#VidCon2013 Day 2

VIDCON DAY TWO! This post took me the entire month to write because I had so much to say. I tried to make my commentary as concise as possible while still showing how excited I was about everything that happened. If youtube isn't really your thing, you can skip the words and just look at the pictures, but you didn't need me to tell you that. 

At VidCon, getting somewhere a half hour early is like arriving an hour and a half late, so my anxiety level was off the wall when my friends and I showed up 30 minutes before the doors opened. It wasn't until we got into the building 20 minutes later that we realized we were in the wrong place! Because of a wrong turn our ride took when dropping us off, we unknowingly got in line for the mainstage when we actually wanted to be in line for the expo hall. Noooo! My friends and I scrambled through random doors until we found a side entrance to the expo hall. That's when God blessed us. The doors to the signing area hadn't been opened to community members yet, but no one was prohibiting people from using the side entrance either. In other words, we got to get in line for famous youtube peeps before anyone else AND we didn't have to wait in line for hours! We were the second group in line to meet Charlie (of Charlieissocoollike, duh). Thank you Jesus!

The line to meet Charlie and Friends right after we got out of it

Then a dude we met the day before let us hop in line with him to meet the British beauty gurus Zoella, Sprinkleofglitter, and Tanya Burr.  Honestly, they're people I don't watch, but my friend loves them and we got to cut in line, so good things!

An hour into waiting for the British Crew and I see Michael Buckley! Ten minutes after that... JOSEPH BIRDSONG! I love this kid. He puts the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop.

Finally our shot with the British Crew! (Yes, Caspar is from South Africa, but it's just like calling One Direction a British boy band even though Niall is from Ireland.) These five dudes have a combined total of over 5,895,000 subscribers. Girls were crying. We people were bribing other fans with money to let them cut in line. Marriage proposals were made. It was a zoo. Erin and I spent five minutes discussing who we were going to stand by: "I want to touch Caspar the most, but I don't really care about Joe or Jim." I'm lucky my friend is extremely generous and let me stand by Alfie and Marcus even though she's in love with Alfie.

Everything I learned about sex, I learned from Laci Green's sex education videos. She held a very casual meetup on the grass and it was so cool to just hang out with her. I could only stay at the meetup for a short while before I had to go back to waiting in line for the British Crew, so I didn't get to personally talk with Laci or get a picture with her. My friend, on the other hand, had a one-on-one with her and they basically shared their life stories.

 Being a Dave Days fan means you're a Chris C fan by default. Dave and Chris are real life best friends who often make collaborative videos which I obsess over. I saw Chris again on the second day and had him sign my shirt with pink sharpie (he's the only one who signed in pink!). We talked for a minute and he made a joke and it was a dream. Then I took 11 pictures of him without his knowledge. You know, for reasons.

Of course, we had to meet the queen of YouTube (and Twitter, Taco Bell, Tumblr, etc.). Tyler Oakley is special to me and my friends because he, like us, is from MICHIGAN. We didn't want to leave his line without a picture and a signature, so we got creative. Since massively popular youtubers can't do both without being there for 80+ hours, we figured that if we were last in line, he'd make an exception. We were near the end anyway, so we let a few groups of people cut in line and BOOYA we were last. He greeted us with open arms and we told him we were from the mitten state and he exclaimed, "My people!"

FiveAwesomeGirls fangirl moment! In eighth grade, I religiously watched 5AG, one of the best video projects on Youtube, so I was happy beyond belief to meet Lauren and Kristina. I also saw Liane, but she was smoking a cigarette with some dudes outside and I didn't want to interrupt.

During Meekakitty's singing set, I glanced behind me and standing an arms' length away was Shawna and Mitchell Davis! Mitchell and I made eye contact and he looked at me like, "Please don't ask for a picture," so I pretended to act as if it were completely normal to have two of youtube's most inspiring content creators standing behind me. Shawna was a sweetheart though and stayed to take pictures with fans after her best friend's performance was over.

