I'm not joking, it was real. I had my convocation yesterday for my last master in Ottawa (Carleton University), Ontario, and heard that Cameron will receive today a honorary degree in Fine Arts from my university. He came from Toronto, where he was awarded another one, so I decided to see him at school today. The convocation took place at 2:00 pm at the Gymnasium and Cameron was supossed to get the Doctor Honoris degree in Fine Arts and have the convocation address. I could not be in the room as the space was reserved for graduates and parents (+ friends) only. But the convocation was on TV in another building, so I crossed the campus to get there. On my way, lucky me, there was a secretly arranged press conference held in a discrete building, so I got the chance to pop in the lobby (I must have been the only student there) and caught the last 5 minutes of the press conference. I had Cameron in front of me, about 10 meters, answering to the last two questions from the media group. Later, I got lucky again, and as he was escorted by some profs through the university tunnel system, I got just behind Cameron, about 2-3 meters, and just followed the group until they went into an elevator. It was quite a funny walk behind him. I could barely resist the temptation to jump ahead and talk to him, but I thought it might be impolite. Later, I watched his speech at the convocation, this time on TV, but it was really funny. It was a long speech and really nice. He stayed in the gym room until the convocation was over, though it was very hot and humid (no air conditioning on). Somebody told me that he had a chance to talk and shake Cameron's hand today and he had a very good impression about Cameron. So I guess this was my graduation gift, to see Cameron at my school, and "graduate" at the same time together. I wish I could tell him how much I liked his movie and to ask him for a few words addressed to his "Titanic" fans. But I'm glad I saw him today... He left today for Toronto, and I guess tomorrow he will return to California.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), June 13, 1998

Answers

Dan:

Congratulations on your degree, and the opportunity to see James Cameron.

I guess the only word to say would be "Cool!"

-- Thomas M. Terashima (titanicShack@yahoo.com), June 13, 1998.

Congratulations Dan! Wouldn't it have been great to speak to him?

-- Emma (foo@bar.com.au), June 14, 1998.

Dan, what a fabulous day for you! Just think if you could have had him sign a Titanic poster it could be worth $1000! I would have asked him to release the expanded version of Titanic in theaters as soon as possible,but having met many celebrities while working in LA several years ago, I know how the right questions never seem to be in your mind.

-- michael pitt (xrrg10b@prodigy.com), June 14, 1998.

Dan, forget James Cameron--congratulations on *your graduation*!!

ml

-- Mary Lynne Nielsen (m.nielsen@ieee.org), June 15, 1998.

Yes, congratulations on your graduation!

Any chance of getting a transcript of the speech? What is his connection to Carleton University?

-- Crystal Smithwick (crystal@9v.com), June 15, 1998.

I doubt the transcript would be available, but I could post some passages from the convocation address that are in the local newspaper. His only connection with Canada is that he was born here and he kept his Canadian citizenship, as well as a required address. He received a honorary degree in Fine Arts (doctor honoris) from Carleton University, in an attempt made by the university to improve its image.

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), June 15, 1998.