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Boy, do I have a story to share with this video...
How do I even put this? I guess I'll begin by saying that after three (almost four) years of being on-off internet friends, we finally met in real life.
Now, HOW did this happen, some of you may ask?
Well, let's talk...
To those who don't know who Ky is: As I said, she's someone I've been on-off friends with since 2019, flash-forward to 2022, and she's currently at a local college to fulfill her aspirations of becoming a professional digital artist.
Flash-forward towards near the end of May 2023, Ky informs me that she's headed to "an important convention" in early August, and that would be none other than SIGGRAPH (Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics (and Interactive Techniques), she went as a student volunteer to boost her resume.
Naturally, the convention happened in Los Angeles, so she got to meet people who work in the industry and assisted with helping out the convention.
It just so happened to be the case that I live somewhat close to the area, that I decided to let time pass by, and when she flies in, is when I get a little more serious about the possibility of meeting up. With parental support, I inform them about the situation, and their incredible patience decided to go through with the plan.
So, by the beginning of August, Ky drops in the area and I come up with the idea to see a movie together. Naturally, the Alamo Drafthouse happened to have been located only 15 minutes away from where the Los Angeles Convention Center was, and after hearing all of the praise and hype, I bite the bullet and get those tickets for the 6:30 PM showtime of Barbie.
The timing could not have worked out better. No conflicting work shifts, only small amounts of traffic, and... on the afternoon of August 10th, my dad buys a hotel reservation - me and my mom drive off from home.
...and sure enough:
It happened.
Online friends no more.
After a semi-daunting process locating each other, we finally meet at the main entrance, and the next thing I know, we scream of joy, we run, and we tightly hug... but of course, my mom's in a lane about to move, so we have to run back to the car.
But when we arrive at the hotel, built-into the mall, which also happened to have the Alamo Drafthouse also built-in... that was when things really take off.
We break the news to our online Discord and Skype (in my case) friends, and it was all uphill from there. After spending a good 3 hours of doing nothing but exploring and hanging out, we decide to take the word of advice from these Alamo tickets and show up 30 minutes early, with some INCREDIBLY supportive staff to boot (too bad I didn't know how to tip...), especially because it was our first time.
We get in our seats, order our food, and watch a marathon of old Barbie ads on screen before the trailers roll, and the movie finally begins.
We laughed, we smiled, we were immersed... and following the movie, the video you see here commences. All at "the best movie theater I've ever been to", in her words.
Another hour passes, and it's time to say good-bye... but the memories that day had to offer will stay with me for the rest of my life.
The ultimate takeaway I have from this is to take pride with the friendships and relationships I have with my peers.
If you have any questions, please let me know.