Graduation (again?)

So yesterday Mum and Stu picked me up and we drove to Bournemouth because this weekend is graduation weekend for those esteemed trainees who have completed courses since April 2007 at the College of Air Traffic Control, in numbers roughly 40 of us. As one of those who was successful I too was invited to join them.

The day started at about 10 o'clock in a marquee in front of the college. It was actually a great opportunity to show my parents what goes on in air traffic and those avid readers will remember that my dad, Mark, actually had been round before just before I completed college. To be quite honest though, trying not to sound so big headed, it is quite complex to understand, especially for those for whom air traffic control meant "the man on the apron waving table tennis bats" until that morning. So there were lots of blank looks and gawping coming from the crowd as, in one room, I attempted to demonstrate what it is we do in about 3 minutes on one of the simulators. Well it has taken me 18 months to get to my current level of understanding so I suppose they can be afforded some leeway in that department.

I digress.

After a typical company buffet lunch comprising nearly stale sandwiches and interestingly spicy chicken sticks we all reconvened in the Royal Bath Hotel which is the height of deluxeness. So there we had speeches, name calling (not the rude kind), hand shaking on stage and receiving of certificates with applause from the crowd. After this the champagne reception (hour and a half) was held in which the canapés and bubbly flowed freely. Happy times.

Next came the sit down meal with bow-ties and from then on I have to say my memory is blurry, but like a strange film trailer of the evening the key moments can be pieced together; accidentally spilling my wine all over the table and myself, dancing with my mother, drinking lots of Brandy, various over-affectionate embraces with my colleagues and collapsing into bed. It was here the night ended.