, looking for support when they haven't event finished reading their admission letters.
I've struggled with keeping up with my own projects, just not wanting to sit in front of a computer anymore than I already have. But I think as this summer starts to become a reality, I'll be here to see it through. Next month is painting, and I'm not sure where that's going to go. I haven't painted anything in a long time. I think I might switch gears as the deadline for the Anthology comes closer.
But back to Ethnic Grads. The world is such that with community graduation ceremonies, is that they take on a life of their own. In reality, the ceremonies are beautiful things. I've been to African American graduation ceremonies, Latina/o ceremonies, and every year since 1988 I've done Filipino graduation programs. i happen to love going to these ceremonies. All of them, really. I think the FIlipino ones are the only ones that don't fuckin' start on time. I feel the horns starting to come out, but people, seroiusly can we start shit on time? It's ridiculous to have an invite that says 7PM, and then start the fucker at 8PM. It breaks my heart to not have anyone help set up or even have the expectation that the ceremony will start on time.
I hate the suggestion of Filipino time. It's a joke, I know, but it's a reality that's not even cute. Kids, you should be on time. Get there ON TIME. Start ON TIME. People say it behind our backs and even worse they say it to our face. It's embarassing and very unprofessional for us. Oh well. And another thing too: guests eat first. Advisors, faculty, staff, whoever the hell you are, students, let your guests eat first! One last thing and I swear I'll stop: keynote speakers, remember you're there for the kids, not to subject us to your life story that has zero to no relevance to the lives of the graduates. Stick to the message. I've spoken to two filipino graduations as the keynote, and I think I know better. They don't remember you. They might remember what you say. They probably are drunk anyway.
I love this time of the year. I hate this time of the year. Over the next few days I have another graduation to attend, and on friday and saturday, a grand total of 6 graduations. I'll see you then.
Voodoo