The hotels on Anaheim Convention Center's property are prime grounds for meeting youtubers of all ranks. Walking around the lobby is like walking into that one Disney Channel special where Raven, Hannah Montana, and Zack & Cody are all staying in the same hotel. As I strode to meet the main dude from Epic Meal Time, I turned around for a second and saw someone a thousand times better. Troye Sivan had miraculously made it to the front desk without having a mob of fangirls following him... and then my friends asked for pictures which attracted a line of people. Sorry Troye!

And finally, the perfect ending to a perfect day. My friend and I were making our way out of the hotel to leave VidCon for good when we ran into Soundlyawake. My moth dropped; I was starstruck. Despite the fact that his physical presence made me forget his name and how to say anything other than "ohmygod," he was incredibly sweet and asked if I wanted a picture. He noticed my friend making a disappointed face after taking the first picture so he was like, "Oh, is the lighting bad? Let's take another one." None of the youtubers I met this weekend could compare to how nice he was. He deserves all the positive adjectives.

Thank you for reading about my VidCon adventures :) I hope to compile a list of tips and secrets for anyone who wishes to enjoy the event in the future. 

#VidCon2013 Day 1

So VidCon happened. Actually, it happened a month ago almost exactly. You might think that makes this post a bit late compared to most reviewers, but the entire trip was so perfect and dream-like that I couldn't possibly get all my thoughts on the subject into words so soon. Now that I'm at a significant distance from the weekend and I can safely drown in nostalgia, come with me down VidCon Lane!

Day 1

The VidCon schedule is so jam-packed with events, that it's impossible to be a part of everything that's going on. From panels to meetups, and signings to concerts, you can find your favorite youtuber in almost any situation. For my friends and I, the signings were our greatest interest since it allows you to say a few words to someone you admire and get a picture with that person (if the admin is nice enough to let you!). Because of this, we spent the first nine hours of our day in the expo hall.

First stop: Strawburry17! Meghan Camarena has been the female youtuber I've watched the longest, so naturally I headed to her line first. When she and her affiliates walked to their table, I waved at her brother David and he waved back and I cried...yeahhhhh I'm a professional fangirl. Meghan was so nice and I basically spewed my love for her and she listened to all of it. I hope her and Jimmy get married.

Winner for Most Dedicated to her Fans is Brittani Louise Taylor. She stood up to to hug her fans instead of sitting behind the signing table. I ran into her later happily talking with people in the bathroom, then at night she was saying hi to fans in the hotel lobby. Even more, I saw her meeting fans in the sponsor section of the expo hall the next day. She never stops!

Believe it or not, a friend of mine didn't know who Rebecca Black was until I told him about her a few days ago. To think he's never contemplated the options of what seat to take! Anyway, I discovered ol' Becky Black was very chill, despite her immense popularity at the gathering. When she went to sign my VidCon shirt, I told her there was vacant space next to a cat graphic and she got really excited. 

I heard Danielle Fishel was going to make an appearance somewhere, so I got out of line for Dan and Phil and found the Popsugar booth (the YT channel she's on). Not even two minutes later, she sat down behind the desk, lookin' perf (Do you see that hair!?!) and answered some questions from viewers. Guys, I was less than six feet from Topanga!!!

After waiting in line for FOUR HOURS to meet internet cult leaders Dan and Phil, here are the highlights:
- I handed each of them a note, to which Dan grabbed and set down on the gift table a few feet away. This gave me the perfect opportunity to admire his entire backside. Let me tell you, that boy fits a lot into those dark wash skinny jeans. He had love handles and I wanted to scream. *overcome with Dan feels*
- After Dan said he liked my hat, we had a conversation that went like this: ME: See that girl in the Doctor Who shirt right there? *points to my friend* Well she's never kissed a boy and I was wondering if you would be her first kiss. DAN: Ah, you know, I would, except there's like a pedophile law that says we can't.
- When my friends and I exited the queue I started crying. Legit sobs were coming out of me, I was so emotionally unstable from meeting them.

My friend and I ran into iamchrisc, and you'll see in day 2's post that I am his biggest fan.

One of the most hilarious and entertaining people on Youtube was filming a vlog when we saw her, so you can check out that epic moment here. We're doing her post-tea-sip-face, duh.

