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WOOOOO! The time that I have been waiting for all year has finally come! I sit, eagerly hopping in my seat. The flight attendant watches me with a concerned eye as if she fears I will end up jumping right out of my seat, (Ya, like that could happen in a airplane packed as tight as a can of sardines.) My mind is racing, I can’t think of anything else, not the pointed, jagged mountains beneath me, nor the fact that I am flying above the clouds, racing even the sun as I shoot from my home in Square Butt, Montana. The small buds in my ears are screaming at the top of their lungs the music of my recent favs who will be performing live: The All Mighty Giants, Laughing and Gagging, Second Degree Sweetness, Collon Mcgollon, and Rock Soup are all playing, one after another, the mesmerizing beat is almost sickeningly sweet.

Oh, by the way, my name is Lisa Morgan, but you, my online friends might know me better as the infamous Mint Meow. Have you guessed where I am going now with a pocket full of money, a bag half full with three very special costumes and some normal clothes for the ride back (since obviously normal people don’t understand the need for such ornate costumes, save for Halloween.) Come on, have you guessed it yet?

My camera is in my hand, my pointer finger, oh that finger, twitches eagerly over the button to take a picture. I can hardly wait! Come on have you guessed it yet!? I’m going to Baka Con!

WELCOME TO THE 10 TH ANNUAL BAKA-CON!

Taking place every year on the same three dates (July 2,3, and 4th) and ending with the traditional setting off of fireworks! Baka Con is a special convention that takes place in Tukwila, Washington. It is the biggest, growing convention in the entire North West! Everyone who is anyone who loves anime will be there! So grab your costume, come along, make new friends, and enjoy Baka-con!

Reserved

My name is Dan Summers and I was invited to go to my very first convention by someone whom I met online. Nervous is a mild way of describing it when you think about it.

After high school I tried to join the ARMY and made it fairly far until that final test of physical fitness. I was never able to fully make the requirement and although I have no proof of it but I wondered at times if that drill sergeant never let me pass because he was worried about me in a real war. After I made it home to a grateful mother I found myself needing a distraction to pull away from my inability to reach my previous goals. So I went online and found some things to ease my depression. One of the sites had a link to a post based community that I decided to try out.

It happened so fast. She was like an angel descending down from the internet to save me from my own sorrows. She called herself Mint Meow on the site and although initially she greeted me due to the interests I posted we soon became great friends. Then came the day she told me her plans in July. She was on her way to Baka-con and seemed so excited I guess I got swept up in the energy.

So here I am on a plane by myself on my way to meet a girl who helped open my eyes to a world where fans celebrate their favorite animations by dressing up as them. I have had very little experience with this Japanese animation save for the stuff they showed on TV and some stuff online.

I wonder what will happen if I get lost or upset my friend. It is one thing to be friendly online but what if I come off as a failure like I felt after I got booted from the ARMY? Only time will tell. So all I can do is fight through the butterflies flying kamikaze into my stomach walls and do everything I can to the best of my ability. I said I would meet her and I am determined to see it through to the end. If God wanted this to happen it will I reassure myself as I look out the window and see a city below me that appeared small from this perspective.

I am Nathaniel Weber. My parents know me as Ethan, my Math teacher by Aaron, my English teacher as Robert, and my friends as Webster. Online, I can be The Jester, Stonemason, Techine, Narssis, Alexander, or Ain, depending on where you know me.

This I am typing from a train bound to Baka Con, an event I’ve been saving for all year. The other passengers heading to more, mundane, destinations look at me curiously. I have changed my clothes three times since boarding this train, from old school mobster, to hippie, to casual athlete. That combined with the fact that I will randomly get up and blade down the aisle to stay in practice for my character has easily set me out of the norm in these people’s minds. If any of you, my dear friends are heading to Baka Con, well, you just might see me there. Or maybe you won’t.

Nathaniel looked out the window, posting the entry online on his laptop. He couldn’t wait for this, but his train wouldn’t arrive for maybe an hour or so.

Out of breath Lisa lay her hand flat against one of the great pillars in the crowded hallway. "Whew." She sighed and checked the blue watch around her wrist. "Right... on... time..." She panted with a glance at the nearest directory screen. Lisa stood up and looked around the crowded area. There was a plane unloading outside. Lisa's heart raced. She checked the flight number with the one in her notebook. They were the same. "Dan," She whispered looking at the door where people were starting to enter the airport. She opened her book to the page with his picture. She knew it well enough, but to have it there before her was reassuring.

Lisa stood up on tiptoe to look at the people filtering in though the small door. She nibbled her lip nervously. It was then that she saw a boy, being pushed along by the surging crowd. Her heart jumped clear into her throat. "I-It's him." She said, her shaking hand reaching up to her head. "Oh gosh." She began to whine softly. "I must look dreadful." Frantically she tried to fix her hair, all the while keeping Dan in sight. She didn't have time.

With a wide smile and a flurry of skirt, hair, and bags she rushed at him. Her thought was to give him a big hug, and to hold him for a moment before letting go. Would this be alright? They were affectionate towards each other over the internet. Would it be okay to act this way here too? There was no time for thought though. He was just a little before her now. "Dan!" She squealed, alerting him before she jumped forward with her new found energy. She made contact, and almost instinctively her arms wrapped around him. "Oh, it's so good to meet you at last!" She buried her face into his clothes, hiding it from view until he acknowledged her being, well her.

Thinking fast Lisa pulled Dan back from the crowd a little so they were clear of the stampede. She pulled away from him slightly, just enough so that she could look up into his face. Her own cheeks were speckled with red color, and her hazel eyes danced with all the joy her heart felt. This was her first real hug from a guy. She wouldn't let him know that though. "The one and only." She chirped looking up into his face and memorizing everything. "How are you? How was the flight?" She asked, placing her hand on his shoulder and smiling the entire time up at him.

Lisa was at a loss for words. She simply looked up at him with her mouth hanging open slightly. This was the first time she had heard those words too. Lisa closed her eyes and closed her mouth. She blushed warmly and opened her eyes again. "And you are just as charming as you are online." She said feeling drawn to his kindness.

She rubbed his arm gently and nodded in understanding. "I am sorry that you had a nervous flight, was it because you were worried about meeting me?" She asked looking straight into his eyes, a power she had never had before. He really was adorable.