In June, I took a road trip to Los Angeles for the UCLA Extension Certificate Graduation, since I earned my Certificate in Screenwriting for Film! And I REALLY wanted to walk across the stage, since I wasn’t able to for my Bachelor’s degree.
A few weeks before my trip, my favorite podcast, Dungeons and Daddies, announced they were adding one last show to their east coast live tour, a stop in Los Angeles. The DAY BEFORE my commencement. So, obviously, I had to go. As a graduation present to myself, and as a treat for a rough year so far.
Before going to the show, I got to see one of my good friends Caleb, who I haven’t seen in almost two years. Despite that, it felt like no time had passed.
Then, I motored my way to The Wiltern, where Dungeons and Daddies were performing. I have to say, driving in LA was very, VERY anxiety inducing. There were so many unprotected left turns I almost cried. Sure, maybe I’m too used to driving in smaller cities, but still. It felt like LA drivers were more patient? But maybe that’s just me.
Dungeons and Daddies: The Areas Tour was one of the many, many highlights of this trip! As soon as I got checked in I started trading my d20s with the other fans. In return, I received a plethora of friendship bracelets, a crocheted mustache, stickers, a pair of sunglasses, and even some pins! It was so wonderful to be back in this community of weirdos.
The show itself was fantastic! There were not one, not two, but FOUR musical numbers! Two of them were performed by the cast members from the tie-in EPs they released in-character, and the other two were performed by Maxton Waller, the composer and performer of the show’s theme songs! At the beginning of the show, him and Freddie Wong performed the season three theme, “Hole in the Stars,” and then at the end they performed the season one theme, “Alright.” For the latter, most of the audience helped sing that one.
In this DnDads one-shot, called “The Good, The Dad, and the Ugly,” there was a water-drinking contest between two of the cast members, a mini court session, and a cowboy ballad song-off. Yes, during the Dungeons and Dragons show.
Afterwards, myself and the other audience members took selfies and had things signed–I was able to get a polaroid with the cast, and they signed it! Truly a great experience.
The next day was commencement day–but before that, I had to continue my tradition: visit a local bookstore, and buy too many books. I went to Skylight Books!
Commencement was great! It felt great to walk across the stage, and even make new friends while standing out in the heat. I’m glad that my friends and family were able to watch the livestream of commencement.
After, I drove to meet two people in person for the first time: Natalie and Denna, two classmates from my UCLA Extension classes. While we hadn’t had a class together in a while, we still kept in touch on social media, and would give each other movie or book recommendations.
Have you ever met someone and thought, “How have I lived my life up to this point without you in it?” Or even, “I have this deep feeling we’re meant to be close friends, almost like destiny”? That’s what I thought when I met Natalie and Denna for the first time.
I was late getting to the restaurant, since I was still not used to LA traffic and it still boggles my mind that a twelve mile trip through the city would take 45 minutes. But when I got there, they were sitting at a table, and waved me down like we were lifelong friends reuniting after a few years. From then, there wasn’t a moment of silence (unless we were eating or looking up a movie on our phones)–we were talking and joking like we had been friends for years.
Afterwards, we went to a local ice cream shop (which had a dispenser of Lactaid for those who needed it), and continued our discussions. We have similar tastes in movies and the philosophy of movies, and gave each other recommendations to watch. It was truly a special night.
The next morning I motored my way back to Oregon. I tell you what, going straight from LA to Oregon was a rough go, but I made it, and you better believe I napped HARD when I came home.
And that was my LA journey! Eternally grateful for the people who made this trip wonderful!
E. A. Young Writes 