Whoa, this post is longer than a Zoella video and I haven't even mentioned half of the people I met on the first day of the convention. Other really cool things that happened were:

• Seeing The Boy Band Project perform. Check out their Cody Simpson cover; it's so good! 
• the DaveDays concert! See the iPhone in the middle of this video? My friend and I are the ones below it hyper-jumping like major corn balls. I just really have a soft spot for Dave...
• GIVING DAVE A HIGH-FIVE!

It was a fantastic day and I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Look forward to my recap of day 2 which was even more miraculous.

On Repeat: "Best Friends" - Dave Days ft. Chris C and MatthewDaMC
Currently Reading: The Triggering Town by Richard Hugo

Spit-Speckled Suicide

Today, I was assaulted.

I was just doin' my thang, gathering the necessary supplies for a hyped up version of rice krispy treats when  THE WORST THING EVER happened. As I used both hands to bring down a pan on the top shelf of my kitchen cupboard, I felt something on my left hand. I didn't have time to register what it was before I screamed and flung my hand away from a black something that was most definitely not supposed to be on my body.

But that wasn't the worst part. Oh no, sir.

After my scream, I felt a new weight in the back of my throat. Immediately, I had no doubt that the thing on my hand was a bug and it was currently in my mouth. I hurled that sucker out of my mouth, spitting all over the kitchen floor even after the bug dropped to the ground. I spit some more in the sink while swallowing water from the tap. Then I did the same in the bathroom sink, willing myself to throw up.

Only after a good 10 minutes of cleaning out my mouth did I have the guts to go back to the floor and take a look at what had violated my facial cavity. A beetle. A metallic, multicolored beetle as tall as a nickle is in diameter. You have to be really skilled to fling a bug from your hand into your mouth.

When my brother got home, he asked me who was more violated, me or the beetle? I thought about it. The poor guy must have been pretty freaked to have the little home he made in our cupboard vandalized by a giant. The short trip in my mouth probably wasn't that pleasant for him either. Still, I was not easy to make peace with Mr. Beetle. He was still alive and struggling to get out of the puddle of spit. I watched him suffer. I watched him crawl a yard to the rug under our kitchen table. I watched him disappear under the rug, where he suffocated himself to death. Suicide.

Mr. Beetle's one and only picture. R.I.P. ? - July 16, 2013

A google search told me it was a Japanese Beetle, which is a highly destructive plant pest. They were first found in the US in New Jersey in 1916. Thanks a bunch, New Jersey.


On Repeat: "When They Fight They Fight" - The Generationals
Days Until California: 14 (2 WEEKS!!!)

Kitties and Eggs

Who spent all her money today? This girl did! There's something about being on vacation and venturing into a street of gift shops that makes you go, "That's a nice keychain of a stuffed cat. I need that keychain kitty. I most definitely have five dollars to spend on that." Of course, this happens with every item that catches your fancy, until eventually your arm is weighed down with shopping bags full of stuff you'd never allow yourself to buy if you were at home. It's all good though, because I bought my mom some stuff and she bought me even more stuff, so really, the love was more than shared today.

My dad and brother headed on a two-day hike in the mountains, so my mom and I got to spoil ourselves with fancy chocolate and handmade jewelery. Before we gave up our wallets though, we started the day by drinking tea while overlooking this fantabulous river. The tea, by the way, was Celestial's Cinnamon Apple Spice and it was delicious ten times over.  We then walked into town and spent the next several hours doing what I described above: blowing our money on things we don't need. (All shopping is blowing your money on things you don't need though. You don't really need those earrings or that bottle of wine.)

The very best part of my day was the burger I had for dinner. Ohmygod I am salivating just thinking about it. I know I've said this about other meals I've had, but I am telling the truth now: the Beaumont Gourmet Burger form the Beaumont Grill is the best thing I have ever eaten. Dear lord, I have never tasted anything so good.  The menu description says it best (mostly because I have no idea what some of the stuff is): Rocky Mountain Certified Angus Beef grilled to order & layered with Crispy Pancetta, Gruyere Cheese, Soft Fried Egg, Crispy Leeks, & Stoneground Mustard Aioli served with House Fries. Say what? It was the egg that sold me, since I've never heard of an egg on a burger and sweet jesus I do not want to know a beef patty without one from this day forward. I would pay $30 for that burger. I would fly from Michigan to Colorado just to have that burger again. And the fries? Best I've ever had.

