San Diego: Tokidoki Style (Part I)

I'm happy to be back home. ^_^ I figure that since I had so many different experiences in San Diego, I should probably split up my entries so I can organize my thoughts.

Bittersweet on the Sidewalk

This entry is dedicated to my Tokidoki experience. When Beth and I arrived in California and Kathryn picked us up, Beth casually mentioned my wanting to go to Los Angeles for Simone's signing that was taking place on Sunday. Kathryn thought it sounded cool and said she wouldn't mind driving the three of us to L.A. I couldn't believe it. I was so unbelievably happy. When Sunday rolled around, we all got up early, made the pilgrimage to L.A., and waited for the fun to start. (The photo to the left is of me holding my new messenger bag while I waited in line on the sidewalk to see Simone. I think that was the only smile I made that day. Another photo of me was taken of me looking miserable on the sidewalk-- a good counterpart to this one.)

Well, the fun never exactly started. I was pumped. They seemed pretty excited, too. On the drive there, I noticed that I was starting to get cramps-- not a good sign. I tried to put the thought behind me and focus on the next few hours that were ahead of me but it wouldn't work. As soon as we arrived in L.A., spotted Terra (the store Simone was signing at), and found a parking spot, I darted into Terra. There were about ten people waiting in line outside to see Simone but I still had about 20 minutes until he would start seeing people. The store allowed customers to still come in so they could purchase Tokidoki merchandise they could have signed. I went right to the counter to find a Tokidoki messenger bag. (Oh, I knew what I wanted.) I looked at a couple of bags and picked a bright pink one that had the cutest designs on it... ever.

Simone Legno

As happy as I was to get it, I couldn't help but look around for the bathroom while I paid. After I did that, I asked an employee to use the bathroom. The employees seemed skeptical about taking me back, but after some hesitation, one of them agreed to take me back to the only bathroom. On my way back, I looked into a room on the left and saw someone-- Simone sitting at a table with a few other people. I grinned, thinking how cool it was that I got a sneak peek at him before anyone else could. After that, I went into the bathroom and found a surprise: I was lucky enough to get my period. YAY. I was pissed and the cramps had only started to hit. When I opened the door, this huge bodyguard was standing to my left. He had appeared out of nowhere. He must have sensed my surprise (and my distress) because he asked, "Are you oh kay?" I told him I was fine and smiled. Beth and Kathryn waited for me outside and I joined them to wait in line so I could officially meet Simone.

Simone With... ME.

Let me add right now that I'm not a normal girl who gets normal periods. (Sorry to any guy that comes across this entry.) When I get mine, I get it bad. I get full out sick: fever, cramps, throwing up, etc. I had to rush to the Indian food restaurant a few stores down just so I could throw up and then go wait back in line. They let a few people in at a time and after about two hours of waiting (even though there were only 20 people there at the time) I finally got to meet Simone. He was so incredibly sweet and bashful. I loved it! He had what I expected: a thick, Italian accent and adorable piercings. When I gave him my Lesportsac bag to sign, he decided to personalize it for me even more by adding a picture of a flower/cactus with slanted bangs because I had slanted bangs. He pointed out this by saying something like, "See, I made flower have slant bangs because you have slant bangs." Simone then proceeded to point to my hair. He signed TWO parts of my bag and the free Tokidoki bag I received for making a purchase at Terra. This bag is one of my prized possessions.

I was in heaven.

My Tokidoki Bag!

I was in heaven for about five minutes until hell hit. From then on, I could barely walk or not throw up. Since we were in L.A., we were far away from home so I couldn't go lay down. Instead, Beth and Kathryn suggested that we go to the mall a few blocks down and get some food-- they figured it would help how I felt and looked. I ended up having to lay down in the middle of a parking garage because I almost fainted right before we got on an elevator. We later walked around the mall asking, no, begging, people for Advil or Midol but no one had anything until we found a girl behind a makeup counter with some Tylenol. At the food court, while Beth and Kathryn were getting food for themselves, I called Mom and just couldn't help but cry. I had been looking forward to a day like that for so long... and it was ruined because of a stupid period. The pain was unbearable and it was hard being so far away from home with no comfort whatsoever. She helped calm me down and, thank god, we left soon after we ate. I didn't start to get better until half the trip home was over with.

The day was wonderful and beautiful, horrible and ugly, all at once. So bittersweet... yet all I can think is: I love my Tokidoki bag. Now there's the most optimistic thing that could possible come out of someone after a day like that. (I'll post photos of my whole bag later on...)

More about the rest of my trip will be added tomorrow.

Comments

[meep!]

aw i feel you..i get debilitating cramps every month :(

looks like you still had a bit of fun though...and HOW CUTE is the little cactus he drew???

[steelie]

Sorry if this seems pseudo-typical guy of me (having never gone, nor ever going through what you just described)... but you say your day was ruined by your period... It could have been worse. You could have gone all the way down to San Diego, gotten your period, been miserable and never have gotten to see Simone when you were so close.

(Yes, I have been accused of being overly “half-glass-full” sometimes)

Happy for you that you got to meet Simone.
--
steelie

[Lauren]

Misty- Ugh, it really sucks, huh? I'm over it though and I still have good memories from that day. And ohmygod yeah, the drawing is so adorable. =D

Steelie- Yeah, I definitely agree with you-- it could have been worse. Like I said, I feel like I was pretty optimistic under the circumstances. And don't worry, I'm usually the "glass half full" kind of person, too, so I know where you're coming from. It's hard describing what I go through some months because most guys and even many girls don't know how bad it can really get. I will say though: that pain was totally worth it. Thanks, Steelie!

[diona]

oh honey, sorry it wasn't a completely happy day! :/ being a female has it's sucky drawbacks huh? <3

[Zannah]

I'm so sorry that it wasn't as good of a day as it could have been...
:( but let me just say how utterly jealous I am that you got to go!!

[glitterbat]

Aww, sucky periods ruin everything. Still though, it sounds like you had a great time, despite the evil demon beast.

I adore the print on that bag!

[Lauren]

Diona- Thanks hon! And yeah, lucky for us... those drawbacks hit every month. ^.~

Zannah- Thankies. ^^ I hope you get to do something like that someday!

Glitterbat- Hahaha. I love it: "evil demon beast." And I can't wait to take better photos of the bag. I forgot to before I uploaded the other ones.

[Anise & Cloves]

Gah~ I'm sorry you had to start your period at such an inconvenient time.  I have abnormally horrid periods myself and have to heavily medicate myself to get through the first few days. TwT;

But! I'm glad that some tokidoki goodness brightened up your day!

[iheartpink]

I hate demonic periods. They suck. Simone is really nice, I've never met him but we've sent emails back and forth (idle chitchat, about possible belt buckles.).

[Lauren]

That's really cool how you've talked to him through the internet. I like how artists and authors are so personal with their fans. It just makes them seem more human, you know? I hope you get to meet Simone someday-- he's a sweetheart.

[Celena]

oh lauren, i'm so sorry your experience meeting simone had to be somewhat ruined by your period.  my first day is always horrible, but i've never gotten throw-up sick from it!  that is terrible!  poor thing, i feel for you.  but you were a trooper and didn't let it keep you from meeting simone and enjoying every second of the encounter.  ^_^ 

your bag is <b>gorgeous</b>!  i'm so happy for you!

[Ailinalei]

I love Simone too!  Sorry about your period but hey...at least Simone made your day! 

I missed meeting Simone at Comic Con and at Kid Robot.  The first time I met him was at Nordies in LA, the second at Nordies at South Coast Plaza, and I will see him again at Topanga for another signing.  Will you be going?  I can't wait to see him again!!!