It struck me yesterday that nowadays, we tend to experience all the major events of life through a camera lens. Somehow whenever anything important happens people seem to develop an irresistible urge to capture it on film. This has got so bad now that I’ve found myself actually missing things because I’m so intent on getting a good picture of it.

Yesterday provides a very good example of this. As you may know from Max’s blog yesterday evening, my oldest Daughter, Bryony, graduated yesterday morning at the Caird Hall in Dundee. This, of course, was a momentous occasion for her, and for those of us who turned up share the day with her. And, of course, it had to be captured on camera. So, when the big moment came and Bryony walked up on to the stage to receive her degree, all six of us – me and Hilary, Bryony’s mum, Sarah-Jane, and her boyfriend, and Tom, Bryony’s boyfriend all sat up to attention with cameras glued to our faces.

Since I’m able to video things with my mobile phone, my self-appointed task was to get the 5 seconds of Bryony’s fame on video.

Well, I failed! First of all she was too far away and I couldn’t make her out at all, then I clumsily zoomed in too far and it all went blurry and, by the time I had managed to focus the camera, she’d disappeared stage right! Then to add insult to injury I hit the wrong button and deleted the whole thing anyway!

So a complete waste of time. But the worst thing about it is that I missed it! I completely missed Bryony actually going up to receive her degree because I was staring into a camera. I didn’t even manage to clap!

Nevermind, the others got pictures of it so I’ll be able to see the moment when the Chancellor doffed her on the head with the Dundee University bonnet at any time!

And, of course, I got plenty of pictures later on in the day, some of which are posted in this article.

It did occur to me though that, in that moment when the Chancellor doffed her on the head Bryony went from being a student to joining the mass ranked of the unemployed. I think she’s got some holidays planned before finding a job, and I can’t say I blame her!

Anyway, congratulations Bryony on your First-Class honours degree. We’re all very proud of you!