And now for the fun stuff...CATS! 

My kitty, Mr. Baldy Legs, so rudely interrupting my packing.

This precious muffin got to sleep with me while I stayed at my cousins' house.

Fuzzy lives at his mother's store and walks down the street to check what other animals have peed in the alley.

Are these posts even enjoyable to read? Should I just stick to writing in a journal? Is my writing too technical? Do I lack voice? Honest comments would be nice. Except no one ever reads this far, so I will never know what my readers want. Oh, but you're still reading, are you? Would you like a secret for being such a good friend? Ok...I don't like the Beatles. I think they're awful.

On Repeat: "Swim Until You Can't See Land" - Frightened Rabbit
Days Until California: 35

Whistle Pig

I've been at our vacation spot in Colorado for two days now, and already I've used half a box of tissues and set a personal record for sucking down five Halls in less than two hours.  My face is so raw from constantly blowing my nose, that it burns at the slightest touch, making me look like I dived face first into a poison ivy bush. Having a severe cold makes sleeping nearly impossible, and the sore throat makes a punishment out of verbalizing anything more than a grunt. I'm miserable, but I'm hanging in there*.

Today, my dad drove our family up and down a mountain in his Sierra Pickup. It sounds really lame the way I said it, but I don't know how else to explain it. They call it four-wheeling over here, meaning you're driving off road in extreme conditions. It's definitely not for everyone, but I enjoy the thrill of it. The switchbacks are often so narrow, that only one vehicle can drive through at a time. So if two vehicles are headed towards each other, you better hope there's enough space between the mountain and the edge for both of you, or else you're screwed. Our trip took almost the whole day, and we got to explore the remains of a Ghost Town from 1906 and delight in finding a lake in the valley of a mountain.

The views are absolutely stunning. It's crazy to think that places like this exist in our world. I've never been out of the country, or swam in a coral reef, or backpacked through the forest of America's tallest trees. But seeing the mountains this close, actually driving through them and realizing you're thousands of feet higher than you've ever been in your life...it's truly amazing.

A little treat to share with you: I peed in the woods for the first time today! It was awkward and uncomfortable and seemingly unethical, but after it was over with, I felt kind of powerful. This is what you men have been experiencing your whole life?

*Hanging in there. What does that even mean? Obviously it's a common enough phrase because it's the first way I thought to end the sentence and I was satisfied with it. We've all heard it used before, many of us use it on a daily basis, but do we know what it really means? Where it originated?

On Repeat: "Wolf Creek Pass" - C.W. McCall (It's a Colorado favorite; don't judge me)
Days Until California: 36

We do modeling on the side

Unless walking around parks or renting old movies from the library is your thing, there really isn't a lot of free entertainment in suburban Michigan. Though it's fun at first, spending the last of your cash on Dulce DeLeche ice cream cones at Oberweis or tickets to a matinee movie gets old really fast.  So in the summertime especially, you have to get creative with what you and your friends do to hang out. A few days ago, my friends and I pulled the sundresses out of our closets, made some sandwiches, and had ourselves a jolly ol' time frolicking around the gardens of a historical museum near our city. We had a picnic in the Oriental Garden and then went to one of the many fountains for a photo shoot! We are not photographers and we are certainly not models, but we do know how to be goofy and work a tripod...

Will I get worm disease from standing in such dirty water?

Mustard & Ketchup! My friends are gorgeous.

My friends are 5'9" and 5'11" while I'm a measly 5'3", which means I usually stand in the middle. We shorties get special treatment when it comes to posing for pictures. Woo!

This was probably one of the best things I did this summer so far, so we plan on doing it again sometime with more people.  Unfortunately I got sunburn really bad on my shoulders, plus the perfect white line going down the center from the straps of my dress. What a dodo I am. 

Look forward to more pictures, as I'm in Colorado at the moment. Or don't expect anything, because I can never seem to hold up to my plans on this blog. Only time will tell.

*starts singing Asia's "Only Time Will Tell"...you're leaving now, it's in your eyes...*

On Repeat: "Kiss On My List" - Hall & Oates

Currently Reading: Girl Meets Boy by Kelly Milner Halls

Days Until California: 39