I went to a couple of graduation parties this evening, before and after the actual ceremony, which I also attended in order to shoot some photos for the newspaper. Fun times, a few tears and some halfway decent pictures.

I had a flashback to Graduation Night 2000:

Judy, Stephanie, Diane and I spent a good portion of that afternoon at Cajunfest at the Pheasant Hollow Winery. Now, I've never been much of a wine drinker -- mostly because wine usually gives me a headache, but also because, in general, I don't care for the taste of wine. I realize wine is probably regarded as more of a sophisticated drink than, say, a cold beer, but I've never really liked the so-called "good wine"; I prefer the sweeter, fruitier wine. (Go figure!)

However, the thing about me and wine is, I basically have to choke down the first glass because all I can taste is the alcohol, but by the second glass: I DON'T CARE!

Anyhoo, it was a warm day at Cajunfest, and the four of us drank wine for two or three hours, to the point that we were all sufficiently tipsy. Somehow, we made it back to town, and after being dropped off at home, I decided to watch American Beauty, which I had not yet seen. And sometime in there, I might have driven to a couple of liquor stores to pick up some Captain Morgan's spiced rum because a certain someone had suggested I try it ... but then again, that might've been after the next year's Cajunfest. (Truthfully, my memory on such matters isn't all that great.)

Whatever. Suffice it to say I was sufficiently bombed, either on wine and spiced rum or wine and cold beer, when Becky came to pick me up to go to Jenn's graduation. Becky was covering the event, and I was going to see my little buddy get her diploma.

I walked to the East Gym, where the graduates were putting on their caps and gowns and preparing to walk over to Rich Herrin Gym, the site of the ceremony. I found Jenn, and I promptly walked over to her, took her face in my hands and kissed her, right on the lips, right in front of anyone who cared to notice. Jenn just smiled and giggled, and I smiled and headed back to the other gym.

I stayed just long enough to see Jenn graduate, and then I left the gym, walked over to nearby Hey Carl's for another beer and then walked the 15 or so blocks home.

I watched the rest of American Beauty before passing out for the night. I had to watch it again the next day because I really didn't remember anything about it except for the ending.