May 05, 2003

Brett's College Graduation

My little brother Brett was graduating from Indiana University (with a degree in Music Education) so I decided to hop a plane and head out for the commencement.

Friday, May 9th

I wasn't planning on going, but I found cheap tickets online last minute. (Literally, I ended up buying tickets at 4am on Friday morning for a flight at 2pm later that day. What's better than the InterWeb? For seriously.)

brett — First thing we did after we dropped my bag off was head over to Stake 'n Shake. But before we get to that, check out my brother throwin' down with the crotch grab in front of his bitching ride. (Yeah, it's a station wagon, but it's a station wagon that does 0-60 in 4.88 seconds. That means his Subaru station wagon can take both a BMW M5 and a Corvette LS1 off the line. Whaaaa?). Anyway, this picture was taken in the parking lot of...

...Steak 'n Shake! I made fun of people that lived in the midwest...until I ate here. After just a few bites, it all made sense.

Two steak patties? Bacon? Tomato? Cheese? All on butter-grilled sour dough bread with "special sauce?" What? What is that? It's the effin' Melt Platter in the house, that's what! (I don't want to swear too much because there are graduation pics coming up and my Grandma might be reading this - Hi Gram!).

brett — See? Just like the pic!

brett — Oh, and how would you like to add an Oreo cookies 'n cream milkshake to go along with that? *drool*

See what I'm saying about the midwest? 24 oz cans of beer? See? See how they do out there?

amy b, brett — With a belly fulla Steak 'n Shake, we headed back to Brett's place. He cooked up a big fire in his portable, outdoor fireplace and invited some friends over to say goodbye.

Saturday, May 10th

On the way to Brett's graduation ceremony the next morning, Amy (Brett's girlfriend) pointed out Bloomington, Indiana's most famous landmark: The Subway where that Jared guy ate at everyday and lost 245lbs!

The graduation ceremony was pretty much the most boring thing I've ever had to sit through. My brother kept us entertained though - he has this freakish ability to wiggle his scalp and ears really vigorously, and he kept doing it and making his little graduation hat move back and forth.

After the ceremony, Brett and I went back to his house so he could change out of his robes.

Look! It's my old fridge from college...

...er, except Brett's made some, um, modifications! Like ripping out all of the shelves (so a keg fits inside), punching a hole in the side and running a C02 line in so that you can get beer from the tap (see above) without having to pump. These kids were not foolin' around.

brett, dad, me, mom — After a quick change, we headed over to the Opera House for a ceremony celebrating Brett's major.

brett — Brett up on stage (somewhere) with the rest of his class.

brett, grandma, grandpa — Grampa and Grandma with their not-so-little graduate. (In case you didn't know, most universities give have color-coded tassles for different majors that identify what discipline you received your diploma in. Check out the music school's pink tassles. Noice!)

brett, dad, me, mom — Brett with the fam.

amy b, brett — Brett with his main-lady, Amy.

amy b, brett — Amy put together a BBQ going away party for Brett at her place. Here's a group shot...

amy b, brett — And here's another group shot taken right after someone yelled "Titty Twister!"

brett — Unwrapping graduation gifts.

Sunday, May 11th

grandma, grandpa, mom — I had to catch an early flight back to NYC on Sunday morning...it was Mother's Day - so I met up with my Mom and Gram (so I could wish them a Happy Mother's Day) and the rest of the fam before hopping a shuttle back to the airport.

Look at the crazy wing - I guess that's what cheap tickets'll getcha.

Homeward bound. Congrats, Brett! I love you!