Fifteen Minutes

I used up another minute or so of my fifteen minutes of fame today.  I spoke at UNT’s graduation.  It was a brief speech, and I do admit that I had a speech writer pen it, but it was still from the heart.  I’m not sure if my words will remain in hearts and minds of those 9000 people in attendance, but it was such a moving event to see all of them rise to their feet when I was done; a silent gesture that gives me hope that I helped to change their lives, even in the smallest way.  This is what I said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the University of North Texas Spring 2008 graduation exercises for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Our ceremony will begin momentarily, please take this opportunity to turn all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices off or to their silent mode of operation.  For the safety of our candidates and guests, only authorized press, university photographers and staff, and graduates are permitted on the coliseum floor.

Graduates will enter the coliseum behind the banner representing the department or program of their major.  Please rise and remain standing for our ceremony processional.”

I thought about opening with a joke, but it just didn’t feel right.  It was short, and to the point, saying exactly how I felt about today’s events.

Apparently I have a “great speaking voice” and was offered an opportunity to call names at graduation for some of the other colleges on campus (the smaller ones apparently).  I don’t know how that will affect my career — I’ll need to talk with my agent.  It pays $150…

In other graduation related news, apparently I also have a “great smile”.  I was sitting down off to the side after I had given my “speech” and a guy approaches me.  He tells me he’s with the University video department or something; he’s got a guy with a huge camera behind him.  I’m thinking, “oh great, I’m in the way of their shot and I’ve got to move”.  Instead, he asks me if they could use me for a shot they were needing.  Anyway, so apparently my smiling face is going to be a part of some promotional stuff for the university — which it’s only a little ironic that I’m portrayed as a graduate of UNT when I DIDN’T graduate from UNT nor did I even attend my OWN graduation from SFA (I went to Belize instead).  I signed a release form, so if the University gets rich off of this, I won’t see a dime.  I really need to add this to my “portfolio”.  Did I tell you about the time I was a hand model when I was in college?