Gradutation.

Cheers to the class of 2008.

I graduated from Chapman University on Saturday morning. Through the blistering heat and scorching sun, all grads and families stuck it out to watch us turn the tassels.

But seriously. I was damn hot. Commencement was not as comfy as I had hoped.

Here goes my day:

I was awaken at 5:30 AM by my frazzled English roommate saying, "Let's graduate, mother f*cker". The anticipation gave me the energy to sprout out of bed in a second and shower. After grabbing our black (note black) cap and gowns, we walked towards the Old Town Orange Circle, just a few blocks away.

We line up out side of Paul's Cocktail's and show our IDs to the bouncer. I know I look young, but I've been at this bar at least once a week for the past 2 months. I was wearing my cap and gown at 6 AM. I just wished the bartender could have cut me a bit of slack and not made me wait and show my ID. Fuck. I hate that guy.

The bar was packed with students, the bartenders were pourin', and students were chatting. My roommate and I took some shots for a toast, and then I started over to breakfast with a bloody mary. A reporter from the OC Register came over and interviewed me about the Chapman 6AM Graduation bar tradition! Check out the article if you're interested!

We then waltzed on over to the Wilson Field at Chapman to figure out where to line up.
It was already hot, I was tipsy, and I needed to go pee. Graduation was already a mess.

After seeing friends in line and sitting down, it set in. Not that I was done with college. I was amazed that we would have to spend the next 3 hours facing the hottest sun of 2008 wearing black gowns. This wasn't going to be easy. I felt as if it was the last hurdle that Chapman wanted us to leap over to get our degrees. 4 years of expensive schooling, now slow physical torture. Dynamite.

It was worth sitting through the heat though. I like ceremonial events. It was nice shaking Doti's hand when I got my diploma. It was great turning the tassel to the left side with my peers. After the ceremony was done, the Film Students gathered by the new fountain on campus and mingled with families.

My family was thrilled. I was suffering from mild heat exhaustion, hang overs, and emotional disbelief, so I was overwhelmed when my family wanted to get picture after picture with me. I actually blacked out for a moment. It was too much. After hugging and kissing were done with the family, I walked around with friends and met other families.

We were done. I've built some good friendships and some good memories these past four years. We have all come a long way. I have the best friends and family on earth.

Thank you Arthur, Audrey, Mom, Dad, MK, Randy, pets, Prescott Family, Laura, Kathryn, Darren, Anthony, Sebastian, Charlie, Thomas (Long and Bailey), Faraaz, Justin, Crystal, Enrique, Natalie, Dilshan, Ben Ras, Chris (Walls and Richmond), Dennis, Joey, Ed and Joe (may God rest his young and vibrant soul), Alan, Alex Cox, Lucca friends, everyone on every filmset I've worked on, North Morlan friends, Starbucks friends, Thunderboating friends, French friends, Professors, study Groups, Paul's Cocktails, cocktails in general, music, movies, travel, mistakes, etc.

If I forgot you, I am sorry. We can chat about it later.

For the first time in my life, I am proud of myself. I am the luckiest man on earth.

Cheers God, I'm going to destroy the Earth.

-jc del barco ii, B.F.A.