Commencement Day

So there I sat......inside the Comcast Center at the University Of Maryland. It was a big day......a major milestone. I never imagined having enough time left to be able to have sat there and watch as my youngest daughter "Noodle" paraded across the stage..........tears did come to my eyes.........I am a lucky and blessed man.

I had never been inside the Comcast Center before. I was a first for me. It's a very nice place indeed. At first I thought that not so many would be showing up for the commencement. It took a while but it soon filled up.

We had great seats............

..........and whatever you could not see close-up, would be on the scoreboard. This scoreboard played a huge role and saved the day for me as far as getting a momentous photo of the day.

The grads began to march out .........but wait...........we ain't so close anymore.........will I be able to spot Noodle?

YES!........there she is center right.  Thank God for the zoom on the camera!

Things got a bit more difficult though, as they filled the seats. Even with the zoom I had trouble keeping an eye on her.

Oh well........somehow it will all work out and I can capture the moment.

The problem with zooming the camera is that you lose light and focus. It is hard to hold still at such an exciting time. The new grads had been slowly winding their way to the stage.......row by row......one by one....they made their way to "seal the deal".........I was worried that the pictures would not be useable.......

........I fired off shot after shot......not knowing how they would look but knowing "something" had to work.

Darn!........there she is.......on the stage.......the moment has arrived!.........but I see that she is blurred........what can I do?..........and then it hit me.............Look UP and aim the camera quick!

I GOT HER!........It may be blurry........but I caught the moment.......the big smile on her face......this was a big deal..........and I am so proud of her. Gee.....I forgot to mention that she received her Bachelor's Degree!

She stepped off of the stage and stood still for a professional photographer.......argghhh........still blurry.....

I kept taking pictures as she walked back to her seat.

Movement........emotions.........distance...........all makes for some blurry photos........oh well.

Starting from the right..........my grandson, The Mayor Of Simpleton.........my wife, Supernurse.......number 2 son, Natty Elvis..........my granddaughter, Princess Fartknocker (blocked view).........Noodle's husband, Mac Numbercruncher............and although you cannot see them next to him, his mom and dad.

Afterwards, we all met up outside of the building for some pictures before heading home. "Natty Elvis" stood near a sign that I thought was a bit odd............arrows pointing "up"?

There she is.........my Noodle Girl! I am so proud of her.

Me and Supernurse are very proud of our Noodle Girl............she is such a "Terp".....hehehe.