This is getting ridiculous, although in a vaguely amusing way. Instead of merely reserving seats at the keynote for the alumni, today they hold the new folks behind ropes until the alums have found their way to their seats. So we few, we chosen few, walk past these "serfs" on the way into the keynote.

I mean, really. What message does that send? If watching it from the cheap seats was annoying, let me tell you that walking in front was self-conscious-ifying. Should I scatter pennies? Sneer at the groundlings? Give that little tittle of a wave the queen uses? Sheesh.

Next time, folks, let's set this up to be less cocky, shall we?

As usual, we start off with some musical stuff. This year it's less dramatic but actually, I think, more conducive to the flow. Still, a startinng charge from a deep beat and movement would be nice, and save the calmer, intricate stuff for a later day. Ah well, small complaint.

On the other hand, they're now doing crowd shots so we get to see ourselves on TV. Sort of like a ball game, but without the Cracker Jacks. Or the little kids. Or the big, drunk guys with painted letters on their chests.

Maybe next year...