June 13, 2020 - Graduation in Cars.

This year, the high school graduations were held in cars - each kid and family in their own car, decked out in school colors  (ribbons, balloons, signs), driving to the high school parking lot, lining up and getting the diploma through the car window. Their houses decorated to the nines, with large proud signs for their grads - there's no other way to celebrate, no place for a party, no Project Grad night. Did they Project Grad Zoom? Or  were they stuck hanging out with the same set of folks they've been quarantining with - little brothers, parents, maybe a grandparent or two.

Oh lord, that would be a night, eh?.  

In the neighborhood, one young girl stood alone in front of her garage, dressed up and spiffy, music blaring from the speakers deep in the house, as her family, friends, maybe even teachers, drove by, stopping across the street, trunks and back doors opening for the dad or brothers to collect boxes and bags decorated with balloons and wild ribbons while she stood there and waved and smiled.  She had lots to smile about, her acceptance to UC Santa Cruz painted on the garage door, along with "So PROUD of YOU."  But graduation night was always about being shed of your family for so many glorious night hours, out with schoolmates, whether you liked them or not, doing what all we won't mention but remember for decades.

This will be the shared experience of Graduation 2020, though - sequestered with family, Zooms and Facetime with friends. standing in the driveway, spotlighted by glancintg headlights as the sky deepens into night.

Pretty sure there'll be attempt at car-parties or something like that; everyone driving to some remote parking lot or country hangout - and if they aren't necking and kissing like they want to, then they are at least yelling and laughing and dancing on their own little square of pavement, yearning to touch ...but nervous, too. 

How will we re-engage with the world, eh?  One doctor, Amita Sundar, has a few ideas about what she considers safe enough theses days.

Tennis makes the cut and smaller social circles. And not much else.

 

https://slate.com/technology/2020/06/advice-on-reopening-activies-er-doctor.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab