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When Van Wilder Graduates
Aug. 13th, 2011 08:44 pmSo my brother graduated from college today. Only took him seven years, but he did it. His university only gave each graduate four tickets to the event, which meant that I couldn't go down to see him. However, his university was smart enough to broadcast the ceremony live via the internet, so I sat on my couch and sewed the tassel trim on to the caps of my Steampunk costume and watched it on my laptop. I wanted to watch it on the HTPC, but that would have required kicking my husband off of his computer, something he clearly did not want to do. So even though I wasn't sitting in the arena to watch him get his diploma, I got to watch it live online and in real time celebrate with him. I'm sure he's out partying with the family tonight, which hopefully means that my parents are getting along for a change.
Anyway, I think the coolest part of the night was watching an 87 year old World War II vet get his PhD in history. Yes, you read that right. He was a freshman in college when the war broke, and he put his education on hold to join up. After the war he finished his bachelors, got married, and had kids. After his retirement, he decided to further his education, enrolling in a Masters course, ultimately leading him to start for a PhD at age 80. 80 and he started the process of getting a PhD. Seven years later, he got it.
It was awesome. I will admit I got a little misty eyed as the president of Florida International detailed his story. Further more, his wife and three daughters were there to watch this. It was a pretty cool thing to witness.
Anyway, aside from sitting and sewing tassel trim, I've also been researching engagement rings for my latest Haven fic. I had![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
teamspyder look at them with me in order to get a man's perspective, but also because I really needed a second opinion. You'll read all about the ring in the second chapter of "Boxes in the Attic," but if you're super curious, you can see the inspiration here. Stupid pretty, am I right? I had about four rings the choose from, the main criteria being that it had to look like an heirloom piece. But ultimately this one won out, and will be described, sort of, in the story.
And now back to the writing because I'm feeling inspired.
Anyway, I think the coolest part of the night was watching an 87 year old World War II vet get his PhD in history. Yes, you read that right. He was a freshman in college when the war broke, and he put his education on hold to join up. After the war he finished his bachelors, got married, and had kids. After his retirement, he decided to further his education, enrolling in a Masters course, ultimately leading him to start for a PhD at age 80. 80 and he started the process of getting a PhD. Seven years later, he got it.
It was awesome. I will admit I got a little misty eyed as the president of Florida International detailed his story. Further more, his wife and three daughters were there to watch this. It was a pretty cool thing to witness.
Anyway, aside from sitting and sewing tassel trim, I've also been researching engagement rings for my latest Haven fic. I had
teamspyder look at them with me in order to get a man's perspective, but also because I really needed a second opinion. You'll read all about the ring in the second chapter of "Boxes in the Attic," but if you're super curious, you can see the inspiration here. Stupid pretty, am I right? I had about four rings the choose from, the main criteria being that it had to look like an heirloom piece. But ultimately this one won out, and will be described, sort of, in the story.And now back to the writing because I'm feeling inspired.
