For one of my English classes this semester we have to write a short memoir. It's a creative writing class and it's completely outside my comfort zone so I'm struggling with adapting my writing to something so forgiving. I decided I would go ahead and post my memoir for you, and let you tell me what you think. It isn't due for a few weeks so I'd love to hear whatever feedback you have to offer! Anything is helpful :)
Fandom
of the Convention
I was
unkindly awakened by the sound of my phone's unforgiving alarm, screeching and buzzing on the table beside me. The plushness of a mattress much
softer than my own reminded me I wasn't at home. The memories
of the previous day's eight hour car drive that consisted of junk
food and pop songs slowly trickled through my thoughts as I rolled
over and slid my fingers clumsily over my phone's screen to silence the alarm. I groaned softly into my pillow before throwing my blankets unceremoniously off myself and performing
my morning bathroom routine. As I groggily stumbled through the hotel
room to the single window I heard Katherine stir in her nest of
blankets and pillows. I pulled the curtains apart with a sudden
excitement that had been hiding just below the surface.
It was
the day I had been counting down to for almost six months; the day
that would mark one of the larger milestones of my life. I was making
the pilgrimage that so many had tread before me, marking their paths
with Doctor Who shirts,
posters of their favorite comic book heroes, autographs from
celebrities known for making being a nerd cool. My turn had come to
stand in the hour-long lines to catch a quick glimpse of Matt Smith
and Karen Gillan discussing their favorite time-traveling moments; to
hear my favorite authors speak about their upcoming novels; to walk
the crowded floor of the convention center and pick up item after
item of geeked out goodies.
I took
two steps from the window to Katherine's bed before I leapt into the
air and, landing with an “Umph,” that shook the bed like a small
earthquake, I whispered, “It's here. Today is finally here!” I
shook her violently, with the same gusto I used when I was a child to shake my parents
on Christmas morning. “Wake up!” I yelled. “It's time to get
ready! We have to leave in 45 minutes so we can get a good spot in
line!” “What time is it?” Katherine grumbled without looking
up. “It's 6:15. We have to go! Come on! We have to find parking and
everything!” Katherine glared at me from beneath her fortress of
pillows with a look that dared me to shake her again. I crossed my
arms and warned, “I'll give you 10 more minutes, but you knew what
you were signing up for.”
I dug
through my drawers for what seemed like hours, searching for the
perfect outfit and finally deciding on a pink shirt with a
criss-cross pattern on the back and a pair of jeans. I pulled out my
shiny black Pumas that had barely seen any wear throughout their life
and suddenly realized, “I forgot to bring socks!! Katherine, did
you bring socks?” “Of course I brought socks. You told me to
bring my ugly running shoes. Looks like you didn't plan for
everything,” Katherine spat angrily. “Look, I know it's early,
but it'll be worth it. Can I borrow a pair of socks?” I pleaded.
There was a long pause while Katherine sat up in her bed. “Sure. I
brought an extra pair, they're in my bag.” She unsteadily got to
her feet and stumbled into the bathroom to complete the same morning
ritual I had just accomplished ten minutes earlier.
I gave
Katherine some space to wake up while I slid on her socks and
tightened the laced on my Pumas. I had never worn them for anything
other than running, but I knew I'd need something more comfortable
than my Toms since I was going to be standing on my feet all day. I
looked at myself in the mirror and decided that being in humid San
Diego would mean a ponytail hairstyle was a must. I also figured that
I might see some celebrities that day so I should try my best to look
as presentable as one can at six in the morning.
By the
time I was finishing with my makeup, Katherine was dragging herself
out the bathroom and attempting to tame her hair. “You should wear
your Hunger Games t-shirt.” I told her. “I didn't bring it. It
needed to be washed and I didn't manage to do laundry before I
packed.” I could tell she was disappointed so I offered to let her
wear mine. “It's okay,” she said wistfully, “I'll just wear
something else. Maybe I'll pick something up today and change at the
convention center.” I thought that was an awesome idea and agreed I
might do the same.
We had
both finished getting ready and I checked the clock. 6:45 and we were
right on schedule. I packed up my backpack with snacks and water,
knowing that even though Katherine denied wanting anything then she
would want something later. We pulled on our sweatshirts and made our
way down to the car in the parking lot. We drove in silence towards
the center of downtown in hopes of finding a parking spot somewhere
close. Of course, with our luck and poor planning, we could only find
parking in a lot about a half a mile away that charged $40 for the
whole day. “Are you sure we should park here for the day?” I
asked Katherine. “I don't know, you're the one who wanted to park
around here. What do you think we should do?” she asked
disdainfully. “I guess we could just park here for the day and
split the cost? That's only $20 a person. Tomorrow we can find
something cheaper. We'll talk to people inside and see what they
recommend.” “Sure, whatever,” Katherine muttered. “Let's just
go. I'm getting cold just standing around.”
As we
finished paying for our parking pass a man dressed in a leather
knight's outfit sauntered up. “Awh man,” he groaned, “Forty
dollars for the whole day? That's ridiculous. I guess it's better
than having to leave the con mid-day to refill your meter or
something, right?” He nodded to us. Upon deciding the time saved by
paying a decent amount to park was worth it, the man slid his credit
card into the parking meter. “Have a good time today, ladies!” He
waved good bye, but all Katherine and I could do was stare at each
other in disbelief. At this point, Katherine and I were semi-woken
up, but the reality of the day still hadn't hit us. This stranger,
with his leather pants and plastic sword, illuminated the
authenticity of where we were for a brief moment. The air seemed to
stir, and despite the vast emptiness of the parking lot in front of
us, a glimmer of excitement crept its way into my limbs, stiff from
lack of sleep and the long drive the day before. We were almost
there.
The
convention center was still a good mile away from where we had parked
and with our small backpacks slung over out backs we made our way to
our destination. We cut through back alleys and down side streets,
whispering to each other as we came across more and more of our
peers, all dressed in costumes ranging from the obscene to the
absurd. I could feel the buzz of excitement, the anticipation
dripping off of people the closer we came. My legs felt sore from all
the movement after remaining sedentary for such a long time, but I
couldn't stop now. I felt my heart pounding in my chest; I could feel
the crush of people around me, rushing towards the same place, eager
to stand in line waiting for our turn to enter like nerds waiting in
line for Comic-Con.
Katherine
and I finally reached the end of the serpent-like line, winding its
way around the convention center, over the pier and finally ending
right behind Starbucks. I breathed a sigh of relief at the free
moment to sit and take in everything around me. Families with
children dressed in miniature versions of their own costumes sat on
benches. Groups of friends, dressed as their favorite Anime
characters, played cards on the wet grass. Katherine and I quietly
talked about our plan for the day, or more accurately I talked while
she nodded in agreement. I had mapped out our entire weekend in hopes
that we wouldn't miss anything. Katherine moved unsteadily from foot
to foot as if the excitement inside was only a step away form
bursting out.
After an
excruciatingly long hour of fidgeting and standing around awkwardly,
the line began to move. I could feel my heart leap around inside my
chest, as if screaming at the top of its tiny lungs, “We are almost
there! We are almost there!” The line moved at a snail's pace as we
back-tracked our way to the front, following the same path we had
used to get to the end. The moment came when we were at the
beginning, standing just outside the doors that would lead us to an
alternate reality where nothing would be as it seemed. Within those
walls, you could be whoever you wanted to be. You didn't have to
worry about being too weird, or too passionate. As the man with the
blue shirt and name tag directed us through the doors I turned to
Katherine, a grin on my face and my eyes wide with excitement, and
said, “We have arrived!”