first there's dr. kim's wonderful introduction recognizing carl's accomplishments as a student filmmaker. then carl's gracious and emotional thank-yous to everyone in the room for their support. then natey nate's e-mail hello read by dr. rao. and then silly ol' me.

'do you want to say anything?' asks dr. kim from the audience as i strap on the guitar.

'uh... props y'all,' i say to the room in general. muffled laughter.

'carl's script was very inspirational for me... what was going to be just a few filler instrumentals and bits of mood music eventually became several full blown songs, lyrics and all, based on the characters and themes in the script.

'this is the first song i did for the project. i'd been tinkering with some chords and a melody, but i didn't happen upon the lyrics until one day in february. i was waiting for my flight to board at dulles airport in washington, just pecking out the chords on my travel guitar, when a group of nuns walked by. that put me on the track of the religious imagery in the song. and it's called 'apartment d.''

i don't perform it with the new verse. but i do pass the lyrics on to carl after the reception.

'tis the thought that counts, i suppose.

and he's arrived now. he's official. his first review.

a ridiculous review, yes, but still official.

props to nate, michelle, tom, brian, matt, janice, paul, dr. kim and the many supportive people of suny plattsburgh and wcfe.

xtra special props to carl.