A strange and magical thing happened to me at NDK this year. Something that warrants a story.

I freely admit, I don't make a lot of money at my current job. I seriously blew through more than a paycheck at this con. But one of the things I wanted was a conshirt, since I hadn't picked one up last year. That's when I saw the shirt pictured above. I saw the mid-length sleeves, two-tone design, and the fantastic print and had to have it.

I take my prize with me through the convention, rolled up and held together with a rubber band. I had planned on catching the Bandai panel to see what cool stuff was coming out. But, I got there way too early. Oh well, there's benches, I'll just veg out for a while and wait for my friends to show up.

Some time goes by, the line starts to form, I get up and meet my friends. We stand there for a bit chatting when I start to get that feeling that I'm forgetting something. Oh crap! I don't have my shirt! I dash back over to the bench, but it's already gone. I hang my head, knowing I don't have the funds to purchase a second one, and I go back to the line. The rest of the day is pretty gloomy for me, let me tell you.

On a lark, I head over to operations to see if they have a Lost and Found. I have no hopes here. Who would turn in such a cool shirt? That's free con swag right there.

"Hey, um... did anyone turn in a con shirt? The one with the black sleeves?"
"Was it rolled up with a rubber band?"
my face when: o -O?! "A large??"
"Yeah, found on a bench over by [room]."

I have no idea who you are. I have no idea if we have or ever will meet. But that day, at that moment, you made my whole con. You, who went to the trouble of turning in a lost item instead of just keeping it.

Whoever you are, you rock. Seriously! Thank you.